Visit Kh'Leang Pagoda, a national architectural and artistic relic in Soc Trang province

Kh'Leang Pagoda is located at 53 Ton Duc Thang Street, Ward 6, Soc Trang City, Soc Trang Province. It was ranked as a national historical and cultural relic by the Ministry of Culture, Information and Sports (now the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism) in Decision No. 84-QD, dated April 27, 1990, in the category of architectural and artistic relics.

Khleang Pagoda is a national historical and cultural relic. Photo: Internet

According to a document recorded from ancient Khmer literature, in the mid-16th century, an official in charge of Soc Trang named "Tac" built a warehouse to store products contributed by the people. Therefore, he named the land he governed Srock Khleang (ancient Khmer means land with warehouses). When the Kinh and Chinese people came to live and settle in this land, they called it "Soc Kha Lang" and gradually the pronunciation was changed to Soc Trang.

According to the ancient Khmer documents of Kh'Leang Pagoda that are still preserved, the first main hall was started to be built in 1532 and it is unknown how many years it lasted, but the current main hall was completed in 1918, that is, during the time when Venerable Lieu Duong was the abbot of the pagoda. During the construction of this main hall, the pagoda invited two artisans named Chao and Clao from Cambodia to participate in the construction.

The temple gate faces East, decorated with elaborate patterns and vibrant colors imbued with Khmer culture. Photo: Internet

Venerable Tang No, abbot of Kh'Leang Pagoda, Head of the Executive Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in Soc Trang Province, said: Kh'Leang Pagoda is an architectural complex consisting of: the main hall, the sala (the meeting place for monks and followers), the abbot's residence (with a room to store scriptures, books, newspapers, and documents inside), the monks' residences (hermitages), the towers containing the ashes of the deceased, the crematorium, the guest house, the hall, the Southern Pali College (a school that teaches in Pali)... The most prominent of which is the main hall located separately on the left side of the road leading to the pagoda. Inside the main hall are wooden pillars gilded with images about the life of Buddha Shakyamuni and Buddhist teachings. The highlight is the statue of Buddha sitting on a splendid lotus throne with an electric halo that sometimes appears and sometimes disappears, creating a majestic, elegant, and mysterious atmosphere.

The entire structure is located in a large campus with many ancient trees and palm trees, surrounded by a fence, with a total area of ​​3,825 m2. Compared to other Khmer pagodas in Soc Trang province, Kh'Leang pagoda has less need for restoration, is still quite intact, and is built in traditional Khmer architecture. In Kh'Leang pagoda, there is also the Southern Intermediate Pali Cultural Supplementary School.

Mr. Tran Ron, a member of the Kh'Leang Pagoda Management Board, said: The main hall of the pagoda is unique, with a more beautiful shape and design than other pagodas. The roof is carved with many dragons and gods standing on both sides protecting the Buddha. The main hall has an altar to worship Buddha Shakyamuni. The main hall and sala organize ceremonies for Buddhists to offer rice and help the poor.

Kh'Leang Pagoda bears the strong imprint of Khmer architecture but also blends Vietnamese and Chinese styles in its decoration. In the main hall, there are also some images, decorative motifs of the Kinh people on the arched door and of the Chinese people on the pillars, with images of carp, dragons and Chinese characters painted on the pillars. This reflects the cultural and artistic exchange between the three ethnic groups Kinh, Hoa and Khmer. Previously, Kh'Leang Pagoda kept scriptures made of palm leaves with ancient Khmer characters engraved on them. These precious artifacts are currently kept at the Khmer ethnic culture exhibition house in Soc Trang province.

Like other Khmer pagodas in the South, Kh'Leang Pagoda is a place to teach children during the summer vacation. In addition to teaching language and writing, the pagoda alsoeducates them about personality, filial piety, behavior... Thereby, helping them grow up and mature later. Children come here to learn Khmer, from grade 1 to grade 5. During the summer vacation, students are brought to the pagoda by their parents to study for free. The monks in the pagoda teach. Currently, the pagoda has 3 classes with a total of 30 children.

In addition to its religious function, Kh'Leang Pagoda is also a place to hold traditional ceremonies of the Khmer people, including Chol Chnam Thmay (New Year's Celebration), Sen Dolta (Ancestors' Worship Ceremony), Ok Om Bok (Moon Worship Ceremony)... With its ancient beauty, high artistic value, and unique Khmer architecture, Kh'Leang Pagoda is a model for other pagodas in Soc Trang province to learn from in terms of construction architecture.

In addition to serving religious needs, Kh'Leang Pagoda also meets the traditional living needs of the Khmer people. Photo: Internet

Kh'Leang Pagoda is an architectural work of high artistic and aesthetic value. Each item in the main hall is a unique work of art. The harmonious collection and arrangement shows the cultural exchange between the three ethnic groups Kinh - Khmer - Hoa. During the process of cultural exchange and coexistence, they have known how to unite and learn from each other to develop together./.

Yanjiang