A solemn bell casting ceremony was held at Tu Pagoda.
(Baonghean.vn) - Tu Pagoda in Nghi Phong commune, Nghi Loc district, recently held a ceremony to pour molten bronze for casting a large bronze bell.
Attending the ceremony were Venerable Thich Thanh Nhieu - Standing Vice Chairman of the Executive Council, Head of the Executive Board of the Vietnam Buddhist Association of Nghe An province; Venerable Thich Tho Lac - Standing Deputy Head of the Executive Board of the Vietnam Buddhist Association of Nghe An province - abbot of Tu Pagoda, along with monks and Buddhists in the province; representatives of agencies, departments, and organizations of Nghi Phong commune, Nghi Loc district, as well as philanthropists and local people.
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| 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 were brass, copper, and tin. The bell is 2.1 meters high, has a diameter of 1.25 meters at its widest point, and weighs 1.5 tons; its circumference is meticulously carved with intricate patterns and motifs by bronze casting artisans from Nam Dinh province. The casting of the bell contributes to the completion of the restoration and reconstruction plan for the temple's structures, which had been damaged by war and time.
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| Venerable Thich Tho Lac - Deputy Head of the Standing Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in Nghe An province, abbot of Tu Pagoda, performs the blessing ceremony before pouring molten bronze to cast the bell. Photo: Phuong Nam |
Previously, in accordance with the wishes of Buddhist followers and local people 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 Board of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha of Nghe An province issued Decision No. 78/QD-BTST appointing Venerable Thich Tho Lac as the abbot of Tu Pagoda.
After a period of restoration and reconstruction, several parts of the temple have now been basically completed, and the number of Buddhists and tourists coming to pray for peace and worship Buddha is increasing.
