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Xa Loi Pagoda is one of the well-known attractions frequented by many travelers when visiting Ho Chi Minh City. The temple is designed with modern architecture yet still retains the cultural essence of Saigon. Moreover, it is a significant historical site marking the struggle between Buddhism and the discriminatory religious policies of Ngo Dinh Diem's regime. Today, let's explore this famous pagoda through the following article.
Unveiling the History and Architecture of Xa Loi Pagoda
Image of Xa Loi Pagoda when it was newly built in 1956 (Image source)
Commenced on August 5th, 1956, spanning an area of 2500 m2, the construction of the temple was initiated by the Indochina Club, which transferred ownership for a symbolic amount of one Vietnamese dong.
The primary purpose of building the temple was to honor the founder of the Xa Loi Buddhist sect and serve as the official headquarters of the Southern Vietnam Buddhist Association. Xa Loi Temple underwent a single renovation from 1999 to 2001, preserving its original architectural allure.
Image of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara statue at Xa Loi Temple (Image source)
The temple was designed by architects Tran Van Duong and Do Ba Vinh, featuring a prominent Main Hall and a seven-tiered Bell Tower at the entrance. The Main Hall boasts spacious interiors, designed for optimal ventilation and natural light, enhanced by high windows and vibrant yellow-toned stone walls.
Image of the Main Hall – Venue for events at Xa Loi Temple (Image source)
It can be said that this is the first multi-story temple in Saigon, marking the beginning of a new architectural style of Buddhism in Vietnam. On the Bai Dinh, under the Lecture Hall, and the roof of the Main Hall are traditional curved roof lines.
The components within the temple include: the triple gate entrance, the seven-tiered bell tower, the main hall, the lecture halls, the library, the administration offices, the guest quarters, the monk dormitories, the family meditation areas, the scripture publishing rooms, the bathrooms, and the serene gardens.
Image of the Triple Gate entrance and seven-tiered tower at Xa Loi Temple (Image source)
The Main Hall spans 15 square meters in width and 31 square meters in length, adorned with 14 paintings depicting the life story of the Buddha from his birth to enlightenment. These paintings, made with colorful paint, are very vivid, appearing almost like reliefs.
Especially, on the Main Hall, there is a stupa made of jade, shaped like a lotus leaf. This is where the Xa Loi jade of Lord Buddha Thich Ca is kept, which is why many tourists come to visit this temple.
Image of the Xa Loi jade placed right on the Buddha statue (Image source)
The front side faces the main Triple Gate entrance towards Ba Huyen Thanh Quan Street. While the secondary Triple Gate entrance opens to Su Thien Chieu Street. The distinctive feature of Xa Loi Temple compared to other temples in Saigon is right next to the main Triple Gate entrance is the seven-tiered Bell Tower towering 32 meters high. It attracts a lot of attention from tourists as well as passersby.
Another unique aspect that you might notice is that the temple does not have couplets. However, to compensate for this absence, there are other precious spiritual treasures here such as:
The Main Hall of Xa Loi Temple houses only one large statue of Buddha Thich Ca Mau Ni (Image source)
- A silver tower containing the Xa Loi jade of Reverend Hoat Phat Chương Gia Đại Sư, brought from Taiwan and presented to the temple on December 11, 1960, by the monk Diễn Bồi.
- A copper spire in the style of ancient towers, rediscovered buried deep in Indian soil during the 18th century. This spire was presented by Mr. S. Gupta, the Consul General of India in Vietnam, on behalf of the organizing committee of the Buddha Jayanti celebration, and gifted to the Head of the Southern Vietnam Buddhist Association at Xa Loi Temple on August 25, 1957.
Image of the pinnacle of the seven-tiered tower at Xa Loi Pagoda (Image source)
- A horizontal inscribed board bearing the four Chinese characters 'East excellent Dharma rain' handwritten by Empress Từ Hy, purchased by Mr. Bùi Văn Thương, the Ambassador of the Republic of Vietnam in Tokyo from Japan and gifted to the temple in March 1963.
Not only a unique architectural masterpiece, but Xa Loi Pagoda also serves as an important center of Buddhist scholarship in Vietnam. Here, a priceless relic is preserved: a palm-leaf manuscript inscribed in Pali script on O-boi leaves (Areca nut) dating back over 1,000 years. Measuring 45 cm in length, 6 cm in width, with holes at both ends for threading, its cover is intricately adorned with gold leaf patterns on lacquered wood, encased in a multicolored silk cloth.
Image of the Pali scripture manuscript at Xa Loi Pagoda (Image source)
This scripture set was bestowed upon Venerable Thich Quang Lien by the Tich Lan senior monks' council after studying abroad for 5 years. Upon returning home, he gifted it to the Southern Vietnamese Buddhist Association as a testament to the Dharma's presence at this national level. It contains the noble words of the Lord Buddha when he commenced teaching in the city of Benares for the five ascetic monks to hear.
For the Vietnamese people in general and the faithful in Saigon in particular, this temple is not only a place of Buddhist worship but also a center of cultural education, a serene tourist destination frequented by many visitors.
So where is Xa Loi Pagoda located?
The distinctive feature of Xa Loi Pagoda is its seven-tiered tower - a Saigon tourist spot (Image source)
The temple is located at 89 Bà Huyện Thanh Quan Street, Ward 7, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City.
Phone: 083.9307438 - 083.9300114.
Email: [email protected] - Website: www.chuaxaloi.vn
From the center of Ho Chi Minh City, tourists only need 30 minutes by bus route number 54 (from Mien Dong Bus Station to Cho Lon Bus Station) to reach Xa Loi Pagoda in District 3.
For those traveling by their own vehicles, there are 2 route options available.
- Via Cong Hoa and Hoang Sa: Take Truong Chinh and Cong Hoa to Ut Tinh in Ward 4. Then turn left at Lotteria Hoang Sa onto Hoang Sa. Drive to Ba Huyen Thanh Quan in Ward 7 to reach Xa Loi Pagoda.
- Via Truong Chinh and Hoang Sa: Take Truong Chinh and Hoang Sa to Rach Bung Binh in Ward 9. Then drive to Ba Huyen Thanh Quan in Ward 7 to reach the pagoda.
Hopefully, through this article, you have gained some useful information about Xa Loi Pagoda, one of the famous spiritual tourism destinations in Ho Chi Minh City. Have a pleasant trip!
