Phu Ly Pagoda – A Stunning Khmer Pagoda in Vinh Long

Phu Ly Pagoda – A Stunning Khmer Pagoda 

Surrounded by ancient star trees and cool palm trees, Phu Ly Pagoda offers a very serene setting. It is an impressive Vinh Long tourist destination that visitors should not miss.

Location of Phu Ly Pagoda

Phu Ly Pagoda is located in Dong Thanh commune, Binh Minh town, Vinh Long province. Starting from the center of Binh Minh town, visitors follow National Highway 54 towards Tra On district for about 10 minutes to see the Phu Ly hamlet welcome gate. After passing through the gate and continuing for about 2 km, you will reach Phu Ly Pagoda on the left. Although situated deep within Phu Ly hamlet, Phu Ly Pagoda is a spiritual destination that attracts many Buddhists and tourists from the Mekong Delta region.

History of Phu Ly Pagoda

In 1653, Khmer people came to settle in Phu Ly hamlet, and in 1672, Phu Ly Pagoda was built on an area of more than 2 hectares. According to Venerable Son Thang, the deputy abbot of the pagoda, this area was once very desolate, with many tigers, snakes, and other dangerous animals. People had to go to the pagoda in large groups, carrying weapons to protect themselves. The monks conducted a ritual for three days and nights to drive away the wild animals. Over time, the pagoda was rebuilt to become the majestic and solemn structure it is today.

Architecture of Phu Ly Pagoda

Phu Ly Pagoda is one of the temples built with the intricate and refined architecture of India, Thailand, and Cambodia, closely associated with the culture of the Khmer people in the southern region of Vietnam.

The pagoda includes several structures: the entrance gate, the main hall, the sala, the monks’ quarters, the stupa, the flagpole complex, the reclining Buddha statue, the Buddha scenes, and the crematorium. Around the pagoda are ancient star trees, oil trees, and palm trees that provide shade year-round, creating a solemn and ancient atmosphere.

The main hall of Phu Ly Pagoda is the most prominent and important structure. It symbolizes Mount Meru, a sacred mountain where the gods come to study Brahmanism. Surrounding the main hall are stupas, which are shorter than the main hall and represent smaller mountains surrounding the sacred Mount Meru.

The main hall is built on a high foundation, covered in bright yellow paint that shines in the morning sunlight. On the roof of the main hall is a tower. Around the tower, artists have adorned it with many dragon sculptures, their heads raised high. The dragon’s body is decorated like racing boats in the vast waves, with their tails curving upward toward the sky. Below the roof, there are many statues of the goddess Kây No with pretty, gentle faces, wide wings, standing straight, chests forward, and arms raised to support the roof edges. These statues connect the rows of columns with the main hall roof, creating a graceful and delicate Khmer architectural style.

Inside Phu Ly Pagoda, visitors can also see the bird god Krut, crafted similarly to the goddess Kây No, but with a human figure and a bird’s head. These are mainly placed at the heads of columns at the four corners of the main hall to support the roof. Hundreds of Krut bird god sculptures are also embossed on the walls along the base of the main hall. Surrounding the main hall are columns adorned with golden statues of the Four-Faced God (Kabil Maha Brum), each face looking towards the east, west, south, and north, representing the Buddhist virtues of loving-kindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity.

Inside the main hall, there is a large statue of Buddha Shakyamuni seated on a lotus throne in a preaching posture, enshrined at the center. The frescoes on the ceiling, doors, columns, and verandas depict many motifs of dragons, snakes, flowers, leaves, and birds, telling the story of Buddha Shakyamuni from his birth to his attainment of Nirvana.

A standout feature of Phu Ly Pagoda‘s architectural art is the flagpole complex. Located in the middle of the pagoda’s courtyard, surrounded by statues of lions, goddesses, dragons, and Naga snakes in dominant golden colors, this architectural ensemble is built on three-tiered steps. The lowest tier, with the largest area, has eight lion statues placed in four directions.

Outside the main hall are five houses within the overall structure of the pagoda. These houses serve as living quarters, resting places, and working areas for the monks and temple staff.

The pagoda also has daily classes for young monks to learn Khmer and Vietnamese languages, as well as social and natural sciences and Buddhist teachings. There are also classrooms for children.

Every year, Phu Ly Pagoda hosts many traditional cultural festivals of the Khmer people, such as the Chol Chnam Thmay New Year, the Sel Dolta ceremony, the Ok Om Bok festival, and the Katina robe-offering ceremony.