◊ History of Foundation

(TITC) - Ton Thanh Pagoda was built by Buddhist Monk Vien Ngo in the 7th year of King Gia Long’s reign (1808) with initial name of Lan Nha (renamed Ton Thanh in 1841). In the 1846, Buddhist Monk Vien Ngo, who followed the Buddhist religion for 40 years, decided to sit in meditation without drinking water for 49 days and then passed away. Now, there is a tower of Monk Vien Ngo to the west of the pagoda.

◊ Architecture and Some Artifacts
According to Dai Nam Nhat Thong Chi (Essays on the United Great Viet Nam), Ton Thanh was the most famous pagoda in former Gia Dinh Area. After being restored several times, the pagoda now consists of front house, main hall, preaching house and corridors in the west and the east. The pagoda preserves the old architectural style with system of pillars in the main hall, many Buddhist statues from the early 19th century, horizontal lacquered boards, typically statue of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva made of bronze with the height of 110cm.

◊ The Pagoda Attaches to the Famous Poet Nguyen Dinh Chieu
Ton Thanh Pagoda was the place where Poet Nguyen Dinh Chieu used to live, write, teach, practice medicine and take part in revolutionary movement (from 1859 to 1861). Here, he wrote Van te nghia si Can Giuoc (Funeral oration for the partisans of Can Giuoc) and finished final chapters of the famous poem – Luc Van Tien. Currently, Ton Thanh Pagoda still preserves two stelae built in 1973 and 1997 to commemorate Poet Nguyen Dinh Chieu.

On 27 November 1997, Ton Thanh Pagoda was recognized as a national cultural – historical relic by Ministry of Culture and Information (present Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism).
 

Thu Giang