The Southern One Pillar pagoda was modeled on Hanoi’s one–pillar pagoda. Its structure is similar but not identical. It was built in 1958 by the monk Thich Tri Dung.
The pagoda is located at 100 Dang Van Bi road, Binh Tho ward, Thu Duc district, Ho Chi Minh city.
In 1958, the monk Thich Tri Dung and his students built aOne-Pillar Pagoda in the South called Nam Thien Nhat Tru. The pagoda aims to be a landmark so that southern Buddhists come to worship Buddha, recall their ancestors, and pray for a peaceful and prosperous country.
The Southern One Pillar pagoda was also modeled on ancient temples in the North, from rafters, truss, roofs to pattern of layout. The Southern One Pillar pagoda was cast in reinforced concrete, tile roofs shaped as the One Pillar Pagoda in Hanoi, but lower and smaller.
Looking from the main gate, Nam Thien Nhat Tru was built in the middle of the Dragon Eye Lake with lotus blossom, among the lake’s area of more than 600 square meters. The temple is located on a 12-meter pole. On the lake, the temple rose to the lofty idea, creating a restful and pure space.
Behind Nam Thien Nhat Tru is a main hall, Tu An house, and memorial halls. Besides, the temple also has statues of Duc Dia Tang cast in precious metals weighing 61 kg, a massive Buddha Amitabha, Shakyamuni Buddha sitting in meditation under the pagoda tree.
With that compelling beauty, every year, Nam Thien Nhat Tru welcomes hundreds of domestic and foreign tourists who come to visit, admire and explore the unique cultural and spiritual life of Sai Gon – Gia Dinh.
Photo: Kienthuc/Dan Viet
