Duong Hoa inaugurated the project to restore and embellish the national relic Dai Bi Pagoda.

Leaders of the Hanoi Department of Ethnic Minorities and Religions, Party Committee - People's Council - People's Committee - Fatherland Front Committee of Duong Hoa commune presented flowers to congratulate. *Photo: Phuong Nguyen*

According to historical records, Dai Bi Pagoda was built around the 14th century (Tran Dynasty) - a period of brilliant development of Vietnamese Buddhism. The pagoda is located in Hamlet 6, Que Duong Village, Duong Hoa Commune. One of the precious antiques of the pagoda preserved to this day is the stone Buddha altar (lotus stone pedestal) in the Upper Palace, dating from the 14th century. This is a vivid testament to the tradition of worship and spiritual life of the people over the past decades. The commune is proposing that the competent authority recognize the Lotus Stone Pedestal as a National Treasure.

Delegates and people attending the ceremony. *Photo: Phuong Nguyen*

Throughout its existence, Dai Bi Pagoda has not only been a place of worship and practice, but also a space for cultural and religious activities of people in and outside the region; a place to entrust traditional beliefs and ethics, and a spiritual support for generations of homeland children. In 1997, Dai Bi Pagoda was ranked as an architectural and artistic relic by the Ministry of Culture and Information (now the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism ).

Over time and through the ups and downs of history, many parts of the pagoda have been degraded, affecting the historical value of the relic. In September 2023, the project to restore and embellish the Dai Bi pagoda relic was started, with an investment of more than 12 billion VND from the state budget and other legal sources of capital.

Delegates cut the ribbon to inaugurate the project. *Photo: Phuong Nguyen*

The project includes the following items: Restoration and embellishment of the Tam Bao, Tam Quan and technical infrastructure, fences, paving, electricity supply, water supply and drainage...

Speaking at the ceremony, Vice Chairman of Duong Hoa Commune People's Committee Nguyen Dinh Khoa said that with the attention and facilitation of Party committees and authorities at all levels and the support and donations of the people, the project to restore and embellish Dai Bi Pagoda relic has been implemented and completed on schedule, ensuring the preservation of the historical and architectural value of the relic.

Vice Chairman of Duong Hoa Commune People's Committee Nguyen Dinh Khoa speaks. *Photo: Phuong Nguyen*

This is not only the restoration of a relic, but also has the meaning of preserving the cultural memory of the homeland; promoting the value of landscape and architecture; creating conditions for the development of cultural and spiritual tourism, contributing to the education of historical traditions, ethics and national pride for the younger generation. The project is a vivid symbol of the spirit: "The State and the people work together, contributing to creating heritage for the future".

The leaders of Duong Hoa commune also requested relevant units to soon develop a plan to manage and protect the relic associated with promoting the value of the Lotus Stone Pedestal after it was recognized as a National Treasure; research to connect Dai Bi Pagoda with historical relics in the region, in order to form a chain of spiritual and historical culture typical of the locality, towards sustainable exploitation, making this place a spiritual tourism highlight of the commune.

The Village Relic Management Subcommittee closely coordinates with the people in preserving the landscape and architecture, ensuring environmental hygiene and maintaining the sacred space of the relic; properly implementing management regulations, regularly caring for and protecting, preventing the misuse of the relic; effectively preserving and promoting the value of the relic.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/duong-hoa-khanh-thanh-du-an-tu-bo-ton-tao-di-tich-cap-quoc-gia-chua-dai-bi-725232.html