Three hundred years. That’s how long Chùa Sắc Tứ Trương Thọ has stood. Imagine the stories these walls could tell.
Chùa Sắc Tứ Trương Thọ is more than just a beautiful Buddhist temple. It’s a living testament to resilience. Its history is a journey. A journey marked by relocation and rebuilding. It began in 1720. Founded by Hòa Thường Đại Năng in Hòa Mỹ village. This was in the Bình Trị district of the Tấn Bình prefecture in Gia Định city.
The temple was originally named Chùa Vĩnh Trường. It wasn’t always here in Gò Vấp. In 1859 French forces occupied Gia Định. The temple was moved. It found a new home in Gò Vấp. This location is where it remains.
Throughout its existence Chùa Sắc Tứ Trương Thọ has had several names. King Gia Long bestowed the name Sắc Tứ Pháp Vũ Tự. Later King Tự Đức renamed it Sắc Tứ Trương Thọ Tự. The temple has undergone numerous renovations. The most recent was in 1994-1995. The current appearance mostly reflects renovations from the late 19th century.
Within Chùa Sắc Tứ Trương Thọ lie precious artifacts. Two steles commemorate King Gia Long and King Tự Đức’s patronage. A remarkable gilded statue of Amitabha Buddha stands tall. It’s 1.8 meters high and lacks a pedestal. The temple also houses three statues considered its most important. These are the Earthly Threefold Buddha: Amitabha, Avalokiteśvara, and Mahāsthāmaprāpta. These are made of molded clay. They are some of the temple’s oldest treasures.
Other important statues include the Ten Thousand Buddhas. It’s made of baked clay. Then there’s the statue of the Bodhisattva Samantabhadra. This is also molded clay.
The temple is also home to unique artifacts. A large incense burner with two Han characters inscriptions provides intriguing historical details. One inscription translates to “Wishing for the peace and prosperity of the new city. May the village be peaceful forever.” The other says “The 17th day of the 8th month of the year of the Rat.” This refers to a significant lunar calendar date.
Today Chùa Sắc Tứ Trương Thọ is a National Historic-Cultural Relic. It continues to be a place of worship and reflection. It holds a special place in the hearts of the local community. It also provides a window into Vietnam’s rich history and culture. So step inside. Let the serenity and stories of Chùa Sắc Tứ Trương Thọ embrace you.