Ho Chi Minh City: 100-Year-Old Pagoda Linked to Legend of Buffalo Boy's Prayer

Phuoc Thanh Pagoda in Long Truong Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, built around the 19th century, is also known as "Mục Đồng" (Buffalo Boy) due to a legend associated with it. The legend tells of buffalo boys who molded Buddha statues from clay and floated them in a pond, with the statues miraculously surfacing. Spanning approximately 1,000 square meters, Phuoc Thanh Pagoda features a main sanctuary at its center, with a spacious courtyard and a decorative screen in front. After being destroyed twice during wartime, the pagoda's space and architecture were rebuilt in 1998. According to inscriptions at the pagoda, this area was once a barren field. Buffalo boys, when playing, would often take clay to mold Buddha statues and release them into puddles. Records state that these statues would all float on the water's surface. From this phenomenon, the village elders established the "Mục Đồng" hermitage to worship and considered it a good omen. Before 1900, it was called "Mục Đồng Hermitage." Later, villagers in the area repaired the hermitage and named it Long Thanh Pagoda. In 1943, the resident monk who participated in the resistance was killed by the French colonialists, and the pagoda was burned down. In 1955, the ancient temple was rebuilt and renamed Phuoc Thanh. During the resistance war against America, the pagoda was again destroyed. In 1998, thanks to the devotion of Mr. Hoang Van Soi and local Buddhists, the pagoda was rebuilt to its current state. Beside the main sanctuary, there is a small hermitage housing a memorial stele and a statue of a buffalo boy playing a flute while riding a buffalo. The spacious courtyard partially recreates the Lumbini Garden, considered the birthplace of Siddhartha Gautama Buddha over 2,500 years ago. The miniature Lumbini Garden at Phuoc Thanh Pagoda depicts the Buddha's birth event. The infant Buddha statue stands on a lotus flower, with the right hand pointing to the sky and the left hand to the earth, evoking the phrase "Above and below heaven, I alone am honored." Surrounding it are statues of Queen Maya and attendants, representing a sacred moment that initiated Buddhism. Many other statues nearby depict Buddhist parables. Pictured is the scene of Prince Siddhartha cutting his hair to renounce worldly life, deciding to abandon a royal life to seek liberation for all beings. The pagoda entrance is wide with rows of green trees. On both sides of the path are 18 statues of Arhats – the highest saints among the Buddha's disciples. Each statue has a different form and expression, symbolizing various states of spiritual practice and qualities. Opposite the Lumbini Garden are altars for Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and stupas containing ashes. This area also houses altars for Emperor Tran Nhan Tong, Ba Chua Xu Nương Nương, and Quan Thanh De Quan. The architecture of the altars carries traditional features with red tiled roofs, dragon motifs, and Buddhist symbols. The main sanctuary is the primary space for monks and devotees to perform rituals. At the center is a statue of Shakyamuni Buddha, flanked by Bodhisattva statues and smaller figures symbolizing various manifestations of Buddhas. The interior and exterior of the pagoda are decorated with numerous statues and bas-reliefs of Buddhas. Notably, a 4-meter-long reclining Buddha statue, the largest in the pagoda, depicts Buddha's entry into Nirvana. Currently, the pagoda has no resident abbot; the rituals and upkeep are managed by three monks. It is not a highly frequented spiritual destination, maintaining a tranquil atmosphere, primarily receiving local residents for worship daily. The pagoda is located about 20 km from the center of Ho Chi Minh City, situated on Vo Van Hat street, making it easily accessible for residents and tourists. By Quynh Tran