Hội Phước Pagoda

Hội Phước Pagoda, also known as Hội Phước Tự, is an ancient pagoda located in Tân Bình Hamlet, Lai Vung Commune, Đồng Tháp Province. It was built in 1841 during the reign of Emperor Thiệu Trị, founded by Most Venerable Thích Hoằng Ân.

The pagoda dates back to the 5th year of Emperor Thiệu Trị's reign (1845). At that time, it was merely a thatched hermitage erected by Mrs. Trần Thị Ngôn for spiritual cultivation. In 1845, she shaved her head and became a nun under Most Venerable Liễu Lộc at Huệ Lâm Pagoda – Sài Gòn, receiving the Dharma name Như Định from the Most Venerable.

In 1849, responding to the request of Như Định, the elder Patriarch Tiên Giác Hải Tịnh at Giác Lâm Tổ đình (patriarchal pagoda) – Sài Gòn recommended Most Venerable Liễu Ngọc Phổ Minh to take charge of the hermitage, and from then on, it was named Hội Phước Tự.

In 1850, Most Venerable Liễu Ngọc began constructing the pagoda with works such as: the Main Hall, Patriarch Hall, East Hall, West Hall, Lecture Hall, and Front Hall. Construction continued until 1891, when it was finally completed.

Previously, the pagoda was named Cảnh Long Tự, later changed to Hội Phước Tự. The architecture of the pagoda consists of two buildings: the first serves as the Buddha shrine, the second as the living quarters. The pagoda was renovated in 1997 and again in 2016. Notably, the main hall still preserves a set of Trung Tôn scriptures from the time of the founding Most Venerable, and a great bronze bell weighing over 300 kg from the time of Emperor Thiệu Trị, which was brought from Huế. On the great bell is inscribed: 'Cảnh Long Tự, abbot Hoằng Ân cast this bell, Thiệu Trị, first year, fourth month, first day.' Hội Phước Pagoda has been chosen as the Office of the Executive Board of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha for Lai Vung District.