Khai Doan Pagoda

The front of the pagoda

The pagoda is now added many new projects. But there is still the original center hall and also the greatest pagoda in Dak Lak. It is also the place you can not ignore in Buon Ma Thuoc city.

A view of the central hall from the right site

This pagoda was built in 1951 by the queen mother Doan Huy Hoang (Đoan Huy Hoàng) (the mother of King Bao Dai (Bảo Đại)) on Phan Boi Chau (Phan Bội Châu) street, Buon Ma Thuoc city. Then, Queen Nam Phuong (Nam Phương) was responsible for the instruction. It was the last pagoda bestowed by Royal Decree.

A view of the central hall from the left site

The pagoda was built by the skillful hands of the ancient capital of Hue (Huế), so it bears the architect and of Hue's kingpost and the local one. The main gate is in the southwest on the Quang Trung Street. It is toward the "Suoi Doc Hoc" ("Suối Đốc Học") Valley. There is the name "Khai Doan Tu" ("Khai Doan Tư") in front and behind the gate. The central hall is the main project with 320 square meters. It is divided into 2 parts. The front part has a Tay Nguyen's house (Tây Nguyên) style but Hue's Kingpost style in some poles. The back one has a modern style. The most special ones in the central hall are the statue of the Buddha in the center and the copper bell in the right site. The copper statue of the Buddha is 1.1meter high. The lotus shaped lamp support is wonderfully decorated. The copper bell is 1.15meter high. The circumference of its bottom is 2.7meters. It is 380 kilos heavy and was made in January, 1954.

The statue of Buddha in the center hall

In the war of resistance, Khai Doan Pagoda was the place of patriotic Buddhism movement which struggled for peace and independence. This was also a protecting place of many revolutionary fighters. Khai Doan pagoda was the place broke out many political struggles, contributed an important part to the revolutionary movement of our people. In September 1959, nearly 7.000 buddhists organized a mass demonstration in Kha Hoan (Khả Hoàn) pagoda. They asked President Ngo Dinh Diem (Ngô Đình Diệm) to carry out the Geneva Convention. In July, 1963 the Monk Thich Quang Huong (Thích Quảng Hương) (the Representative of DakLak Buddhism, the head of Khai Doan pagoda) burned himself to death right on the day the international deputation come to inspect. That made the struggle more drastic. In the morning of 30th, January, 1968 (the first day of Mau Than (Mậu Thân) tet (tết) holiday), almost 7.000 people of Buon Ma Thuoc gathered together in Khai Doan pagoda to listen to the propaganda of policy of the National Front for the Liberation of South Vietnam. Then, they paraded on some streets.

Along with the Bao Dai's private Residence, Lac Giao (Lạc Giao) Communal House, Buon Ma Thuoc Exile House... Khai Doan Pagoda is an attractive place for tourists. It is also a cultural, historical vestige of Dak Lak province and Buon Ma Thuoc city.

By D. Loan (from many sources)