Have you ever wondered about temples that have risen from ashes? Chùa Sắc Tứ Từ Ân is one such place. It stands as a testament to resilience and faith.
Today we are standing in front of Chùa Sắc Tứ Từ Ân. This temple is not just a building. It is a repository of history and culture.
Chùa Sắc Tứ Từ Ân has a story that began in the 18th century. Thiền sư Phật Ý founded it in 1752. It was initially located in the Chợ Đũi area. This area is now within Tao Đàn Park in District 1.
During the French invasion of Gia Định the original Chùa Sắc Tứ Từ Ân was burned down. However the spirit of the temple could not be destroyed. In 1870 a new Chùa Sắc Tứ Từ Ân was built. It was constructed in Phú Lâm which is now District 6. This new location helped continue the legacy. It also preserved artifacts from the old temple.
Thiền sư Phật Ý belonged to the Lâm Tế lineage. He brought the Bổn Nguyên branch to Southern Vietnam. On his journey he met another monk. They became brothers. Together they built a hermitage in Tân Lộc village. This village was also known as Hoạt Lộc or Chợ Đũi.
In 1752 Thiền sư Phật Ý transformed the hermitage into a temple. He named it Chùa Từ Ân. This name means “gratitude for Buddha’s compassion”. It symbolized peace and prosperity for the people. The unnamed monk also renovated his hermitage. He named it Chùa Khải Tường meaning “expanding blessings for all”.
During the Tây Sơn-Nguyễn Ánh conflict Chùa Từ Ân served as Nguyễn Ánh’s refuge. Chùa Khải Tường housed his concubines. Later King Minh Mạng honored Chùa Từ Ân with the title Sắc Tứ Tự Ân Tự in 1822.
Thiền sư Phật Ý passed away in 1821. His remains were placed in a tower within the temple grounds. Upon hearing of his brother’s death Thiền sư Thiệt Thành returned to become the abbot.
During the French invasion both Chùa Từ Ân and Chùa Khải Tường faced destruction. Chùa Khải Tường was seized. Chùa Từ Ân was burned. The monks managed to save some items. These relics were moved to the new temple near Ông Buông canal in District 6.
Today Chùa Sắc Tứ Từ Ân stands at 23 Tân Hóa Street. It is a treasure trove of cultural artifacts. Despite its modest architecture the temple holds invaluable historical items.
Inside Chùa Sắc Tứ Từ Ân you can see two horizontal lacquered boards. One is inscribed with “Sắc Tứ Từ Ân Tự”. The other says “Quốc Ân Khải Tường Tự”. The temple also houses ancestral tablets of past abbots. There are also hundreds of ancient scriptures in Chinese and Nôm.
One of the most precious collections is the “Ngũ gia tông phái ký toàn tập”. Hòa thượng Hải Tịnh compiled it in 1875. It is the first book to mention Buddhism in Gia Định and Southern Vietnam.
Throughout its history Chùa Sắc Tứ Từ Ân has been repaired many times. These renovations occurred in 2006 2010 and 2016. Today it remains a cultural and spiritual landmark.
Chùa Sắc Tứ Từ Ân is more than just a temple. It is a living museum. It embodies the history of Buddhism in Ho Chi Minh City.