Hội Khánh Temple
 | This article relies largely or entirely on a single source. (May 2008) |
| Hội Khánh Temple | |
|---|---|
Bình Dương Province | |
| Country | Vietnam |
  Shown within Vietnam | |
| Geographic coordinates | 10°58′51.7″N 106°39′34.7″E / 10.981028°N 106.659639°E |
| Architecture | |
| Style | Vietnamese |
| Completed | 1741 |
 | |
Hội Khánh Temple (
The temple was initially built on a prominent hill, but in 1861 it was destroyed in fighting as the
Geography
The temple is located only 150 m away from the road. Beyond the triple gates inscribed with depictions of dragons and phoenixes, the temple lies on a quiet plot of land, with many trees, in particular, four eucalyptus trees more than a century old that were planted shortly after the temple was rebuilt.[1]
The temple has been refurbished and expanded many times, but retains its old-fashioned architecture.[1]
The preaching hall and the eastern sanctuary were rebuilt in 1917, and the western sanctuary was rebuilt in 1984. The main ceremonial hall was rebuilt in 1990–1991. On February 29, 1992, the Board of the Buddhist Association of Song Be Province organised the restoration of the historical statues of the temple. The total built-up area occupied by the main hall, preaching hall, western and eastern sanctuary of the temple is 700 square metres. In the main hall are statues of
Over the more than 250 years of its existence, ten abbots have presided over the temple. The cremated remains of the nine past abbots have been enshrined in stupas on the temple grounds. These are Thích Đại Ngạn, Thích Chân Kính, Thích Chánh Đắc, Thích Trí Tập, Thích Thiện Quới, Thích Từ Văn, Thích Ấn Bửu - Thiện Quới, Thích Thiện Hương and Thích Quảng Viên. The current abbot is Thích Huệ Thông, who is also the current Secretary-General of the provincial Buddhist association.[1]
Hội Khánh temple has long been a centre of Buddhist scholarship in the region. Many of the monks trained at the temple have gone on to open and preside over other temples in the area.[1]
Notable monks
One notable monk to have come from Hội Khánh was
From 1923 to 1926, a group of anti-colonial activists who advocated Vietnamese independence from France, met at the temple. One of the activists was Nguyễn Sinh Sắc, the father of Ho Chi Minh.[1]
The temple is currently the headquarters of the provincial Buddhist association and has been listed by the Vietnamese government as having heritage value on the grounds of being significant in national culture.[1]