Duoc Su Pagoda - The Century-Old Pagoda in Bac Lieu

Located in the beautiful land of Bac Lieu, Duoc Su Pagoda stands tall, surrounded by deep spirituality and an absolutely solemn atmosphere. This place is likened to a "crossroads" where traditional architectural features blend with fresh carvings in design. After more than 100 years, this pagoda has become a historical testament, "tasting" countless bittersweet ups and downs of the nation.

Overview information about Duoc Su Pagoda

Let's explore with NVK Travel what Duoc Su Pagoda is, its origins, and its role.

A brief introduction to Duoc Su Pagoda

Duoc Su Pagoda with its vast surrounding space

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The pagoda is located right on National Highway 1A, Xom Lon Hamlet, Chau Thoi Commune, Vinh Loi District, Bac Lieu Province (after merging, it is Chau Thoi Commune, Bac Lieu Province), about 7km southeast of Bac Lieu city center. Duoc Su Pagoda has been dubbed the "heart of Buddhism" for the people of the Mekong Delta since the early 20th century, and it has been over 100 years now. Therefore, the pagoda carries significant historical and spiritual values and plays a special role for the Buddhists of Bac Lieu Province.

Surrounding the pagoda is the gentle Chau Hung River, along with lush green landscapes and a cool atmosphere, bringing a sense of peace and tranquility as soon as one steps inside the pagoda, as if a separate world exists within it. The highlight of Duoc Su Pagoda is its East-West architectural fusion, learning from Western architecture while still retaining the deep spirit and culture of the East.

Origin of the name

Duoc Su Pagoda is the familiar name used by the local people

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The pagoda is widely known by the name Giac Hoa Pagoda, which is the official name given by Mrs. Tran Thi Dieu. Mrs. Tran Thi Dieu is a descendant of the most prestigious family in the Mekong Delta at that time, the Bac Lieu gentleman's family.

She is well-known for her contributions of land, resources, and assets to the pagoda for charitable purposes; moreover, she directly took care of and developed the pagoda. The name Giac Hoa given by her signifies enlightenment and the lotus flower, both of which are symbols closely associated with Buddhism. However, the pagoda is affectionately referred to by the locals as Duoc Su Pagoda.

History of formation and development

The pagoda was recognized as a provincial historical relic in 2001

Construction of the pagoda began in 1919, initiated by Venerable Thich Tri Tam. This pagoda is one of the earliest Buddhist structures in Bac Lieu Province.

According to documents provided by the Provincial Buddhist Association, Duoc Su Pagoda was once the largest Buddhist study center in the South before 1975. It trained and nurtured many generations of monks and nuns, spreading and developing Buddhism throughout the region.

In 2001, Giac Hoa Pagoda was recognized by the People's Committee of Bac Lieu Province as a provincial historical relic due to its significant values.

Religious and historical role

The pagoda is a center of Buddhism in the Mekong Delta

Today, Duoc Su Pagoda still plays an important role in the spiritual life of Bac Lieu residents. The pagoda hosts many major Buddhist festivals such as Buddha's Birthday, Vu Lan Festival, the first full moon of the Lunar New Year, and the retreat period, attracting many Buddhists and tourists to the pagoda each year. Currently, the pagoda also has a Buddhist Intermediate School of the Bac Lieu Provincial Buddhist Association to continue its mission of training the next generations of monks and nuns and spreading Buddhism.

Not only holding spiritual and religious significance, the pagoda also has important meaning during the war period in Vietnam. During the two resistance wars against French colonialism and American imperialism, it was a place to hide and care for revolutionary officials and soldiers, and secret meetings were also held here. Moreover, in 1945, the pagoda contributed 2,000 sacks of rice to the famine relief movement, affirming the spirit of patriotism and a close bond with the mission of national liberation.

Architecture and space of Duoc Su Pagoda

One of the attractions of the pagoda, drawing many tourists each year, is its unique architecture.

Overview of the architecture

The unique East-West cultural fusion architecture of the pagoda

Overall, Duoc Su Pagoda covers an area of over 700 square meters, facing north. The pagoda is designed with a fusion of Eastern and Western architectural excellence, built during the French colonial period, so some features bear the distinct style of late 19th-century France, such as vine details, curvy patterns, Baroque and Gothic columns, while still retaining Eastern architectural characteristics like curved tiled roofs, wooden frames, and the two dragons worshiping the moon.

Main area

The main hall area of Duoc Su Pagoda

Duoc Su Pagoda retains the traditional Buddhist layout with the three-entrance gate, main hall, lecture hall, ancestral house, and rear hall.

• Main hall: Visitors stepping through the three-entrance gate will see the spacious and beautiful main hall area. The exterior of the main hall resembles a French-style mansion with traditional tiled roofs, adding a highlight to the architecture. Important Buddhist rituals are held here.
• Ancestral house: This is the place for worshiping and commemorating the founders, those who contributed to the construction and development of the pagoda to this day.
• Nunnery and dining hall: This area can be said to be the living, studying, and practicing space for the nuns in the pagoda.

Preserved artifacts

The pagoda currently preserves many valuable ancient artifacts

Duoc Su Pagoda is now a place that houses many precious artifacts, holding significant historical, cultural, and artistic meanings such as:

• The carved wooden board depicting two dragons: The painting is nearly 2m long, weighing nearly 800kg, gilded to express power, majesty, and sanctity in Eastern culture.
• The collection of Chinese wooden blocks: the pagoda preserves many wooden blocks of Buddhist scriptures in Chinese, reflecting its previous status as a center of Buddhism with the role of preserving and disseminating Buddhism.
• The exquisite reverse-painted glass paintings: 6 sets of Thousand-Handed Avalokiteshvara paintings created using the skilled reverse painting technique on glass by Chinese artisans are preserved in the pagoda.
• The bronze Nine Dragons statue: One of the important symbols in Buddhism is also present at the pagoda.

Top 4 activities to experience when visiting Duoc Su Pagoda

Visitors to the pagoda can participate in various activities, among which the following 4 activities are the most popular.

Praying and worshiping

Many visitors come to the pagoda to pray and worship

With over 100 years of history, Duoc Su Pagoda has always been an ideal place for Buddhists to pilgrimage and pray, with the following worship rituals taking place:

• Offering: Buddhists will offer items such as fresh flowers, fruits, or vegetarian offerings on the altar.
• Lighting incense: According to belief, lighting incense expresses reverence and connects to the Buddha.
• Buddha ceremony: Visitors will sit with monks and nuns to perform a short prayer or seek peace.

Participating in the major Buddha ceremony

Many major festivals take place at Duoc Su Pagoda annually

If visitors come to the pagoda during significant Buddha festivals, they will be able to participate in unique cultural and spiritual activities such as:

• Buddha's Birthday: held in the fourth lunar month to commemorate the Buddha's birth with activities like processions, bathing the Buddha, and releasing animals.
• Vu Lan Festival: falling on the full moon of the seventh month, this is a festival to show gratitude to parents and ancestors. Activities you can participate in include prayer rituals and pinning on roses.
• Full Moon of January: this is the first month's prayer festival, many people come to Duoc Su Pagoda to pray for peace for themselves and their families.
• Full Moon of October: on this day, many people come to the pagoda to perform prayer rituals in memory of the deceased.

Participating in Buddhist studies

Many youths are interested in participating in courses at the pagoda

The Intermediate Buddhist School of the Bac Lieu Buddhist Association provides courses for many people coming to the pagoda, from adults to children, all can participate:

• Basic Buddhist course: This is a basic course on how to apply Buddhist teachings in life through lectures on the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path.
• Short meditation retreats: “A Day of Peace”, “Summer Retreat” are regular meditation courses organized by Duoc Su Pagoda.
• The retreat season: This is a festival that takes place from June to August in the lunar calendar for Buddhists to focus on practicing, studying, and researching.
• Regular preaching programs: Buddhists participate to train their bodies and minds, easily grasping the Buddha's teachings.

Visiting and checking in

When visiting Duoc Su Pagoda, tourists will admire the unique architectural blend of East and West, view valuable artifacts, and enjoy the tranquility in the pagoda's garden. Visitors can find suitable spots to stroll or meditate to regain peace of mind.

Additionally, if you enjoy photography, the majestic structures, unique architecture, and the serene landscape of the pagoda will make you want to snap photos continuously.

Duoc Su Pagoda is a temple of significant importance not only for its spiritual aspects but also for nurturing the culture and spirit of the local people. We hope the knowledge, information, and experiences shared will be useful for visitors when visiting Bac Lieu. If visitors plan to travel to this sacred place, please seek the services of NVK Travel to experience through the address nvktravel.com.