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Intellectual people
Bôtum Vong Sa Som Rong pagoda dates back hundreds of years, 12 abbot has passed. This is also one of the Khmer temples whose reclining Buddha is considered the largest in Vietnam.
Soc Trang is known as a land with many pagodas of the Khmer ethnic group. The pagoda is a place for cultural and religious activities, as well as an indispensable destination for domestic and foreign tourists on their journey to discover Soc Trang.
Among those temples, it is impossible not to mention the Bôtum Vong Sa Som Rong pagoda (called Som Rong pagoda, located in the 5th district of Soc Trang city). Until now, Som Rong Pagoda has been dated for hundreds of years and has been subjected to 12 abbot.
Som Rong Pagoda dates back hundreds of years, 12 abbot has passed.
Som Rong Pagoda was originally built temporarily with bamboo and later renovated
According to the monks, the Som Rong Pagoda was originally made of temporary bamboo. In 2000 the new main hall of the temple was inaugurated with solid materials but with a fairly simple architecture.
In 2013, through the campaign, Venerable Ly Duc built a new hall building and some new architectural blocks. After 4 years, until the beginning of 2017, the new Som Rong hall pagoda was officially inaugurated.
Regarding the name Som Rong, according to local people, in the past, there were many wild trees called Som Rong growing around the pagoda, since then the pagoda has named this tree.
Arriving at Som Rong Pagoda, the first impression for visitors is the door of the pagoda patterned with Khmer cultural symbols like Naga snake, Krud bird, traditional pattern … covered with gold stalactites. Above the gate, there are 5 towers that are symbols of Mount Meru (that is, Mount Tu-di) …
Som Rong Pagoda was built in the same architectural style as other Khmer Nam Bo temples, with an area of 5 hectares, including: the main hall, the hall, the monks’ house and an additional book library with more than 1500 books. ., serving students, people and local Buddhists.
The path to the temple is shaded by green trees.
The main hall is the main place of worship of Buddha in the architectural works of the temple. The entire main hall is supported by 6 rows of pillars, with a rather special structure consisting of 3 overlapping ceiling systems with a certain distance.
The two sides of the entrance to the main hall are the images of the Unicorn with a fierce character, guarding the door to prevent evil and protect the Buddha. On the walls and ceiling of the main hall are frescoes depicting the life of Shakyamuni Buddha.
The altar in the main shrine houses many statues of Shakyamuni Buddha. In it, the two ancient Shakyamuni Buddha statues were made of trees exactly in 1725. These two Buddha statues are in a standing position, with their arms extended forward, the palms with the red pointing forward, it has the meaning of reminding you to people who do not commit bad deeds so that they will be blessed and virtuous in doing good.
The temple grounds are divided into many different areas, most notably the stupa located right at the entrance of the temple and parallel to the main hall.
The stupa has four directions and four paths, representing love, compassion, joy, and discharge. Along both sides of the path to the stupa they are decorated with images of Naga snakes and motifs of ancient Khmer patterns, which are carved very delicately.
Buddha statue in the stupa.
A special feature of the new room is the work on the ceiling of the room with the image of Buddha Shakyamuni standing on nine dragons, with the meaning of the Buddha extending to sentient beings. Of which nine dragons symbolize the Mekong delta.
On the temple grounds, there is a majestic open-air statue of Sakyamuni Buddha, 63 m long, 22.5 m high, weighing 490 tons, and today it is considered one of the largest reclining Buddha statues. from Vietnam.
The construction of the statue started in October 2017, so far, the painting has been completed. The Buddha statue is built of reinforced concrete, very heavy and solid.
It is hoped that under the statue there will be a place to live, meet and study for hundreds of monks. Because it is placed on a high pedestal together with the huge statue of the statue, it can be seen hundreds of meters from the city of Soc Trang.
The construction of the statue started in October 2017, so far, the painting has been completed.
Because it is placed on a high pedestal together with the huge statue of the statue, it can be seen hundreds of meters from the city of Soc Trang.
Venerable Ly Duc, abbot of Som Rong Pagoda said: “The work of the Buddha statue with typical Khmer lines. The work will make the temple more unique, contributing to the attraction. Numerous Buddhists and tourists inside and outside the province , forming a tourist destination of the province of origin and the Mekong Delta region “.
The architectural works within the temple are harmoniously combined, creating a close connection to promote the inherent nature of the place where Buddhist life is like harmony, connection, serving the needs of cultural activities, spiritual spirituality of the nation. At the same time, Som Rong Pagoda is also a place for tourists from near and far to explore and experience the unique cultural and religious quintessence, unique architectural art of the Khmer people of Soc Trang in particular and the southern region in general.
Cao Xuan Luong
