Construction begins on the Can Linh Pagoda National Monument.

(Baonghean.vn) - On the morning of April 6th, in Vinh City, the construction of Can Linh Pagoda commenced according to the decision of the Provincial People's Committee approving the Project for the construction and expansion of the Can Linh Pagoda National Monument.

The ceremony was attended by Venerable Thich Thien Nhon, Chairman of the Central Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, along with other Venerable religious dignitaries of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha and the Executive Board of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in Nghe An province. Representing Nghe An province were: Ms. Dinh Thi Le Thanh, Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee and Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; Mr. Vo Viet Thanh, Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee and Secretary of the Vinh City Party Committee; Mr. Nguyen Van Huy, Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Nghe An province, and representatives from several provincial departments, agencies, and Vinh City.

The Venerable Monks of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Association and the Executive Board of the Vietnam Buddhist Association of Nghe An province attended the ceremony.

Delegates attending the ceremony

Can Linh Pagoda was built in the 9th century, initially named Linh Van Tu. The name Can Linh Pagoda dates back to the reign of Emperor Tu Duc of the Nguyen Dynasty. In 1938, the pagoda had female abbesses, so the local people commonly called it the Nun's Pagoda. From 1937 to 1949, the pagoda served as a school for Hung Nguyen Secondary School. In 1945, Can Linh Pagoda was a famine relief center for the people. From 1964 to 1972, the area around Can Linh Pagoda was a 57mm artillery position of Company 9, Regiment 280 – a heroic unit that shot down the 300th aircraft in North Vietnam; it also contributed to the shooting down of 100 American aircraft by the army and people of Vinh City. With its glorious history and achievements, in 1992, Can Linh Pagoda was classified as a National Historical Monument. Having existed for over a thousand years, enduring harsh weather conditions and surviving two wars against the French and the Americans, Can Linh Pagoda has become increasingly damaged and dilapidated.

Drum performance to welcome the ceremony.

Venerable Thich Thien Nhon, Chairman of the Central Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Association, presented flowers to congratulate the abbot of Can Linh Pagoda.

Comrade Dinh Thi Le Thanh, Member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee and Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, delivered a speech at the ceremony.

With the attention of various departments and authorities from the central to local levels, Can Linh Pagoda has been approved for the construction and expansion project of the Can Linh Pagoda National Monument by a decision of the People's Committee of Nghe An province. Phase 1 of the project has a total capital of 66.8 billion VND with the following items: the Three Treasures Hall, the Ancestral Worship House, the Ancestral Worship House, the Left and Right Wings, the Bell Tower, the Drum Tower, the Three-Gate Entrance, and raising the overall foundation by 2 meters to prevent flooding. The initial phase of the project involves the construction of the Three Treasures Hall with a total value of 20 billion VND, covering an area of ​​420m2, constructed with lim wood and Bat Trang bricks and tiles… according to the drawings approved by the Department of Heritage, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and assessed by the Department of Heritage Conservation, Ministry of Construction.

Delegates participated in the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of Can Linh Pagoda.

Philanthropists supported the construction of the temple.

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, Ms. Dinh Thi Le Thanh stated that this is a large-scale project with significant religious and spiritual meaning, promoting the noble values ​​of Buddhist teachings and the tradition of "protecting the nation and ensuring the people's well-being" of Vietnamese Buddhism. Therefore, to ensure the project is completed and put into use effectively, Nghe An province will create the most favorable conditions during its implementation. The Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee requested that Vinh City coordinate with the Executive Board of the Vietnam Buddhist Association of Nghe An province, Can Linh Pagoda, and relevant departments and units to effectively implement the project according to the approved plan; and also expressed the hope that businesses, philanthropists, monks, nuns, intellectuals, and Buddhists nationwide will continue to contribute to the project's completion, fulfilling the aspirations of the people.

Delegates attending the ceremony released balloons and doves to pray for national peace and prosperity.

On this occasion, Can Linh Pagoda was also honored with the title of "Sacred Ancient Pagoda of Vietnam".

Thanh Duy