Wat
Chùa Âng
Chùa Âng (Wat Angkorajaborey) is a Khmer Theravada Buddhist Wat in Nguyệt Hóa ward, Vĩnh Long province, Vietnam.[1][2] It stands beside the Ao Bà Om scenic area and the Khmer ethnic culture museum, in what was Trà Vinh province until the provinces of Trà Vinh, Vĩnh Long and Bến Tre merged in 2025.[2][1]
History
The Wat's tradition dates its founding to 990. In 1695 the main hall was built of bamboo and leaves. In 1842 it was rebuilt in hardwood, with a tiled roof and masonry walls, and it was later restored several times on a smaller scale.[2]
On July 20, 1994, the Ministry of Culture and Information recognized Chùa Âng as a national architectural relic (Decision 921-QĐ/BT).[3][2]
Architecture
The main hall measures 36 m by 24 m (118 by 79 ft). It stands at the center of the grounds on a base 2 m (6.6 ft) high, with two tiers, each enclosed by a railing, and a wide gallery on all four sides. A broad moat surrounds the Wat. The grounds also hold a dining hall, a preaching hall, monks' quarters and a sala (an open hall for gatherings). The Wat keeps old objects, among them Buddhist scriptures written on palm leaves.[2]
Religious life
Each year the Wat holds Khmer New Year (Chol Chnam Thmey) in April, Sen Dolta, the festival for ancestors, in the eighth lunar month, and its largest festival, Ok Om Bok, the moon festival of the tenth lunar month. These festivals draw Khmer Buddhists from inside and outside the province.[2]
On the evening of July 11, 2025, the monks of Chùa Âng held the ceremony that opens Vassa, the three-month rains retreat. Hòa thượng (Most Venerable) Thạch Sok Xane, the abbot, presided. He was then vice president of the Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha and head of its board for Vĩnh Long province. Lay followers offered rain-bathing robes, Vassa lamps and the four requisites to the monks. It was the first rains retreat after the provincial merger, and all 156 Khmer Theravada Wats in the province began Vassa that day.[1]
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Giác Ngộ, Vĩnh Long: Lễ nhập hạ truyền thống của Phật giáo Nam tông Khmer tại chùa Âng (July 12, 2025)
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Du lịch Trà Vinh, Chùa Âng: di tích lịch sử quốc gia có kiến trúc nghệ thuật độc đáo tại Trà Vinh (April 18, 2022) (archived August 7, 2022)
- ↑ Cổng thông tin điện tử tỉnh Trà Vinh, Di tích lịch sử cấp quốc gia (July 1, 2008) (archived March 14, 2023)