Hoi Linh Pagoda - A Revered Ancient Temple in Can Tho City

The construction of Hoi Linh Pagoda began in 1907 (in the Year of the Fire Goat) by Venerable Thich Khanh Hung, the abbot of Khanh Hung Monastery. Initially built with bamboo and palm leaves, the pagoda was named Hoi Long Tu. Due to its location near a small canal, it was also known as Xeo Can Pagoda.

Hoi Linh Pagoda comprises a three-gate entrance, main hall, rear hall, lecture hall, and various worshipping pavilions. The pagoda exhibits a unique and aesthetically pleasing architectural fusion of Eastern and Western cultures.

The three-gate entrance is nestled under the shade of bodhi trees and consists of a main gate and two side gates. The main gate extends forward with two-layered roofs, while both the main and side gates have curved roofs covered with green and yellow tiles. The main gate's roof is adorned with a depiction of twin dragons playing with pearls. On either side of the main gate are two Han-scripted couplets:

"Hoi thuong dien chan chua tiep dan thap phuong quy giac lo

Linh son khai nhan tang de hue tu chu xu me tan."

Translated, it means: "The pagoda is where people gather, regardless of status, to listen to Buddha's teachings and be guided on the path of kindness and enlightenment."

The main hall and ancestral hall have red-tiled roofs supported by round, carved lim wood columns with stone bases shaped like lotus flowers. The rafters are crafted in a truss-style, and decorative wooden beams are intricately shaped like bat wings.

The front of the main hall is divided into three sections with an additional floor. This upper floor is further divided into three sections to worship Buddha Shakyamuni, Quan Am (Avalokitesvara), and Dia Tang Bodhisattva. Within the main hall, there are two altars: the upper altar venerates Buddha Amitabha, and the lower altar honors the high-ranking monks of the Lam Te sect.

The rear hall, built behind the main hall, venerates the patriarchs of the Lam Te sect and high-ranking monks of the Dương family. Inside the rear hall, there is a giant painting depicting the enlightenment of Buddha Shakyamuni, believed to be created by Chinese artists in 1922.

The lecture hall, constructed behind the rear hall, is where educational and religious activities take place. It has a red-tiled roof supported by 12 round lim wood columns. Within the lecture hall, there is an altar for worshipping Buddha Maitreya and another for venerating the high-ranking monks who once presided over Hoi Linh Pagoda.

In addition, Hoi Linh Pagoda features various other worshipping pavilions dedicated to Quan Cong, Ba Chua Xu, Thanh Tai, Ong Ba Anh Linh, and Mother Mary. All these pavilions are beautifully and delicately decorated, reflecting a blend of Eastern and Western cultures.

Hoi Linh Pagoda holds great historical, cultural, and spiritual significance. It is one of the oldest temples in Can Tho, intricately linked to the nation's historical struggles. The pagoda played a crucial role in the resistance against French and American forces, serving as a refuge for revolutionary soldiers and a hub for mass mobilization and the development of Buddhism.

Not only does Hoi Linh Pagoda possess architectural, historical, and cultural value, but it also offers visitors an enriching and meaningful experience. Exploring Hoi Linh Pagoda allows tourists to admire a unique and beautiful architectural masterpiece, listen to captivating legends about the ancient temple, capture photos and videos, indulge in delicious dishes of the Western Capital, and shop for souvenirs at Binh Thuy Market. Hoi Linh Pagoda is an unmissable destination for travelers exploring Can Tho.