Hộ Pháp Pagoda (Thích Ca Phật Đài)

Hộ Pháp Pagoda is a pagoda built in the Southern (Theravāda) Buddhist tradition, located at 610/2A Trần Phú, Vũng Tàu Ward, Hồ Chí Minh City, within the Thích Ca Phật Đài architectural complex. The pagoda features four steles inscribed with the Dharmacakrapravartana Sūtra (Discourse on Turning the Wheel of the Dharma) in four different languages, which have been recognised by the Vietnam Records Organisation as holding the record for: "The largest mother-of-pearl inlaid Dharmacakrapravartana Sūtra steles in four languages."

Construction of the pagoda began in 1970, initially under the name Thiện Huệ Hermitage (tịnh thất). In 1972, it was renamed Hộ Pháp Meditation Hall (thiền đường). The pagoda is situated on the northern slope of Núi Lớn (Big Mountain), within the grounds of the Thích Ca Phật Đài architectural complex, which covers a total area of 28 hectares. The Hộ Pháp Pagoda architectural cluster itself occupies 1,885 m², with the pagoda's built area being 220 m² (11 metres wide, 20 metres long).

The pagoda's architecture follows the Southern (Theravāda) Buddhist style. Throughout the grounds, the architecture and layout of the pagoda recreate the scene of the Buddha delivering a sermon. The main hall (chánh điện) was completed in 2004, and enshrines statues of the Buddha on his teaching journeys and the Buddha bestowing blessings on either side of the main entrance. The Buddha Hall enshrines a 7-metre-tall statue of Śākyamuni Buddha turning the Dharma wheel. To the left of the Buddha Hall is a set of 12 small bronze bells hung in a row. In the front courtyard stands a large bronze bell (đại hồng chung).

Inside the main hall are four sūtra steles, carved on sao wood and inlaid with mother-of-pearl, arranged in two groups on either side of the main hall (each group contains two steles). Each stele has two faces, and the four steles together present the sūtra in four languages:

Right-side group of steles in the main hall

The first stele is inscribed with the sūtra in English, translated by Venerable Narada Maha Thera.

The second stele is inscribed with the sūtra in Pali, according to the version certified by the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Enlightenment of Sri Lanka.

Left-side group of steles in the main hall

The third stele is inscribed with the sūtra in Vietnamese, translated by Venerable Thích Giác Trí, Abbot of Hộ Pháp Pagoda.

The fourth stele is inscribed with the sūtra in Chinese characters, translated by Venerable Kumārajīva (Cưu Ma La Thập).

All four steles are set within supporting frames made of sao wood. On the outer face of each frame, at the top, are carvings of the Dharma Wheel and devas gathering to listen to the Dharma. In addition, both the steles and their stands feature lively and meaningful details depicting various Buddhist stories and motifs.

In the centre at the rear of the main hall stands a statue of the Buddha Śākyamuni seated on a high lotus throne, the entire body gilded in 24k gold. Behind it is a sao wood bas-relief, 5.8 metres wide and 8 metres high, depicting the Buddha delivering a sermon at the Deer Park. This lacquered artwork was painstakingly crafted by artisans over two years.