Xiêm Cán Pagoda

Xiêm Cán Pagoda is located on Huyện 31 Road, Biển Đông B quarter, Hiệp Thành ward, Cà Mau province. It is an outstanding architectural work and the venue for annual festivals of the Khmer people. The pagoda covers an area of 4 hectares, making it one of the largest religious architectural complexes in the Mekong Delta region.

Xiêm Cán Pagoda was originally named Komphisako in Khmer. When the Chinese, mainly Teochew people, settled in the area, they called the pagoda Xiêm Cán, which in their Teochew language means "by the water", referring to the pagoda's location by the sea.

Xiêm Cán Pagoda is situated in Biển Đông B hamlet, formerly Vĩnh Trạch Đông commune, former Bạc Liêu city, former Bạc Liêu province (now Huyện 31 Road, Biển Đông B quarter, Hiệp Thành ward, Cà Mau province), 7 km east of the former Bạc Liêu city centre and 2 km from the sea.

The pagoda was built in April 1887, Buddhist calendar year 2430. The first abbot was Venerable Thạch Nam, who initiated the construction of the pagoda. The original area was 4,500 m², and the current grounds cover 4 hectares. This ancient pagoda has seen nine generations of abbots. Over more than a century of formation and development, Xiêm Cán Pagoda has been a centre for spiritual, cultural, and artistic activities of the Khmer people.

The pagoda preserves an ancient set of Khmer books written on palm leaves, up to 70 pages thick.

In 2001, the People's Committee of Bạc Liêu province classified Xiêm Cán Pagoda as an architectural and artistic monument.

In 2009, Xiêm Cán Pagoda received Buddha relics and built the solemn Ngọc Xá Lợi Stupa opposite the lecture hall.

On 29 June 2022, the People's Committee of Bạc Liêu province issued Decision No. 247/QĐ-UBND recognising Xiêm Cán Pagoda as a typical tourist site of the Mekong Delta region.

The architectural complex of the pagoda faces east and is built in the Theravāda Buddhist architectural style. The predominant colours, like many other Khmer pagodas, are yellow and golden red. The construction features many bas-reliefs.

The pagoda gate is built in the Angkor architectural style, with a multi-headed serpent statue on top and many images of dancing maidens. Below the gate's name board are two Garuda birds and two five-headed serpents winding around. The surrounding fence is intricately carved with many patterns. The pagoda grounds are very spacious, with many tall, straight-lined sao and dầu trees.

The main hall is located at the centre of the pagoda grounds, on a brick platform 1.5 metres high with three steps and a surrounding corridor. It is built in a rectangular shape, 18 metres wide and 36 metres long. There are 100 round concrete columns in total, all intricately carved.

The pagoda roof consists of three staggered, tower-shaped layers stacked on top of each other. The corners of each roof tier are adorned with long, curved serpent tails. The two triangular gables at each end are sealed with wooden panels called "hô cheang" by the Khmer, which are carved. Along the roof ridges are Khmer dragon statues; the double-headed dragon heads are at the roof corners, the dragon bodies stretch along the ridge with clearly defined dorsal fins, curving upwards like flames. The head, body, and tail of the dragons combine to form the image of the "ghe ngo" boat. At each junction between the column tops and the roof is the head of the serpent deity Nagar, as the serpent is a sacred animal protecting the pagoda.

The main altar is richly and exquisitely decorated with floral and sculptural motifs. On the altar are many Buddha statues, with the largest Shakyamuni Buddha statue in the centre. Other Buddha statues depict the various incarnations of the Buddha. The walls and ceiling are adorned with elaborate, colourful bas-reliefs and murals. The murals recount the life of the Buddha and the Ramayana epic.

The main hall building is 36.3 metres high, considered the tallest among Khmer Theravāda pagodas in Southern Vietnam.

Opposite the main hall is the ceremonial pillar, featuring the image of the five-headed serpent deity Nagar. The pillar is used for lighting candles during festivals.

Behind the ceremonial pillar is the monks' residence. The abbot's residence is built solidly of brick, intricately carved and brightly coloured. Next to it are the old monks' residence and the old abbot's residence, constructed entirely of precious woods such as sao and căm xe. Despite the passage of time, the wood remains lustrously dark, and the roofs are tiled.

The traditional sala house functions as a lecture hall and assembly hall. It is built entirely of wood and elaborately decorated with unique motifs. The interior features a Buddha altar, tables and chairs, and a wooden floor for devotees to sit on before entering the main hall. The walls and ceiling are adorned with intricate motifs and murals. In the corridor is a prominent large black bell.

Xiêm Cán Pagoda has many statues of Prince Sidatta riding a white horse, led across the river by Xanac in his quest for enlightenment. On both sides of the main hall are many stupas for ashes and a crematorium. Within the grounds is a school teaching Khmer script, Pali, Buddhist scriptures, etc., and it is a repository for collections of folk tales.

Xiêm Cán Pagoda is a venue for spiritual and cultural activities and hosts the annual festivals of the Khmer people. It is also a centre for Khmer cultural and artistic activities. The Khmer Culture and Arts Team of Xiêm Cán Pagoda was established by the pagoda's management board to preserve the inherent cultural values of the Khmer people, serving locals and visitors with Apsara, Rom vong, Sarawan dances, sa săm drums, gáo dances, all rich in Khmer ethnic identity.

The pagoda is also a place of study for monks. Currently, there are three classes held from Monday to Saturday, with a three-month annual break as determined by the pagoda. There are regularly 50 monks of all ages attending, with a curriculum from grade 1 to grade 8. The subjects taught include Khmer script, mathematics, Vietnamese language, and Khmer Buddhist doctrine.

Thích Nhật Từ (2020), Southern Theravāda Buddhism, Hồng Đức Publishing House.