Hidden within the bustling city of Ho Chi Minh City, Chùa Chúc Thọ whispers tales of compassion and redemption. Chùa Chúc Thọ, also known as Chùa Chúc Đảo or Chùa Sau, rests on Cù Lao Phố island. It stands as a testament to the transformative power of a brush with the afterlife. This Buddhist temple, founded in the 18th century by a man named Võ Thọ Hoằng, or as he became known, Thọ Hương, began its life far from a place of peace.
Our story begins with Thọ Hương, a man of questionable morals who amassed wealth through unscrupulous means. He cheated, hoarded land, and exploited the poor. When his wife died, he performed the necessary rituals but felt little true remorse. One night, missing his wife, he sought out the realm of the dead. Guided by others, he reached a place called Mạnh Ma where, according to local lore, the living could speak with the departed. He reunited with his wife, but their reunion was short-lived. She led him down a chilling path to the underworld.
There, amidst the suffering souls, Thọ Hương witnessed the horrors reserved for those who lived a life of greed and sin. He saw his own fate, a large empty coffin waiting for him, a stark reminder of the path he was on. Shaken to his core, he returned to the land of the living a changed man.
Back in Trần Biên, Thọ Hương devoted himself to undoing his past misdeeds. He gave his fortune to the poor, built temples, and dedicated his life to helping those he had once wronged. He even established a free ferry service with food and shelter for travelers, a place that later became known as Nhà Bè. This act of compassion became a local legend, immortalized in the folk song: “Who goes to Nhà Bè, will eat sweet water, Thọ Hương’s bamboo raft.”
Chùa Chúc Thọ, the temple he built on Cù Lao Phố, still stands today. It was originally named Chùa Chúc Đảo and later changed to Chùa Chúc Thọ. The temple has undergone many renovations throughout the years, in 1882, 1921, 1943, 1950, 1954, and again in 1960 under the guidance of Thích Thiện Đức. It now boasts a modern structure while still retaining some ancient touches, such as two old towers within its grounds. Chùa Chúc Thọ holds three precious Buddha statues made of wood and a collection of terracotta Arhat statues from the 19th century.
The legend of Thọ Hương’s transformation from a corrupt official to a benevolent philanthropist continues to resonate. Some say his good deeds earned him a favorable rebirth. A later emperor, Đạo Quang, is said to have been born with the characters for “Đại Nam, Biên Hòa, Thọ Hoằng” on his palm, suggesting a karmic connection to the repentant Thọ Hương. Chùa Chúc Thọ remains a quiet haven in a bustling city, a reminder that even the most hardened heart can find redemption.