Cu La Pagoda - a unique cultural relic of the Khmer people

In the far south, where simple houses nestle along a winding canal, there is an ancient pagoda called Cu La Pagoda (Chau Thanh Commune, An Giang Province). Not only is it a unique architectural work, the pagoda is also the “heart” of spiritual life, a place that fully preserves the cultural identity of the Khmer people. Each carving on the dome and each brick wall in the pagoda carries within it the story of a civilization.

Cu La Pagoda

The old Cu La Pagoda has existed for more than 4 centuries, not only as a place for Khmer people to practice their beliefs, but also as a "monument", a vestige of a historical period full of ups and downs. Entering the pagoda grounds, visitors will encounter a special structure - the Khmer Cultural Museum. Not too massive, but each artifact here carries the soul of an ancient culture: from Buddhist scriptures written in palm leaves, five-tone musical instruments, ancient Buddha statues, to costumes and precious documentary photos. It is a place for the younger generation to better understand and love the cultural values that are gradually fading away. But perhaps the place that makes anyone who comes here feel moved is the Memorial Tower of the 4 martyr monks.

Memorial tower of 4 monks

On June 10, 1974, during a peaceful protest against oppression, four Khmer monks: Lam Hung, Danh Tap, Danh Hom and Danh Hoi fell here. Their blood mixed with the temple soil, becoming a testament to the indomitable patriotism and the desire for freedom of a peaceful nation. In the rustling sound of the sea breeze blowing through the leaves of the Sao, Dau, and Palm trees in the temple yard, the steady chanting of the sutras in the peaceful afternoon, the heroic struggle of that day was recounted by the monks: In the 1970s (*), the Saigon government issued a general mobilization order and forced monks, nuns, and monks to join the army. The Rach Gia Provincial Party Committee mobilized monks, nuns, and Khmer people, calling on soldiers to desert, opposing the general mobilization order, forcing soldiers to join the army, and bombing pagodas of the US-puppet government.

On June 5, 1974, more than 200 compatriots and more than 200 monks and nuns from KhLang Ong, KhLang Muong, old Cu La, and new Cu La pagodas, under the leadership of the Party Cell and Khmer cadres, went to the headquarters of the Minh Hoa Commune Council (now Chau Thanh Commune) to meet the commune chief, demanding the release of the monks who had been arrested, but the matter was not resolved.

At exactly 5:30 a.m. on June 10, 1974, monks Lam Hung, Danh Tap, Danh Hom, Danh Hoi led a demonstration with more than 600 monks and over 2,000 Khmer people, departing from KhLang Ong, KhLang Muong, old Cu La, new Cu La pagodas in the direction of Rach Soi to Kien Thanh district. The demonstration group carried many banners and slogans with the following contents: "Stop bombing pagodas, killing monks and innocent people", "Respect freedom of belief", "Oppose conscription and military mobilization", "Restore peace , oppose unjust war"...

At more than 10 o'clock, the protest group approached Kien Thanh Sub-region. The enemy continued to use barbed wire to block the road and pointed guns at the protest group, but the monks and people continued to advance. Facing the heroic spirit of the monks and people, the enemy opened fire, killing 4 monks Lam Hung, Danh Tap, Danh Hoi, Danh Hom and injuring 28 monks and people.

At 2:00 p.m. the same day, the protest group from Lang Cat Pagoda led by monks Danh Phol, Danh Ram, and Danh Bu Tel continued to march to the Governor's Palace to demand the return of the bodies of the four monks. The protest group now included more than 1,000 monks, nuns, and people from Lang Cat Pagoda, Thon Don, and Ta Bet... Faced with the strong fighting spirit of the monks, nuns, and people, the enemy was forced to apologize and return the bodies of the four monks, and at the same time take the injured monks and people for treatment. At 4:30 p.m. on June 10, 1974, the enemy sent a vehicle to transport the bodies of the four monks to the old Cu La Pagoda for burial.

A Khmer ceremony at Cu La Pagoda

Because of that meaning, Cu La Tower was recognized as a National Historical Relic in 1990. Every year, on the 10th day of the 6th lunar month, the memorial ceremony for the 4 monks is solemnly held, not only with Buddhist rituals, but also imbued with tradition and gratitude.

Not far away is the new Cu La Pagoda. In recent years, the pagoda has actively participated in social activities, from preventing the Covid-19 epidemic to local charity movements. Cu La Pagoda is not only a destination for tourists who want to learn about Khmer culture, but also a stopover, pilgrimage, and memorial for heroes who took refuge in Buddha, meditated, were not afraid of difficulties and hardships, accepted sacrifices, and devoted themselves to fighting against tyranny and oppression. Those heroes, the martyrs in yellow robes, fell for noble ideals, for the country, the people, for the aspiration for independence and freedom of the nation.

With its harmonious beauty, imbued with Khmer cultural architecture, and with a tradition of heroic and indomitable struggle, Cu La Pagoda has become a "red address" in the journey back to the roots of the young generation, an interesting destination for those who want to learn about Khmer culture and history./.

(*): According to the information in the article "The Tower of 4 Martyrs - A place to preserve the patriotic tradition of the Khmer people" (Giang Nam) - Website of the Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Department of Kien Giang Provincial Party Committee (May 29, 2025 09:25).

Mai Ly

Source: https://baolongan.vn/chua-cu-la-di-tich-van-hoa-dac-sac-cua-dong-bao-khmer-a198511.html