Sacred ceremony of blessing and casting Buddha statue at Duc Hau pagoda

On the morning of February 12 (ie January 19 of the lunar calendar), Duc Hau Pagoda in Nghi Duc Commune, Vinh City held a ceremony to pour bronze to cast a statue of Amitabha Buddha.

Due to the Corona virus epidemic, the ceremony was attended only by monks and statue casting artisans.

Blessing ceremony before casting the bronze Buddha statue at Duc Hau Pagoda. Photo: Hong An

The Buddha statue is nearly 80cm high and is made of bronze. The cost of casting the statue was contributed by Buddhists and benefactors. After completion, the Buddha statue will be placed in the altar of Duc Hau Pagoda.

Artisans pour bronze to cast Buddha statues at Duc Hau Pagoda. Photo: Hong An

Located in Nghi Duc commune, Vinh city, Duc Hau pagoda, with the ancient name Thien Linh Tu, was built in the 12th century in a complex of "Three religions of the same origin" including pagoda, temple, communal house, and royal shrine. This used to be a cultural, spiritual, political and social address for the people in the area and neighboring areas through many different historical periods.

In 1943, with the contributions and joint efforts of the people, the pagoda was renovated and upgraded from 2 thatched houses into a tiled pagoda and another one called the Muong house was built. However, over time, bombs and bullets of war destroyed the pagoda and it stopped operating. In 2011, based on the old foundation, in response to the wishes of the people in the area, Duc Hau pagoda was restored and the Executive Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in Nghe An province appointed Venerable Thich Dinh Tue as abbot and it has been operating until today.

With a favorable geographical location (near the center of Vinh city), the joint contributions of Buddhists and benefactors, Duc Hau pagoda has changed a lot and is becoming a center of Buddhist activities for many Buddhists in Vinh city, Nghi Loc district and neighboring areas.