Spring 2024 at the monastery - Photo: Truc Lam Phuong Nam
In springtime, the warm sunshine makes the apricot blossoms burst open, their mesmerizing yellow hues stretching along the waterways of the Mekong Delta. Amidst this azure color, the road to Truc Lam Phuong Nam Zen Monastery is also bustling with people going to worship Buddha.
Since its inauguration in 2014, every year when my family returns to Can Tho for Tet (Lunar New Year), we visit Truc Lam Phuong Nam Zen Monastery as a place to start the new year that all members look forward to.
This place is not only for seeking blessings, but also a spring outing destination that brings peace and tranquility to the soul.
Standing amidst the beautiful and sacred scenery, listening to the temple bells, my heart suddenly felt as light as a cloud, and all the hardships of the past year seemed to vanish.
Located in My Khanh, Phong Dien district, Can Tho city, Truc Lam Phuong Nam Zen Monastery is about 15km from the city center. It is the largest Zen monastery in the Mekong Delta and one of the largest Buddhist structures in the Southwest region of Vietnam.
Sala flowers at Truc Lam Phuong Nam Zen Monastery
My first impression upon arriving here was the rows of sala trees planted around the fence and scattered throughout the monastery grounds. Some say they are jade unicorn trees, but I prefer to call them sala or asparagus, a flower associated with the birth of Buddha, with an incredibly pure fragrance.
I reached out to catch the clusters of sacred flowers and gazed towards the monastery. There it was, the triple-arched gate with its boat-shaped design and four soaring curved eaves. The gate was covered with red shark-scale tiles and decorated with a double dragon motif flanking the Dharma Wheel at the very top.
Three pathways open up to welcome visitors to the monastery, as if welcoming a very auspicious and fortunate first day of the year.
On a spring morning, the monastery courtyard was bathed in sunlight. Potted apricot blossoms burst forth in vibrant yellow, alongside pots of marigolds, as if gathering all the life force of the earth and sky into their blossoms.
After two years of economic hardship, this year seems brighter, with an overwhelming number of people visiting the meditation center.
Joining the bustling crowd, my heart was filled with excitement and joy. There were groups of young women in modernized ao dai dresses in various colors, and groups in solemn monastic robes. All of this painted a picture of a festive season, with Truc Lam Phuong Nam Zen Monastery in Can Tho as the gathering place.
My children are fascinated by the eighteen stone Arhat statues. Every year they take souvenir photos and review the lessons from their textbooks. From the courtyard, straight ahead is the main hall, also known as the Great Hall of the Buddha, roofed in the style of the Tran Dynasty, and capable of accommodating hundreds of worshippers.
To the right of the main hall is the bell tower with a large bronze bell weighing 1.5 tons, while to the left is the drum tower. The columns are all made of precious ironwood. Particularly inside the main hall, the supporting columns are intricately carved with dragon and phoenix motifs and adorned with gilded couplets, creating a truly majestic and unique impression.
My family and I entered the Buddhist temple with utmost reverence, praying for a year of favorable weather, good health, and peace.
In the center of the main hall stands a 3.5-ton bronze statue of Shakyamuni Buddha. Additionally, there are statues of Bodhisattvas and patriarchs carved from 800-year-old fir wood.
At the beginning of the year, people go to temples not only to pray for health and peace, but also to show their reverence and cultivate virtuous intentions.
After offering flowers and fruits to the Buddha and a small donation, I registered my name to pray for the deceased and for peace and well-being for my entire family.
With the smoke from the incense stinging my eyes, I prayed that difficulties would gradually pass and good fortune would come my way.
In the early spring, standing in the solemn atmosphere of the monastery, I was deeply moved. I felt as if the Buddha had manifested himself, understanding my heart, and I felt I could find refuge for my soul with the utmost trust.
After offering incense, my family and I went on a tour and took photos around the monastery. The spacious grounds, covering over 4 hectares, contain many other interesting religious structures, including an area for free medical examinations, treatment, and medication distribution for the public.
Ultimately, the family's favorite spot remains the lotus pond area with the replica One Pillar Pagoda, modeled after the architecture of the One Pillar Pagoda in Hanoi .
The whole family took photos together by the curved bridge lined with weeping willows, peacefully listening to the sound of fish snapping under the giant lotus leaves, watching the waves spread out like concentric circles, the sunlight shimmering on the water lilies and lotus flowers, and the melodious meditative music carried on the breeze.
Visiting Truc Lam Phuong Nam Zen Monastery in Can Tho at the beginning of the year was a truly meaningful trip. I was happy to experience peaceful spring moments at the Buddhist temple, but I also got to admire the unique culture and architecture, harmonizing with the joyful spring atmosphere. Most importantly, it was a wonderful and happy spring trip with my family.
Running from January 25th to February 24th, the "My Tet Moments" contest is an opportunity for readers to share beautiful moments and unforgettable experiences from Tet with family and friends.
The organizing committee has received nearly 600 entries from readers over the past month. More than 50 entries have been selected and are being published on Tuoi Tre Online . We sincerely thank our readers for submitting entries and following the contest during the Lunar New Year of the Year of the Dragon this year.
Several more articles will be published in the near future.
The awards ceremony and closing event are scheduled to take place in March 2024. The prize structure includes 1 first prize (15 million VND in cash and gifts), 2 second prizes (7 million VND and gifts), and 3 third prizes (5 million VND and gifts).
The program is sponsored by HDBank.
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