Kossom pagoda - The beauty of Khmer culture in Tra Vinh.

Going to the Southwest of Vietnam is one of my crucial plan for this year. Crossing three provinces, I have reached to Tra Vinh region, an area still keeps the majority of Khmer cultures, especially the people, temple and pagoda.

As a local guide in my thought, my friend suggests me visiting the ancient pagoda which is existed for almost 600 years. It has been gone through numerous of restorations to keep the shape inside and outside as it is.

Kossom Khmer pagoda is one of the Khmer Pagoda in the Southwest of VietNam still has its particular features and characteristics. Hidden under the shadow of trees is an large area of pagoda. From outside, there are two big gates leading me to the center of pagoda. I have seen 2 impressive statues standing 2 sides of the gate. They are exactly the Gods of holding the door, it is compulsory in any temple and pagoda. You can see they look quite furious and full of magic powers.

The main hall of Kossom pagoda is built in the East-West direction, and in front of the hall is the flag tower. It is covered around by 4 Lions with Naga Gods. In the past, they had the mystery story related to them.

In any pillars of the hall, the Krud symbol (Garuda) shows up on the top. Garuda is from mythology of ancient India, Garuda is a rider for ultimate Gods in Hindu religion.

The main colors scheme in Khmer pagoda are yellow – orange and red. Those colors bring the vivid strong attraction for visitors and strangers. The campus of pagoda has grown and taken care of trees and ornamental plants. They are in flower every season in year.

The most significant feature that taken my eyes is the line of Maha Brahma, a lord has 4 faces turned into 4 directions. According to the ancient people in Hindu religion, The lord Maha Brahma created universe. Well, that obviously the longest stories I have ever read when I learned about Buddhism.

Behind the main hall, is the area for resting and pray. In here, they have recreated the scene of Buddha’s childbirth by statues under the Bodhi tree.

The Buddha sitting under the Bodhi tree is also recreated as well. For monks who love practise meditation by walking, they can walk into the lines of areca trees or the large garden separated the hall.
I often call this area is the particular part of the pagoda, it is the place for monks or visitor relaxing, chilling or learning. They digged a pond and grew a lot of white lotus inside, beside the pond is the small forest and an area for crematorium.

Sitting by the pond, I feel peaceful and tranquil oddly. It just like I have been forgotten the exciting living out there, I just see me and myself in the stillness ambient. It is maybe the effects of visiting ancient pagoda bringing to me.

Khmer culture as well as the Khmer’s spiritual life leaves an unforgetable mark in my mind. They also preserve well all the cultures even though the risk of changing and assimilation are happening all over the world in general and in my country in particular.

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