Vietnam Buddhist Center
Independence Trail Region
The Vietnam Buddhist Center in Sugarland features a traditional prayer hall and lush gardens. Its focal point is an enormous 72-foot-tall statue of Quan Am, a revered bodhisattva (one who seeks awakening) known in Vietnam as the Goddess of Compassion. It is among the tallest sculptures in the country.
The statue is surrounded by a gorgeous garden with welcoming pathways and gigantic fan-shaped water lotus leaves among colorful flowers. The prayer hall evokes a Vietnamese village with its pagoda-style roof and intricate wood detailing.
The excerpt above is from an article entitled "Discover Asia in Houston" from The Medallion, the Texas Historical Commission's official quarterly magazine.