"Mini-museum" preserving hundreds of old artifacts.

Serey Pro Chum Vongs Pagoda (commonly known as Peam Buôl Thmây Pagoda) is not only a familiar spiritual destination for the Khmer people, but also an interesting stop for many tourists. This is because it still preserves hundreds of ancient artifacts in a space considered a "mini-museum" of the pagoda.

Tourists visit the exhibition of ancient artifacts at Peam Buôl Thmây pagoda.

Nestled in the tranquil setting of Phu Loi ward ( Can Tho City), the pagoda stands out with its harmonious blend of yellow and white hues, its architecture and intricate carvings telling the story of Southern Khmer culture through the ages. Within this space, a small corner draws visitors in – the pagoda's "mini-museum," where ancient memories are cherished as precious treasures.

Not large or elaborate, the exhibition space nonetheless evokes a sense of intimacy with its rice mill, flattened rice pounding mortar, sickle, harrow, rake, and other farming tools, as if still imbued with the spirit of past harvests. Each exhibit is a slice of life, simple yet authentic. Standing before the time-worn flattened rice pounding mortar, Lam Thi Hau (Vinh Chau ward) said: "I feel like I'm transported back to the stories my grandparents used to tell, through these familiar objects before my eyes."

Few people know that this "mini-museum" started from very simple things. Nearly 10 years ago, Venerable Dinh Hoang Su, Abbot of Peam Buol Thmay Pagoda, only kept a few old items as mementos. When Buddhists and people from all over learned of the story, each old item brought in was both a gift and a way to convey memories. Mr. Thai Nghia, a volunteer dedicated to the pagoda, recounted, "Someone called to say they had old items they wanted to donate, so I went to pick them up. For heavy items, I hired a vehicle, but for the rest, I carried them back myself. Each item I brought back brought me joy, because it preserved a part of my memories."

Currently, this place houses over 500 artifacts, ranging from agricultural tools and household items to objects associated with life on the river. All are neatly arranged, like a silent chronicle of the lives of the local people, the Khmer ethnic group, from the past to the present. Behind the pagoda, there are also ox carts, horse-drawn carts, rice threshing machines, and even a Ngo boat under the shade of trees. Venerable Dinh Hoang Su simply said: “Initially, we only kept a few old items. Later, Buddhists appreciated them and brought more. We keep them so that future generations can understand how their ancestors lived.”

More than just a display space, this "mini-museum" is also a bridge between generations. There, young people can connect with things that once only existed in stories, while older generations can find a piece of their memories. These artifacts serve as a reminder that there are values ​​that cannot be measured by time or material possessions. These are memories, ways of life, and the culture that have nurtured generations.

According to Venerable Dinh Hoang Su, the pagoda is planning to build a larger cultural museum, measuring 7.9m wide and 19m long, to better preserve artifacts and gradually integrate it with the development of cultural tourism .

Text and photos: THACH PICH

Source: https://baocantho.com.vn/-bao-tang-mini-luu-giu-hang-tram-ky-vat-xua-a203365.html