What is special about the temple with the largest Buddha statue in North Central Vietnam?

Unique architecture

Venerable Thich Quang Thien Phuoc welcomed us at Phuc Lac Pagoda in the first days of the Lunar New Year. He said that since the first day of Tet, the pagoda has welcomed more than 10,000 Buddhists and tourists to burn incense and pray for peace.

People come here to visit because the temple is not only a sacred place but also has unique architectural marks with statues.Buddha Shakyamuni- one of the largest Buddha statues in North Central Vietnam.

The statue is 42m high, 32m in diameter at the bottom, consisting of 3 parts: the body, the lotus platform and the octagonal tower, made of reinforced concrete. The body of the statue is created in a meditative posture, facing the East, not only massive in size and architecture but also has a harmonious, balanced, sharp and aesthetic beauty in every detail, from the face to the folds of the shirt and lotus petals. This work was carried out by skilled workers in 18 months, completed in 2021.

According to local documents, the pagoda has a history of nearly 400 years. After many changes, the pagoda was damaged and became a ruin. Since being restored and embellished, Phuc Lac Pagoda has attracted a large number of people and tourists to come and burn incense and pray for peace, especially during the Lunar New Year.

"The pagoda is not only a place to confide in spirituality but also a place of spiritual refuge to find peace amidst the ups and downs of life. Many people facing difficult circumstances have been given free food and accommodation by the monks in the pagoda's accommodation area. They also study sutras and recite Buddha's name with the monks until they feel they are truly okay before leaving," said Venerable Thich Quang Thien Phuoc.

This year, the monks in the pagoda and the local people together decorated to create a unique cultural space with many miniature scenes simulating the traditional Tet market space, where items such as dried corn, banh chung, lanterns are displayed, recreating the atmosphere of the old Tet. Many booths in the area display products for sale to supplement the support fund, helping poor students.

Amidst the bustling crowd of people flocking to Phuc Lac Pagoda in the first days of the year, everyone has their own thoughts. Some come to pray for peace, others come to reminisce, to calm their minds after the hustle and bustle. But in the end, everyone feels the serenity when they leave to begin a new journey…

Journey of love

On the first day of the year, when the crowd of people coming to Phuc Lac Pagoda was getting more and more crowded, Ms. Le Thi Thu (Hamlet 2, Nghi Thach Commune, Nghi Loc District) quietly chose a corner of the pagoda yard to calm her mind after the hustle and bustle of life. She said that she only had one daughter, her daughter was her pride and consolation in her life of many disadvantages as she was obedient, filial and a Literature graduate with many unfulfilled dreams. However, disaster struck and her daughter passed away in 2014 after a tragic traffic accident. The pain was so great that she collapsed.

Her house is near the temple, so whenever she feels weak, she goes to this quiet place as a habit. "At first, it was just aimless steps, but I don't know when, my heart gradually became lighter," Thu confided. "Every time I go to the temple, I feel comforted by the abbot and monks' encouragement. I gradually understand that any pain can be relieved if I learn to let go and find peace in my heart."

Now, at the age of 74, she still regularly goes to the pagoda on the full moon and the first day of the lunar month, not only to pray for peace but also to help the pagoda, clean the yard, and prepare offerings. For her, Phuc Lac Pagoda has become a place where her soul is anchored, where she finds peace after the losses of her life.

That is not only the thought of Mrs. Thu but also of many other people who have been attached to Phuc Lac Pagoda over the years. In particular, many children in difficult circumstances have found spiritual and material support to rise up in life.

Sharing about this, Venerable Thich Tam Thanh - AbbotPhuc Lac Pagodasaid that in the early days of Spring, in the scholarship program "Fostering Talents", the monks of Phuc Lac Pagoda in collaboration with philanthropists awarded 338 scholarships to 338 students with the best academic achievements in 301 classes of 8 high schools and 1 middle school in Nghe An province.

The “Nang Buoc Nhan Tai” Scholarship Fund is a Scholarship Fund established by Venerable Thich Tam Thanh to encourage the learning spirit of students at schools in Nghe An province. In schools sponsored by the scholarship fund, each class will select the best student in each semester to receive this scholarship.

Last semester, the Scholarship Fund awarded 297 million VND in scholarships to the top students in their classes at the following high schools: Nguyen Xuan On, Dien Chau 2, Dien Chau 3, Dien Chau 4, Dien Chau 5, Cua Lo, Cua Lo 2, Nghi Loc 2 and Minh Chau Secondary School.

Previously, the monks of Phuc Lac Pagoda and benefactors also went to Con Cuong district to give gifts of love to children with cerebral palsy, children with congenital disabilities and children in difficult circumstances. Here, the delegation presented 38 gifts and cash to the families of 38 children with cerebral palsy; presented 8 bicycles to students in difficult circumstances. Representatives of Phuc Lac Pagoda visited and encouraged a special case, Luong Van Quyen (in Mon Son commune, Con Cuong district). After visiting and encouraging him, the pagoda gave him a leg brace to stabilize his musculoskeletal system, helping his leg to be stable after surgery.

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Up to now, the pagoda has coordinated with high schools and secondary schools in Dien Chau, Nghi Loc districts and Vinh city, and disadvantaged localities to award scholarships and gifts to support more than 2,000 students with difficult circumstances to strive to study well.
The scholarships not only help students cover some of their tuition fees but also provide a great source of encouragement and strength to help them overcome difficulties. But what is more meaningful is that from the times they receive help, they gradually understand that life always has hands ready to support them, and when they grow up, they can also become people who extend a helping hand to others.

Venerable Thich Tam Thanh - Abbot of Phuc Lac Pagoda