Phước Thạnh Cổ Tự

Stepping back in time, imagine a secluded jungle in District 9, Ho Chi Minh City. It’s before 1900, and the only sound is the rustle of leaves in what was then known as Am Muc Dong. Phước Thành Cổ Tự stands silently, a testament to the resilient Chan monks who first established it here. The name Am Muc Dong translates to “Silent Jungle Hermitage,” a fitting description for this early sanctuary. These dedicated monks sought refuge from the noise and distractions of the world. They found solace amidst the trees and a nearby stream. Legend says their construction methods were quite ingenious. The monks used clay to create Buddha statues. They would playfully place them in the water, delighting in how they floated on the surface. This, it was said, was due to the lightweight nature of the clay. Eventually, locals, inspired by their devotion, formally established Am Muc Dong as a place of worship. Later, a monk named Thầy Khuê would renovate the hermitage. He renamed it Long Thanh Pagoda and would serve as its head monk. By 1922, the pagoda came under the leadership of Thầy Hưởng Niệm, also known as Thầy Hai Thần or Phan Văn Thần, who guided the community during its second era. He even played a part in the resistance movement against French rule. The pagoda burned down around 1943 when Thầy Nhứt Chuyên, the third head monk, became involved in the anti-French resistance. For nearly a decade, Phước Thành Cổ Tự lay in ruins. Then, around 1955, a dedicated group, led by Mr. Trần Văn Thân, known as Ông Ba Lớ, alongside local villagers and veterans, rebuilt the pagoda. They named it Phước Thành Tự and appointed Thầy Bửu Tín, born Nguyễn Văn Đạt, as the fourth head monk. Several more monks followed as head monks through the years. The war once again threatened the pagoda’s existence. It suffered significant damage during the Vietnam War. But like a lotus flower rising from the mud, Phước Thành Cổ Tự persevered. After the war, the pagoda saw renovations under the guidance of Hứa Thượng Bửu Ngọc and the local Buddhist community. Thầy Thiện Thước became the seventh head monk. In 1989, a significant change occurred. The local Buddhist authority, led by Đại Đức Thiện Đạo, the eighth head monk, officially took over the management of the pagoda under the recognition of the government. His efforts, combined with the support of Mr. Huỳnh Văn Sỏi (Tư Bảy Sỏi) and the local community, led to the grand and awe-inspiring structure you see today. Phước Thành Cổ Tự stands as a beacon of hope. It is a reminder of the unwavering spirit of those who sought peace and enlightenment in the silent jungle.