(CMO) Nestled quietly in a small alley at 45/3A Phan Ngoc Hien Street, Ward 5, Ca Mau City, Ngoc Minh is an ancient Buddhist temple associated with the name of Venerable Nun Ngoat Lien.
Báo Cà Mau•23/02/2023
Ngoc Minh Monastery has had eight abbesses. In 1970, the late Venerable Nun Huynh Lien established the Ngoc Minh Children's Home to care for children (now Ngoc Minh Buddhist Prayer Hall).
Nun Thich Nu Phu Lien, the abbess of the temple, said that from 2014 to the present, after nearly half a century of existence, the temple had deteriorated. In 2012, she and benefactors renovated and built a sturdy triple-arched gate. By 2024, the temple was rebuilt in a very spacious and modern style as it is today.
The main hall is built in an octagonal shape, symbolizing the Eightfold Path; the quadrilateral tower symbolizes the Four Noble Truths. In the center of the main hall is a statue of Shakyamuni Buddha, and the four large pillars represent the four assemblies of monks. The wooden tower above the main hall has 13 levels, symbolizing the 13 stages of spiritual evolution for sentient beings, from the six ordinary beings to the four saints and the three venerable ones. Behind it is the shrine dedicated to Patriarch Minh Dang Quang – the founder of the Vietnamese Buddhist mendicant order – along with other patriarchs and abbots of the monastery. Below the main hall, on the ground floor, is the lecture hall, where meditation and ceremonies are held on major holidays throughout the year.
Ngoc Minh Monastery is a well-built, octagonal-shaped temple.
On either side of the temple are Buddhist relics depicting the life of Buddha Shakyamuni from his birth, his path to enlightenment, his turning of the wheel of Dharma, to his attainment of Nirvana. To the left of the main hall are five miniature mountains, the dwelling place of Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, and at the very top of the mountain are three majestic statues of the Buddhas of the Three Ages, protecting sentient beings.
On the artificial hill are three majestic statues of the Buddhas of the Three Ages, bestowing their blessings upon all beings.
Ngoc Minh Monastery is a place that performs monthly charitable acts, helping the elderly living alone, orphans, and people with disabilities. On full moon days, major holidays, and Lunar New Year, Nun Thich Nu Phu Lien and Buddhist followers donate tens of tons of rice to help the poor.
The Buddhist relics site depicts the life of Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha.
In the center of the main hall is a statue of Buddha Shakyamuni.
Comment (0)