Thới Sơn Pagoda

Thới Sơn Pagoda is located in the Két Mountain area, in Thới Sơn ward, An Giang province, Vietnam. This is a pagoda dedicated to the Triple Gem (Tam bảo) of the Bửu Sơn Kỳ Hương faith, and is also a revolutionary historical site of the province.

After founding the Bửu Sơn Kỳ Hương faith in 1849, Phật Thầy Tây An (real name: Đoàn Minh Huyên, 1807–1856), successively led followers and poor people to clear land and establish villages in many places, including the two villages of Hưng Thới and Xuân Sơn, which later merged to form Thới Sơn ward, part of Tịnh Biên town.

In these two villages, Phật Thầy Tây An had the Thới Sơn đình (communal house; a traditional Vietnamese village assembly hall and temple) built to worship the Thành hoàng Bổn cảnh, the tutelary deity of the land they came to reclaim. At the same time, he also had two "trại ruộng" (field camps), that is, simple houses made of wood and leaves, built to provide shelter while working the fields. To satisfy spiritual needs, he established an altar to the Triple Gem (Tam bảo) within the camp area, which was later transformed into a pagoda. These are today's Thới Sơn Pagoda and Phước Điền Pagoda (commonly known as Trại Ruộng).

On 26 August 1999, the An Giang provincial authorities issued a decision recognising Thới Sơn Pagoda as a revolutionary historical site of the province.

Today, Thới Sơn Pagoda is situated on a spacious plot with many green trees, and has been solidly and beautifully constructed. The pagoda consists of two parts: the main hall (chính điện) and the rear hall (hậu điện). In the main hall is an altar to the Triple Gem (Tam bảo), and in the rear hall is an altar to Phật Thầy Tây An. Neither altar features any statues; instead, each has a large red Trần điều cloth (see photo).

In front of the courtyard of Thới Sơn Pagoda, there are three small miếu (shrines; small temples for local deities) dedicated to the Vinh thần, the Left and Right Outer Mountain Spirits (Tả and Hữu ngoại Sơn thần); these also have no statues. This follows the "shrines in front, pagoda behind" (trước miễu sau chùa) model commonly seen in Bửu Sơn Kỳ Hương pagodas.

In addition, the pagoda grounds include houses for pilgrims from afar to visit and stay overnight.

Every year, on the 14th and 15th days of the first lunar month, Thới Sơn Pagoda holds solemn ceremonies to worship the Triple Gem, Phật Thầy, and to pray for peace in the new year, attracting many followers and visitors from all over.

Trịnh Vân Thanh, entry "Trại ruộng ở Thới Sơn" in Idioms – Allusions – Dictionary of Famous People (volume 2). Hồn Thiêng Publishing House, Sài Gòn, 1967.