BỬU LONG PAGODA – ONE OF THE WORLD’S MOST BEAUTIFUL BUDDHIST TEMPLES

Between the mid-sixth and mid-fourth centuries B.C., Buddhism was founded in northeastern India and soon spread throughout the Asian subcontinent, influencing cultural and spiritual practices, art, and architecture.

When talking about Vietnamese Buddhism, most people immediately think of Mahayana Buddhism, which has deeply influenced the Vietnamese culture for many centuries. Buddhism may have first come to Việt Nam as early as the 3^rd or 2^nd century B.C. from the Indian subcontinent or from China in the 1^st or 2^nd century C.E. Most of Vietnamese Buddhism has had a syncretism relationship with certain elements of Taoism and Vietnamese folk religions.

However, the central and southern parts of present-day were originally inhabited by the Champa and Khmer people, respectively, who followed mostly Theravada Buddhism. You can easily find Theravada Buddhism architecture temples and pagodas in Sài Gòn or Mekong Delta. Today, we would like to recommend you one of the Buddhist pagodas among world’s most beautiful – Bửu Long Pagoda.

Built in 1942, Bửu Long Pagoda located on a hill by the Đồng Nai River bank in District 9, Hồ Chí Minh City. Its architecture now carries influences from India as well as other Southeast Asian countries like Myanmar, Thailand and Laos. In 2019, Bửu Long Pagoda was voted among top 20 most beautiful Buddhism temples in the world by National Geographic.

Visitors are not only impressed by its splendid architecture, decorated in gorgeous gold, but there is a fountain and a semi-circle lake in front of the pagoda, perfect for pictures. There are striking differences between Bửu Long pagoda and others found in Việt Nam.

One is that the use of incense and candles is not allowed within the premises. Another – only Buddha is worshiped in this temple, whereas other pagodas serve many deities.

On the top floor, you’ll see many revered relics from Buddha and his disciples. The relics are famous throughout the Buddhist world, and for a Buddhist, it’s a great honor to visit them. Be very respectful when visiting this room. The view from the top also gives you an idea of how rural District 9 still is.

One of beautiful Buddha statues in the middle of right bell tower.

Behind the pagoda is a big garden you can wander around.

Devotees come to the pagoda to participate in meditation sessions and chanting led by the monks. These visits are particularly important, as those living in the monastery rely on the daily food donations made by the congregation.

Chameleon-shaped dragon heads are among the many foreign elements incorporated into the temple’s design. Others include intricately patterned metal features, ubiquitous dharma wheels and, of course, the characteristic gilded towers.

I was told the peaceful atmosphere found at Bửu Long Pagoda is the result of two main factors: the temple’s cool, shaded location, and the energy produced by its resident monks during chanting and meditation.

The lush greenery which surrounds the temple complex is particularly striking during the wet season, when daily precipitation fuels plant growth and floral blooms, attracting a multitude of colorful butterflies to the area.

It all started with a sparkle on the horizon, a beam of solar brilliance bouncing off a garish metallic surface.

BỬU LONG PAGODA
Vietnamese name: Chùa Bửu Long
Address: 81 Nguyễn Xiển Street, District 9, HCMC, Việt Nam.
Opening hours: 08:00a.m. – 06:00p.m. (Daily)
Entrance Fee: Free of charge