Have you felt the tranquility wash over you as you approach An Quang Pagoda? This pagoda is not just a place of worship. It is a cornerstone of Vietnamese Buddhism. It stands here at 243 Su Van Hanh Street in District 10. An Quang Pagoda’s story began in 1948. Venerable Thich Tri Huu from Linh Ung Pagoda in Da Nang founded it. Initially, it was a humble shrine called Ung Quang Tu. It quickly evolved into a center for Buddhist learning.
In 1950, Venerable Thich Thien Hoa took over. He had returned from studying abroad. He constructed the main hall. He modeled it after Tu Dam Pagoda in Hue. For over half a century, he dedicated himself to the temple. He established a Buddhist school for education. He helped with the propagation of Buddhist teachings.
An Quang Pagoda has expanded over the years. The ancestral house was built in 1955. The lecture hall was reconstructed in 1959. The revered Main Hall was completed in 1966. The Golden Lotus Printing House was added. A Bodhi incense workshop was created. A library was established. The Huong Dao publishing house was founded. Architect Nguyen Huu Thien designed the pagoda. His design incorporated Vietnamese, Indian, Chinese, and Japanese architectural elements.
Inside the Buddha Hall, a statue of Buddha Shakyamuni sits in the center. It was crafted by the Buddhist disciple Minh Dung. The Xa Loi Pagoda stands nearby. Statues of the Dharma Protectors stand guard. A wooden statue of the Patriarch Bodhidharma is displayed. Lacquer paintings of Quan Am, Van Thu, and Pho Hien adorn the walls. Artist Truong Van Thanh created these paintings. Venerable Truong Dinh Y oversaw the architectural and decorative aspects.
An Quang Pagoda has two gates on Su Van Hanh Street. Each gate features stone pillars. These pillars are adorned with dharma wheels and green lions. The main building has three arched entrances. Red and green dragons decorate the entrances. Lotus petal ornaments add to the beauty. The green-tiled roofs curve upward. Red dragon ornaments line the eaves.
The ground floor once served as the headquarters. It was the headquarters of the Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam. Since 1981, it has been the headquarters of Ho Chi Minh City Buddhist Sangha. A wooden statue of Maitreya Buddha stands in the back. Lions guard a carved wood panel.
Upstairs in the Main Hall, a concrete statue of Gautama Buddha sits in meditation. The walls depict scenes from Buddha’s life. Statues of Dharmapala stand guard. The Ancestral House is behind the main building. It is a place of warmth. It is a place of reverence.
In 2009, a stupa was built. It honors the wisdom of Gautama Buddha, Ksitigarbha, and Guanyin. The seven-story stupa is adorned with cloud ornaments. Thien Hoa Lecture Hall has two floors. The windows are painted five colors. The Cultural Store sells Buddhist books and statues. The Guanyin Stupa offers a peaceful space.
An Quang Pagoda continues to play a vital role. It contributes to the development of Vietnamese Buddhism. It is a place of learning. It is a place of reconciliation. It is a place of peace in bustling Saigon. As you leave An Quang Pagoda, carry its peace with you. Remember its history. Remember its beauty.