The rise of a "Buddhist land"

Gam Pagoda - Yen Thanh Buddhist Center. Photo: Huy Thu

After only a short period of revival and restoration, Buddhism in the rice land of Yen Thanh has flourished, making a practical contribution to building a happy life, good life and good religion.

According to Venerable Thich Tue Minh - abbot of Gam pagoda, after the pagoda was approved for restoration by the Provincial People's Committee (in 2012), with the cooperation of monks, nuns and Buddhists, the Gam temple - pagoda relic site has been expanded, renovated and become more spacious. From the original modest ancient structures, the pagoda grounds have been expanded, many new structures have been built, such as the three-door gate, monks' house, guest house, lecture hall, bell tower, drum tower, statue garden, library, dining room... creating a harmonious architectural complex.

Along with that is the promotion of practice, ordination, volunteering, and organizing retreats, aiming to bring Buddhist teachings and ethics to the people. Every year, the pagoda organizes many important festivals, especially the Gam Pagoda festival, which attracts tens of thousands of participants.

Bao Lam Pagoda (Hoa Thanh) was formerly located next to Bao Lam communal house, creating a complex of relics with beautiful and sacred architecture. Today, the pagoda is in the process of restoration and embellishment. What is special is that it still preserves many ancient artifacts made of stone and wood crafted hundreds of years ago.

In Hoa Thanh commune, Bao Lam pagoda, an ancient pagoda dating back to the Ly dynasty, has been "revived" and restored after a long period of "falling into oblivion".

Thanks to the unanimity of "Buddhist hearts", after a short time of construction, Bao Lam Pagoda from a vast stagnant pond has become a high relic site with green gardens and new architectural works such as guest house, lecture hall, monk house, meditation hall, statue garden...

“Going to the temple is an essential need for me, to change my mind and body. Through the retreats, sermons, and teachings at the temple, I have gradually absorbed the teachings, become less angry, and live more peacefully and serenely.”

Buddhist Nguyen Thi Han (65 years old) is from Phuc Thanh commune.

Sparkling night of lanterns at Gam Pagoda.

Up to now, in Yen Thanh district, there have been 3 pagodas approved for restoration by the Provincial People's Committee: Gam Pagoda (Xuan Thanh commune), Bao Lam Pagoda (Hoa Thanh commune), and Huong Pagoda (My Thanh commune).

Particularly, Truc Lam Yen Thanh Zen Monastery (Xuan Thanh commune) has been and is being built, located in the Ru Gam spiritual cultural complex, including many works, bearing the mark of contemporary Vietnamese Buddhist culture, an important highlight of Buddhism in the North Central region.

In addition, many pagodas in localities such as: Tanh Pagoda (Hop Thanh), Hau Pagoda (Bac Thanh), Non Nuoc Pagoda (Khanh Thanh), Trung Pagoda (Trung Thanh), Bao Luong Pagoda (Bao Thanh), Van Son Pagoda (Vinh Thanh), Thien Tai Pagoda (Phuc Thanh), Thien Tam Pagoda (Ly Thanh), Kim Lien Pagoda (Lien Thanh), Yen Pagoda (Nhan Thanh), Truyen Thach Pagoda (Ma Thanh) ... are in the process of completing the procedures for restoration.

Currently, the district has 32 Buddhist temples operating in 27/39 communes and towns with a total of about 12,000 Buddhists and tens of thousands of people sympathetic to Buddhism. Some monks and nuns in the temples have participated in social activities (delegates of the District People's Council, the District Fatherland Front) contributing to raising the status of Buddhism in the locality.

Chi Linh Pagoda builds a bridge to cross the flood, "bringing electricity to the village" for people in remote areas. Photo: Archive

Every year, the pagodas also open training courses and many cultural, artistic and sports exchange activities with local people.

The pagodas also regularly call for and organize many charity programs for remote areas, such as: "Bridge of Love", "Bringing Electricity to the Village", "School Sponsorship"... building many charity houses, many flood bridges, giving thousands of gifts to share difficulties with families in difficult circumstances and policies...

“Buddhism in Yen Thanh has existed for a long time, although it has just been revived, it has had many positive developments. Hopefully, Buddhism in the homeland of “Dinh river, Gam village” will continue to develop in the right direction of the church and soon establish the Yen Thanh Buddhist Executive Committee.”

Mr. Nguyen Danh Tue - Chairman of the Fatherland Front Committee of Yen Thanh district

Drum beating competition at Gam pagoda.