Brian Jeffrey
Discovering An Phu Pagoda
Situated on Pham Hung Street in District 8, An Phu Pagoda captivates onlookers with its radiant exterior, embellished with dazzling porcelain and ceramic shards that reflect the sunlight brilliantly.
A deeper exploration unveils the temple’s remarkable artistry. Almost every part of the pagoda incorporates numerous fragments of bowls, plates, vases, and teapots, artfully arranged to form vibrant and intricate patterns.
A Historical Perspective
Established in 1847 by Venerable Thich Thanh Duc, An Phu Pagoda faced considerable decline over the years. A pivotal renovation occurred in 1961, led by Venerable Thich Tu Bach, who redesigned the temple in a traditional multilevel style, covering a space of 1,500 square meters and separating it into a worship hall and a lecture space for monks and guests.
During the renovation, Venerable Thich Tu Bach envisioned using discarded ceramic materials for decoration. Monks were tasked with breaking these materials into smaller pieces and creatively arranging them into artistic patterns on walls, pillars, and staircases, featuring motifs such as Buddha figures, lotus blossoms, the swastika, and representations of Guanyin Bodhisattva.
After Venerable Thich Tu Bach’s death in 1993, Venerable Thich Hien Duc took over the renovation and artistry initiatives. From 1961 to 2004, over 30 tons of ceramic and porcelain fragments were utilized, culminating in 20,000 days of work covering an area of 3,886 square meters.
Because of its unique approach using recycled porcelain, An Phu Pagoda earned the title “porcelain fragment pagoda.” On November 30, 2007, it was officially acknowledged by the Vietnam Records Organization as the temple with the highest amount of porcelain decoration in Vietnam.
In addition to its stunning decorations, An Phu Pagoda features colossal ceremonial candles. A notable pair, named “Five Dragons Adorning the Flame,” each weighs 1,800 kilograms and measures 3.4 meters in height, with intricately carved designs of coiling dragons from base to apex, complemented by five smaller dragons at the base.
Additionally, in 2005, another pair of candles debuted, weighing 2,100 kilograms and standing 3.83 meters tall, surpassing the previous pair by 300 kilograms and 43 centimeters, making them the heaviest and tallest candles in Vietnam.
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Visitor Experiences
An Phu Pagoda’s beautiful design and one-of-a-kind decor draw in visitors from Vietnam and beyond, especially bustling during full moon nights, religious celebrations, and the Lunar New Year festivities.
Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, a 32-year-old from District 10, shared her experience: “I love visiting temples for their peaceful ambiance. This is my first visit to the ‘porcelain fragment pagoda,’ and I’m astonished by the detailed patterns formed from so many broken pieces.”
Phong, 24, often comes to the pagoda to pray for tranquility and success. After placing incense at the Guanyin altar, he lit and released a lantern into the pond.
“I’ve traveled to many temples in Ho Chi Minh City, but An Phu Pagoda shines for its creative use of recycled materials, resulting in marvelous artwork. The intricate porcelain fragment designs are everywhere, making this a truly exceptional temple in the city,” Phong expressed.
