May 26: Results of recognition of world documentary heritage will be available
Among the cultural heritage dossiers around the world that have passed the preliminary review, UNESCO is organizing evaluation, discussion and criticism of the Buddhist woodblock archive at Vinh Nghiem Pagoda, Bac Giang Province. On May 26, UNESCO will announce the results of its consideration for recognition as a world documentary heritage.
According to the history of the Truc Lam Zen sect, in order to serve the preaching and circulation of the teachings and thoughts of the Buddhist sect, from the early 14th century, the second patriarch of the Zen sect had the sutras and vinaya engraved at Vinh Nghiem pagoda such as: Dai Tang Kinh, Tu Phan Luat, Kim Cuong Trang Dharani Sutra Commentary, Tue Trung Thuong Si, Tham Thien Chi Yeu, Nirvana Sutra Commentary, Lotus Sutra Commentary...
The Buddhist woodblocks are considered by UNESCO as a world documentary heritage.
However, due to the "gangrene" policy of the Ming Dynasty, these woodblocks were destroyed in the early 15th century. At the end of the 16th century, the founders of Vinh Nghiem Pagoda continued to carve a number of wooden scriptures, but most of them were lost, with only a few remaining. It was not until the mid-18th century (during the reign of King Le Canh Hung) to the early 20th century that many wooden scriptures were carved on wood, and have been carefully preserved to this day.
It is known that this Buddhist woodblock collection includes more than 3,000 copies carved by artisans in many regions of the Red River Delta at different times from the reign of King Tu Duc to King Bao Dai.
The special value of the Buddhist scripture woodblocks of Vinh Nghiem Pagoda lies in the fact that the ideology and teachings of Truc Lam Zen Monastery are engraved very clearly and carry strong national identity along with profound humanistic values elaborately expressed on each woodblock.
In the past two days (May 20-21), the delegation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the People's Committee of Bac Giang province represented Vietnam to attend several important meetings of UNESCO to evaluate and vote on a number of tangible, intangible and documentary cultural heritages in the world.
After the conclusion of the sessions in Poland, based on the results of the secret ballot, on May 26, in Manchester (UK), UNESCO will officially announce the latest Cultural Heritage and Documentary Heritage of humanity.
Previously, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan visited Vinh Nghiem Pagoda (Bac Giang) and requested that all levels and sectors pay more attention to researching and developing plans to preserve and promote the great value of this precious documentary heritage.
According to GD&TĐ
