Site Xá Lợi Pagoda

1 site

1.1 shrine
1.2 scenes life of gautama buddha
1.3 bell tower

site

the statue of quan Âm inside fenced yard of xá lợi pagoda

the site includes number of buildings, including main ceremonial hall , bell tower. pagoda separated street gated fence. inside fence popular chinese-style statue of quan Âm holding vial of elixir in 1 hand , making gesture of removing obstacles other. main hall of pagoda located on upper level. men ascend stairs on left hand side, women on right. hall rectangular in shape, , supported pillars. facing entrance shrine, dominated large statue of gautama buddha.

shrine

the gilded statue of gautama buddha dominates shrine.

the statue of gautama depicts buddha seated in meditation on lotus blossom. wearing garb of monk. usual, depicted ears lengthened use of jewelry (indicating royal origins), closely cropped curly hair (indicating renunciation of worldly life), , large protuberance on head (indicating aptitude). behind head sun disc. statue crafted sculptors biên hòa, city north of hồ chí minh city. has been in current state since 1969, when gold coating applied it. in front of statue of gautama buddha shrine dedicated relics of buddha, relics being held in small stupa. towards front of shrine small porcelain image of laughing buddha maitreya, buddha of future. between small statue of maitreya , large statue of gautama golden image of multi-armed cundi (chuan de) bodhisattva sitting in meditation on lotus blossom. bodhisattva s many hands grasp familiar attributes such sword, wheel, , trident. elegant chinese-style vases on either side of shrine hold flowers of various colors.

scenes life of gautama buddha

the walls of main hall play host sequence of large panels depicting fourteen scenes life of gautama buddha, birth prince siddhartha attainment of nirvana. images created dr. nguyen van long of gia dinh art school. arranged sequentially high on 2 side walls, images reminiscent of depictions of life of jesus or of stations of cross found in christian churches. fourteen scenes follows:

queen maya, mother of historical buddha, dreams elephant 6 tusks enters through right side.
the young siddhartha walks on open lotus flowers, pointing @ heaven , earth.
the elder asita notes auspicious marks on body of infant siddhartha indicate great secular or religious leader.


prince siddhartha sees old man.



prince siddhartha sees old man , sick man, leading him ponder devastation human body caused old age , disease.
the prince sees corpse, , monk in perfect condition.
having decided renounce secular life , lead life of religion, prince looks last time upon family lie sleeping.
having left royal city of kapilavastu horse kanthaka , horseman channa, siddhartha cuts off long hair in order symbolize entry religious life.
three demon princesses representing ambition, anxiety, , voluptuousness try unsuccessfully seduce prince.
mara king of demons , minions attempt unsuccessfully intimidate prince violence.
having attained enlightenment, gautama buddha preaches 4 noble truths first 4 disciples in garden.
a young woman falsely accuses buddha of getting pregnant, buddha makes gesture of calling upon earth witness; buddha instructs young woman.
elephants , other animals render hommage buddha; buddha converts venomous serpents.
the buddha converts angulimala, armed assassin.
lying on side, buddha enters nirvana.

above entrance, facing shrine itself, big image of gautama buddha seated in meditation underneath fig tree.

bell tower

xá lợi pagoda s bell tower visible street

the bell tower of xá lợi pagoda opened in 1961. tower stands 32 m, has 7 stories, , highest bell tower in vietnam. on highest level, there bell weighing 2 tonnes, cast in model of bell of thiên mụ pagoda in huế.