Soc Lon Pagoda located in Loc Khanh commune of Binh Phuoc province’s Loc Ninh district has been built with entirely Khmer cultural symbols and often chosen as a venue for many Khmer festivals and a school for teaching Khmer language and traditional values.
The pagoda, built in 1931 and completed in 1937, is the oldest Khmer Buddhist temple in Binh Phuoc. It has entirely the Khmer Pagoda architecture with the Sala, main worshipping temple, teaching area, and Buddhist towers, etc. The pagoda belongs to Theravada Buddhism, so all worshipping statues are of Buddha Sakyamuni.
The pagoda Sala, one of main constructions of any Khmer pagoda, has been completely designed and decorated with Khmer traditional characteristics of architecture and Buddhism, including its interiors and outer appearance.
The pagoda has served not only as a place for Buddhist practices but also a cultural and community center. The pagoda annually hosts 10 social, cultural and Buddhist events of Khmer people in Binh Phuoc and these events often attract flocks of local Buddhists and visitors. These large-scale ceremonies included Lunar New Year, Magha Puja, Chol Chnam Thmay, Vesak Day, Opening of Khmer language teaching, Sene Dolta, Opening and closing of Summer Buddhist Retreat, Kathina and Oóc-om-book, etc.
Musical instruments kept in the pagoda
The pagoda was recognized a provincial historical-cultural relic in 2004 by the provincial government and ranked as one of 100 most favorite cultural-spiritual tourist spot in 2016 by the ministry of culture, sport and tourism.
PTT
