Hoang Phap Pagoda has an area of 6ha and is located in Tan Hiep Commune, Hoc Mon District, Ho Chi Minh City. The Pagoda has existed for over a half-century now. It is not only beautiful about the landscape but also beautiful about the morality of the founder. Pagoda is also a place attracting the Buddhists in Saigon and nearby regions.
The three-arched entrances gate of Hoang Phap Pagoda has oriental architectural style – red tile, bent roof, but neater. Above, in the middle entrance has word line: “Chùa Hoằng Pháp”. Hoang Phap pagoda has the large campus with many tall tree and shadow.
Buddha Temple has the width of 18m, the length of 42m. The total area is 756m2. Buddha Temple is built according to modern architectural style connecting with traditional architectural style. The temple has 2 red tile roof layers bent at corner. Whole foundation, pillows, ceiling, and roofs are built of cement and steel. The walls are built of bricks, the outside surface painted and the inside surface stuck of glazed-brick and the foundation stuck of granite.
Two sides of steps leading to Buddha Temple has 2 big lions made of cement. Two sides of the door are 2 carvings carving 2 Vajrapani Bodhisattva with a strong body and a firm face the same as an athlete.
The front compartment of Buddha Temple worships Shakyamuni Buddha sitting on a lotus base with meditation posture, the height of about 4,50m. The above around the wall is 7 carvings made of cement describing the life of Buddha from being born to going into the nirvana.
In front of the altar is the encompass lines made of wood carving the picture “Nine dragons look at the moon”. Above the encompass, lines are book pictures also carved of wood. The middle one has the phrase “God and human beings’ teacher”. The left one has the word “compassion”. The right one has the word “wisdom”.
The hind Compartment of Buddha Temple worships Superior Buddhist Monk Ngo Chan Tu – The founder of Hoang Phap Pagoda. On the wall has 2 carvings describing his activity life. Two left and right sides are the altars of spirits.
Opposite Buddha Temple is the statue of Shakyamuni Buddha sitting under the Bodhi tree with meditation posture. The sight is simple and peaceful.
From the outside, looking at the Buddha Temple, on the left is Nhi Nghiem Tower – The place setting Superior Buddhist Monk Ngo Chan Tu’s bone. The tomb has a strange shape – cylinder shape with dome top. A short distance from the Tomb is the tomb tower of nuns, Next is large comfortable cool dining room having Hon Non Bo (Hon Non Bo is the Vietnamese art of making miniature landscapes, imitating the scenery of the islands) which causes the fresh cool atmosphere to the pagoda. Parallel is the female nursing home. The end is the kitchen.
From the outside, looking at the Buddha Temple, on the right is a tree garden with green lawn. Next to bamboo trees is Hon Non Bo with the height of over 10m and the width of 20m located on a water pool. Inside the pool, in the middle is the statue of Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva made of white marble with the height of 5m Next holding water bottle pouring down. Next is small Hon Non Bo in circle pool. Behind is Pho Do Tower – Place setting the bones of everyone passing by.
Behind Buddha Temple is Monk House and is also Explaining House which being able to contain thousands of people. In front of Monk House is a green lawn and a big old tree.
Every year Hoang Phap Pagoda organizes training courses for adults and students in order to develop their mentality and physicality. Each course has thousands of people attending. The pagoda has arranged scientifically from eating drinking, taking a rest, studying doctrine to meditating. Nowadays, Hoang Phap pagoda is considered as the biggest Buddhist training studying Center in Vietnam.
Buddha Temple was first built of wood and leaves by Superior Buddhist Monk Ngo Chan Tu in 1957. After having changed the waste land into cultivated areas for 2 years, the Monk rebuilt of bricks, 2 tile roof layers, the front looking forward to the northwest in 1959. Buddha Temple that we see now was built in 1999.
Superior Buddhist Monk Ngo Chan Tu has a real name as Tran Rinh. He was born in Thai Binh Province in 1901. He early met Buddhism and has followed Buddha’s way. He went to many places, restored and built many pagodas in the country. In 1957, He bought 6 ha in Tan Hiep Commune, Hoc Mon District and founded Hoang Phap Pagoda and started changing the waste land into a cultivated area. Since establishing the pagoda, he had carried out charitable activities to help human beings. He also wrote many books to propagate Buddhism. He passed by in 1988, having left much regret of Buddhists and people.
Nowadays, Superior Monk Thich Chan Tin leads Hoang Phap Pagoda. His real name is Nguyen Sy Cuong. He was born 1958 in Ha Bac Province and left home for Pagoda in 1973 with a lead of Great Superior Buddhist Monk Ngo Chan Tu in Hoang Phap Pagoda. With Superior Thich Chan Tin’s lead, Hoang Phap Pagoda is more and more developing.
Hoang Phap Pagoda has modern architectural style mixing with traditional architectural style, is located in a large campus having many green trees cool shade, is the place studying and practicing of ten thousands of Buddhists and is the destination of ten thousands of tourists every year. This place also used to have a moral and talented leader. Traveling to Ho Chi Minh City, you should spend the time visiting this special site.
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