Tranquillity in body and mind

To Nguyen Thi Ngoc Anh you either are a committed Buddhist or not, and after having taken a three-day Buddhist pilgrimage tour of famous pagodas located in the southwestern region, she is left with special memories.
"It really is a trip to bring tranquillity to your body and mind," Anh said.
HCM City women took part in the VinPilgrimage company tour, the first tour operator in Viet Nam to offer religious getaways. Anh visited pagodas such as Hue Nghiem 2 in HCM City, Vinh Trang in Tien Giang, Kh’Leang and Doi (Bat) pagodas in Soc Trang, Quan Am in Can Tho, and Phat Lon and Van Linh, Tay An in An Giang.
"The tour offered me a chance to explore beauty of Buddhist architecture, culture and art," Anh said.
Among above pagodas, Van Linh pagoda was once La (leaf) pagoda which was built by Nguyen Van Xung, a monk from Ben Tre Province. This pagoda was initially built of simple bamboo, and in 1940, it was officially renamed Van Linh.
Van Linh Pagoda consists of two parts which are constructed in an eastern colour and style. The solemn and quiet centreof the pagoda hosts a series of gold-painted Buddhas. In the front part, there is a nine-story bell tower with a giant bronze bell weighing 1.2 tonnes. At the right site of the centre, there is a ancestral temple. And at the centre, there is a nine-storey (35m) statue of Bodhisattava. There are also three other small, sharp towers outside which increase the impressive character of the pagoda. Behind the back part and around the pagoda, there are many flower and fruit gardens full of peaceful shade.
Van Linh Pagoda is located at the top of Cam Mountain and offers a great ecological, cultural and religious tourist destination for people.
The 150-year-old Vinh Trang Pagoda, located in Tien Giang Province’s My Tho Town, is the first pagoda in Viet Nam to feature a harmonious combination of western and eastern architectural styles.
The pagoda houses 60 precious statues made from bronze, wood and terracotta. The most valuable collection is the 18 arhats made from jackfruit tree wood in 1907. Additionally, the pagoda has a bell that was cast in 1854.
The pagoda is surrounded by gardens of ornamental trees, ancient trees and bonsai, creating a peaceful atmosphere.
"The most important thing I learnt on this trip was the skills of living freely and peacefully by practising meditation under the guidance of monks from the pagodas and monasteries," 41-year-old women said.
At Ngoc Vien monastery, the first established by the Du Tang Khat Si group in Vinh Long Province, Anh was guided into her meditation.
Meditation, which is a familiar Buddhist concept was something new for Anh, and she was given a 15-minute introduction by monks at the pagoda. After that, she practised with her tour for 25 minutes and enjoyed her period of contemplation.
She also learnt meditation through drinking tea. Sitting together, silently while experiencing the tea’s aromatic flavour slowly lingering on her tongue.
"That was my wonderful moment and it was an oasis of calm in my otherwise busy life," Anh said.
Through the tour, Anh learnt the art of living in peace and contentment by listening and exchanging the application of Buddhist law and practising meditation during acting, sitting, worshipping. She also learnt the art of healthy living such as Thieu Lam Tai Chi, spa meditation, and Nghe Thuat Song Dep (art of fine living) such as flower arranging, fruit showing.
"After the tour finished, I was so excited that I couldn’t sleep. I was delighted with this tour. I’ve learnt so much about Buddhism and now find contentment even on the busiest of days. It has improved me as a person," Anh said.
"I’m a Buddhist but under the guideline of three young venerables, I learnt many things which through many years of going to the pagoda, I hadn’t had the chance to learn and approach lively like that," Anh said.
The tour was part of a larger pilgrimage programme which was arranged by monks and nuns from the Viet Nam Buddhist Sangha, who also act as tour guides for the programme.
"The tours will provide participants with the opportunity to gain an insight into various Zen sects, Tinh Do Tong (Pureland Buddhism), Mat Tong (Esoteric Buddhism), and others," said venerable Thich Quang Kien, development and training manager of VinPilgrimage company.
Tourists will also contemplate valuable religious treasures, study popular practice and continuance methods under the guidance of pagoda head monks, attend dialogues on Dharma, and experience the religious life as monks and nuns at pagodas.
"This is the first time that a Buddhist organisation has prepared such a programme to revere and visit domestic pagodas," Kien said.
"We hope travellers will exchange experiences with monks at pagodas and have meals with them to experience part of Buddhism life. Travellers who aren’t Buddhists but want to learn more are also welcome," Kien added.
The programme will also include visits to pagodas and monasteries entering Viet Nam’s Buddhism record list and ancient and famed pagodas scattered across the country, including Truc Lam Monastery, Xvayton Pagoda, Thien Truc Pagoda and Dau Pagoda.
Besides religious tours, VinPilgrimage will soon offer special tours targeting specific groups, such as Coi Thien An Lac (Peace and Contentment Meditation World) to promote meditation groups, Phat Giao Voi Doanh Nhan (Buddhism with businessmen) and Phat Giao Voi Tuoi Tre (Buddhism with youth).
On the occasion of the Lunar New Year holiday, VinPilgrimage will offer three tours to the southwestern and southeastern region. For more information, please visit www.hanhhuongviet.vn or call 083 884 0608.