(Baonghean.vn) – On the morning of April 4th, the People's Committee of Yen Thanh district coordinated...in accordance with the Management Board of the Truc Lam Yen Tu Zen sect.The groundbreaking ceremony for the Truc Lam Yen Thanh Zen Monastery and the commencement of construction for the An Quoc Great Buddha statue project were held.
Attending the ceremony, on behalf of the Central Government were: General Pham Van Tra – Former Member of the Politburo, former Minister of National Defense; Nguyen Xuan Thang – Member of the Central Committee of the Party, Director of the Vietnam Academy of Science; Nguyen The Trung – Member of the Central Committee of the Party, Deputy Head of the Standing Committee of the Central Committee for Mass Mobilization; Nguyen The Ky – Deputy Head of the Central Committee for Propaganda; Venerable Thich Thien Nhon – Chairman of the Central Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, and other dignitaries and clergy of the Central Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha.
Representing Nghe An province were: Mr. Ho Duc Phoc – Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee; Mr. Nguyen Xuan Duong – Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; Mr. Le Xuan Dai - Member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; Mr. Le Ba Hung - Member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee, Head of the Provincial Propaganda Department, along with leaders of departments, agencies at all levels; leaders of Yen Thanh district and a large number of Buddhists, people, and benefactors from within and outside the district.
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Overview of the foundation stone laying ceremony at Truc Lam Zen Monastery.Yen Thanh |
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| Delegates attending the ceremony |
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| Representatives from Buddhist organizations at all levels attended the ceremony. |
Truc Lam Yen Thanh Zen Monastery is a branch of the Truc Lam Yen Tu Zen sect, founded by Venerable Thich Thanh Tu, who restored the contemporary Zen sect on the site of its original relics. The foundation stone laying ceremony for Truc Lam Yen Thanh Zen Monastery was held in a solemn and dignified atmosphere.
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| Delegates from the Central Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Association. Photo: SM |
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 | | A solemn procession. Photo: SM |
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The ceremony began with a procession of flags, palanquins, and horses, demonstrating the people's reverence for the spiritual site, while also showcasing the spirit, Buddhist teachings, self-respect, and national pride. Following this, various artistic performances, praising the beauty of the homeland and love for the country, expressed the spirit of Vietnamese Buddhism accompanying the nation, enlivening the atmosphere before the main ceremony.
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| General Pham Van Tra delivered a speech at the ceremony. |
Speaking at the ceremony, General Pham Van Tra affirmed that Vietnamese Buddhism has a long history, serving as a cultural and spiritual foundation, accompanying the nation's development. Buddhism has integrated itself to share the hardships and joys with the nation throughout thousands of years of nation-building and defense. The construction of Truc Lam Yen Thanh Zen Monastery is a correct spiritual undertaking. Furthermore, Yen Thanh is a borderland of various dynasties in the nation's history; therefore, this sacred structure will be a symbol of humanity, guiding people towards virtuous thoughts and actions.
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Central Committee delegates attended the ceremony.
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| Comrade Nguyen Xuan Duong - Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, delivered a speech at the ceremony. |
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Mr. Nguyen Tien Loi - Chairman of the People's Committee of Yen Thanh District, delivered a speech at the ceremony.
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On behalf of the leaders of Nghe An province, Comrade Nguyen Xuan Duong – Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee – stated: The Truc Lam Yen Thanh Zen Monastery project is part of the Ru Gam Cultural, Spiritual and Ecological Tourism Complex project, helping Yen Thanh break free from its monoculture agriculture and serving as a driving force for the development of services and tourism to become a prosperous district of the province. The project also has religious and spiritual significance, linked to the tradition of patriotism, benefiting both religion and society. Nghe An province will create all favorable conditions for Yen Thanh district to complete the project, while emphasizing the importance of construction while protecting the overall landscape.
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Delegates perform the groundbreaking ceremony for the Truc Lam Yen Thanh Zen Monastery.
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General Pham Van Tra, along with monks and nuns of the Vietnam Buddhist Association, laid the symbolic foundation stone for the construction project.
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| Delegates attending the ceremony |
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| Comrade Nguyen Xuan Duong presents flowers to offer congratulations. Photo: SM |
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| Delegates attending the ceremony. Photo: SM |
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| Buddhist devotees in the procession. Photo: SM |
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| Cultural performance to welcome the event: Photo by SM |
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| The opening performance of the ceremony. |
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Thousands of people attended the important ceremony.
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The foundation stone laying ceremony is performed meticulously and elaborately, including the following parts: offering incense, purification, chanting the Prajnaparamita Sutra, chanting auspicious mantras, laying the foundation stone, and dedicating the merit.
According to the design, the An Quoc Great Buddha statue will be located atop Ru Gam mountain. Modeled after the bronze statue at Truc Lam Zen Monastery - Ho Quoc Pagoda (Phu Quoc), the An Quoc Great Buddha statue will be 41 meters tall, constructed of concrete and steel, and placed right in the middle of Ru Gam mountain, 260 meters above sea level. Upon completion, the structure will house many unique and valuable Buddhist texts and cultural artifacts, serving all those who wish to learn about Buddhism.
In the near future, Truc Lam Yen Thanh Zen Monastery and other Buddhist structures such as the An Quoc Great Buddha Statue will become sacred destinations, adding value to the spiritual and ecological tourism complex; they will be a highlight for sustainable development, awakening potential and attracting tourists to Yen Thanh district in particular and Nghe An province in general.
NPV
