On the morning of February 15th (the 6th day of the first lunar month of the Year of the Dragon), the opening ceremony of the Bai Dinh Pagoda Spring Festival 2024 took place at Tam Quan Noi, Bai Dinh Pagoda (Gia Sinh commune, Gia Vien district). This event is part of a series of activities commemorating the 10th anniversary of the Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex being inscribed by UNESCO as a World Cultural and Natural Heritage Site, the only mixed heritage site in Southeast Asia.
Attending the opening ceremony were: Comrade Doan Minh Huan, Member of the Central Committee of the Party, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee; Mai Van Tuat, Standing Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Council; Pham Quang Ngoc, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; members of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee; leaders of the Provincial People's Committee; the Provincial Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front; and leaders of several departments and agencies of the province.
Representing the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha were Venerable Thich Thanh Nhieu, Permanent Vice Chairman of the Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha; the Executive Board of the Ninh Binh Provincial Buddhist Sangha; and a large number of monks, nuns, Buddhists, and tourists from within and outside the province.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Venerable Thich Thanh Nhieu, Permanent Vice Chairman of the Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha and Abbot of Bai Dinh Pagoda, highlighted the immense historical and cultural value of Bai Dinh Pagoda. According to him, the ancient Bai Dinh Pagoda, built thousands of years ago, is located within the caves of Dinh Mountain – a famous landmark of the ancient capital of Hoa Lu. This is where King Quang Trung chose to perform the flag-worshiping ceremony, encouraging his generals and soldiers before marching to Thang Long to decisively defeat the invading Qing army.
Despite enduring many historical ups and downs, the ancient Bai Dinh Pagoda has been preserved by monks, Buddhist followers, and the people to this day and for generations to come. To promote the cultural values of Buddhism, contribute to building a peaceful and happy life for the people, and express gratitude to the ancestors who contributed to the nation's development, Bai Dinh Pagoda has been expanded and rebuilt with magnificent, traditional architecture. Therefore, the pagoda has become a famous spiritual tourist destination, fulfilling the spiritual needs of Buddhist followers, and serving as proof of the Vietnamese Party and State's commitment to freedom of belief and religion.
The Bai Dinh Pagoda Festival is a major event in Vietnamese spiritual culture, held annually on the 6th day of the first lunar month and lasting until the end of the third lunar month. The Bai Dinh Pagoda Festival consists of two parts: the ceremonial part and the festive part, with rituals such as: offering incense and commemorating the merits of the emperors and ancestors; reciting Buddhist prayers for blessings and national peace; and the procession of palanquins to the ancient Bai Dinh Pagoda…
The opening ceremony of Bai Dinh Pagoda also impressed locals and tourists with its vibrant cultural performances, creating a joyful and exciting atmosphere, and praying for a peaceful, lucky, and happy new year for all families. On the opening day alone, thousands of devotees and tourists came to visit and worship.
At the opening ceremony of Bai Dinh Pagoda, Comrade Doan Minh Huan, Member of the Central Committee of the Party and Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, beat the drum; Venerable Thich Thanh Nhieu, Permanent Vice Chairman of the Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha and Abbot of Bai Dinh Pagoda, rang the bell to officially open the Bai Dinh Pagoda Festival 2024.
Following this, provincial leaders, religious dignitaries, monks, nuns, Buddhists, and visitors from all over performed rituals of offering six kinds of offerings, burning incense to Buddha, and praying at the Main Hall, hoping for national peace and prosperity, favorable weather, and a new year filled with good health, success, abundance, and happiness for everyone.
Dao Hang - Minh Quang - Minh Duong
Comment (0)