Hội Linh Pagoda (Cần Thơ)

Hội Linh Pagoda, also known as Hội Linh Ancient Pagoda (Hội Linh Cổ Tự), belongs to the Lâm Tế Zen lineage; it is currently located in an alley at 314/36 Cách mạng Tháng Tám Street (about 200 m from the main road), in Bình Thủy Ward, Cần Thơ City, Vietnam. This is an ancient pagoda with unique architecture. Over its 118 years of existence, Hội Linh Pagoda has played a significant role in the resistance movements against the French and the Americans in Cần Thơ. From 1941 to 1975, the abbots, monks, nuns, and local people at the pagoda sheltered and protected many revolutionary cadres and soldiers operating in the area, turning the pagoda into a revolutionary base that served the revolutionary movement in Cần Thơ, where many important Party meetings were held, contributing to the victory of the armed forces and people of Cần Thơ.

The pagoda was founded by Most Venerable Thích Khánh Hưng (? – 1914) on the 15th day of the 2nd lunar month in the year Đinh Mùi (1907), on land donated by Mr. Phạm Văn Bường (Dharma name Thông Lý) and Mrs. Nguyễn Thị Tám (Dharma name Thông Ngọc). Initially, the pagoda was simply built from bamboo and thatch, and was named Hội Long Pagoda (Hội Long tự). Because it was located at the head of a small canal, it was also called Xẽo Cạn Pagoda (Chùa Xẽo Cạn).

After Most Venerable Khánh Hưng passed away (1914), Most Venerable Thích Hoằng Đạo (1878 – 1922) succeeded as abbot and rebuilt the pagoda that same year with durable materials (brick and tile), renaming it Hội Linh Pagoda (Hội Linh Tự; later called Hội Linh Ancient Pagoda, as it had existed for a long time).

In 1922, Most Venerable Thích Trí Đăng (? - 1944) succeeded as abbot until 1944.

Next, Venerable Thích Pháp Thân (1903 - 1970) became abbot. In 1945, following the order for "scorched earth resistance", the pagoda self-immolated part of its structure to prevent the French army from occupying it. Afterwards, the pagoda was restored and later underwent several renovations. In 1967, the Venerable was elevated to the title of Most Venerable.

In 1970, Most Venerable Pháp Thân passed away. His junior, Most Venerable Thích Pháp Hiện, succeeded as abbot of Hội Linh Pagoda until 1972, when he moved to practise elsewhere. At the end of 1982, Hội Linh Pagoda was overshadowed by Metra Tower (before it was demolished in 1993).

He was succeeded by Venerable Thích Chơn Đức (1925 - 2011, a disciple of Most Venerable Thích Pháp Thân). In 1998, he was elevated to the title of Most Venerable and continued as abbot until the end of 2005. Due to old age and declining health, he entrusted the responsibilities to Venerable Thích Thiện Pháp to manage Buddhist affairs. In 2011, Most Venerable Chơn Đức passed away...

In 2017, Venerable Thích Thiện Pháp was elevated to the ecclesiastical title of Most Venerable.

The pagoda is situated on a site of about 6,500 m², with all the main structures such as: triple-arched gate (tam quan), main hall (chánh điện), rear hall (hậu đường), Dharma hall (giảng đường), and so on.

The pagoda is surrounded by a curved wall, with three gates (one main and two side gates). The main gate extends forward, has two tiers of roof, and on the top is a pair of green-glazed terra-cotta dragons contending for a pearl (lưỡng long tranh châu). All the gates are roofed with green yin-yang tiles, and each has a pair of embossed Han-script couplets.

Behind the main gate is a semicircular lotus pond about 25 m² in area, surrounded by melaleuca trees. In the centre of the pond stands an open-air statue of Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva (Quán Thế Âm Bồ Tát) nearly 3 m tall. The left side gate is the main entrance to the pagoda. On the left are the stupas (Bảo tháp), the resting place of former abbots. On the right is a fairly large courtyard. Here, on the left is the Ngũ hành shrine (miếu Ngũ hành), on the right is the Earth God shrine (Thổ thần), and in the middle are many ornamental plants.

The main hall (chánh điện) is 288 m² in area, with a roof over 9 m high and two main entrances. On the façade, the upper part has three ancient pavilions, housing the set of Amitābha Trinity statues (A Di Đà Tam Tôn). From outside looking in: Amitābha Buddha (Phật A Di Đà) is in the centre, Mahāsthāmaprāpta Bodhisattva (Bồ Tát Đại Thế Chí) on the left, and Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva (Bồ Tát Quán Thế Âm) on the right. The roof is divided into three sections, cast in cement to resemble fish scales; the central roof is round with hexagonal edges, topped with a lotus bud, and the rafter ends are stylised with leaf motifs; the two side roofs are topped with wine gourds, the roof edges are flat and quadrangular, curving upwards, with stylised leaf motifs at the rafter ends. This architectural section was built in 1972. Additionally, below, between the two main doors, there is another Amitābha Buddha statue.

The main shrine has three small compartments, inside which many Buddha statues are solemnly enshrined. In the three shrines, there are three horizontal lacquered boards with Han-script inscriptions: in the centre "Hội Linh Tự", on the left "Tam vô tư địa" (Three impartial places), and on the right "Thưởng thiện phạt ác" (Rewarding good, punishing evil).

The central shrine has a red and gold-lacquered screen intricately carved with trees, flowers, leaves, dragons, phoenixes, deer, etc., and on both sides are two Han-script couplets. The principal Buddha worshipped here is Amitābha Buddha. The left shrine is dedicated to Mahāsthāmaprāpta Bodhisattva, and the right shrine to Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva. There are also many other statues, such as: Śākyamuni Buddha (Phật Thích Ca), Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva (Địa Tạng Bồ Tát), Dharma Protectors (Hộ pháp), heavenly generals, etc.

Notably, in the centre of the main hall is a seated statue of Maitreya Bodhisattva (Di Lặc Bồ Tát), 2.5 m high. Behind Maitreya is the Medicine Buddha lamp tower (tháp đèn Dược Sư) with 49 lamps. The lamp tower is made of precious wood, has 7 tiers, each with 7 lamps and a Medicine Buddha statue. Behind the lamp tower is a space for the abbot's ceremonies. Opposite the Maitreya statue is the altar of Śākyamuni Buddha seated on a lotus throne. Also on the altar are statues of Skanda Bodhisattva (Vi Đà Hộ pháp), Mahāsthāmaprāpta Bodhisattva in wrathful form (Tiêu Diện Đại Sĩ), the Jade Emperor (Ngọc Hoàng Thượng đế), Nam Tào and Bắc Đẩu (deities of the Southern and Northern Stars).

Behind the three main shrines is a smaller shrine dedicated to the Founding Patriarchs (Hậu Tổ). In the centre is a statue of Bodhidharma (Tổ Sư Đạt Ma), with statues of meritorious predecessors who protected the Three Jewels (Tam bảo) on the left and right. On all three altars are many ancestral tablets of former abbots and departed predecessors.

Connected to the main hall is the rear hall (hậu đường), 144 m² in area, with an altar to the Fatherland and a portrait of President Hồ Chí Minh in the centre. This area also serves as a reception room.

Next is the Dharma hall (giảng đường), used for sutra lectures and Dharma talks. In the central compartment is an altar to the Mother Buddha Chuẩn Đề (Phật Mẫu Chuẩn Đề). In the two side compartments are memorial altars to Most Venerable Hoằng Đạo (left) and Most Venerable Pháp Thân (right).

The pagoda is built with modern materials but retains the style of Vietnamese pagodas. The brick walls and vaulted roof system are supported by rows of precious round wooden columns 25 cm in diameter, with stone bases and cement pillars. The roof beams are of simple construction, in the traditional trính house style; the beams are planed smooth and placed on square or trapezoidal bases, with bat-shaped ends. The carved screens in the main hall and shrines are exquisitely crafted. The decorative motifs and patterns throughout the pagoda follow traditional conventions: dragon, tortoise, phoenix, deer, apricot, orchid, chrysanthemum, bamboo, lotus, etc.

In addition to its architectural and artistic value, the pagoda preserves more than a hundred valuable statues of various sizes, made from different materials: bronze, wood, cement, plaster, etc. The Giám Trai statue is a particularly unique work of sculpture. Other precious artefacts include a bronze bell, wooden fish drum, a set of 16 ritual weapons, and a set of wooden tables and chairs inlaid with mother-of-pearl.

Hội Linh Pagoda was a secret base for the forces resisting the French colonialists from 1941, and later against the United States and the Republic of Vietnam. The Most Venerables, monks, nuns, and Buddhist laypeople here sheltered, protected, and supported many leading cadres. For these contributions, the State of Vietnam awarded the pagoda the First-class Resistance Medal, and the monastic community received many orders and medals. Most Venerable Thích Pháp Thân was recognised as a martyr for sacrificing his life in the cause of liberating the South in 1970. The State recognised martyr Dương Văn Đề (i.e. Most Venerable Thích Pháp Thân, abbot of the pagoda) for his sacrifice in the anti-American resistance and awarded the First-class Resistance Medal to Hội Linh Pagoda. Today, the pagoda is a religious centre where many Buddhist laypeople come to study and worship. In addition, the pagoda actively participates in local charitable and social work.

On 21 June 1993, the pagoda was recognised by the Ministry of Culture and Information (now the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism) as a National Historical and Cultural Site, according to Decision No. 774/1993/QĐ-BT.