Solemn bell casting ceremony at Tu Pagoda

Attending the ceremony were Most Venerable Thich Thanh Nhieu - Permanent Vice President of the Executive Council, Head of the Executive Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha of Nghe An province, Most Venerable Thich Tho Lac - Permanent Vice Head of the Executive Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha of Nghe An province - abbot of Tu pagoda, along with monks and Buddhists in the province; representatives of agencies, departments, organizations of Nghi Phong commune, Nghi Loc district, and benefactors and local people attending the ceremony.

Monks, government representatives, Buddhists and local people perform the bell casting ceremony. Photo: Phuong Nam

It is known that the materials used to cast the bell are brass, red copper and tin. The bell is 2.1m high, 1.25m in diameter at its widest point, and weighs 1.5 tons; the surrounding area is carved with careful and meticulous patterns and motifs by bronze casting artisans from Nam Dinh province. The casting of the bell contributes to completing the restoration plan of the pagoda's structures that were destroyed by war and time.

Venerable Thich Tho Lac - Deputy Head of the Standing Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in Nghe An province, abbot of Tu pagoda, performs a blessing ceremony before pouring bronze to cast the bell. Photo: Phuong Nam

Previously, in response to the wishes of Buddhists and local people who wanted to restore Tu Pagoda as a place for cultural, spiritual and religious activities, in June 2012, the People's Committee of Nghe An province issued a decision approving the restoration of Tu Pagoda. On July 15, 2019, the Executive Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha of Nghe An province issued Decision No. 78/QD - BTST appointing Venerable Thich Tho Lac to preside over Tu Pagoda.

After a period of restoration and reconstruction, some items of the pagoda have been basically completed, the number of Buddhists and tourists coming to pray for peace and worship Buddha is increasing.

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