Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Minh Luan worked with the Executive Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in Ca Mau province.

On the morning of September 20, a working delegation led by Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Minh Luan had a working session with the Executive Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha of Ca Mau Province (Executive Committee) to hear a report on the current status of Sac Tu Quan Am Co Tu (Buddha Pagoda).

Delegates attending the meeting.

At the meeting, the representative of the Board of Trustees reported on the history of formation, architectural structure and the process of renovation and upgrading of some items at Phat To Pagoda - This is an ancient pagoda built a long time ago, with a long tradition of Buddhist cultural beliefs in the southernmost land of the Fatherland. This place once sheltered and hid many cadres and soldiers participating in revolutionary activities, liberating the nation and liberating the homeland in the two resistance wars against France and the US.

In 2000, Phat To Pagoda was the first pagoda in Ca Mau province to be recognized as a National Artistic Monument according to Decision No. 30/2000/QD-BVHTT dated November 24, 2000 of the Ministry of Culture and Information.

The working group conducted a field survey at the ancient main hall area.

Nowadays, Phat To Pagoda is one of the places for people and Buddhist followers inside and outside the province to visit and worship, perform religious activities; this is also the place where many major Buddhist events take place in Ca Mau province.

Over time, the pagoda has gradually deteriorated, some items are damaged despite many restorations and repairs. To create conditions and meet the increasing demand for Buddhist beliefs of the people, in 2016, the Department of Construction granted a permit to build an expansion of the Hau To area (new main hall area) at the pagoda, costing more than 24 billion VND from donations from monks, nuns, and Buddhists.

Proposing at the meeting, Venerable Thach Ha, Head of the Board of Trustees, said: The current state of the ancient main hall (main hall) was built a long time ago and shows signs of deterioration. This is a project of important historical, cultural and religious value, so we hope that the competent authorities will consider and support the maintenance and repair of this area; at the same time, consider investing in expanding the Board of Trustees' Office, meeting hall, etc. to serve Buddhist activities in the province.

Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Minh Luan spoke at the meeting

Speaking at the meeting, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Minh Luan emphasized: Sac Tu Quan Am Co Tu is a national art relic of great value to Buddhism in Ca Mau province in particular and the whole country in general; it is a place where many religious activities take place, demonstrating the cultural beauty of the nation. Therefore, preserving and conserving the architecture and historical and cultural values ​​of the pagoda is the common responsibility of the local Party Committee, government as well as the Pagoda Management Board and Buddhist followers.

Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Minh Luan assigned the Department of Construction to survey and calculate options for renovating and restoring the ancient architecture of the pagoda. During the restoration process, it is necessary to consider and research to ensure that the artistic values ​​and even the smallest details are preserved. The restoration of the pagoda's items must pay attention to the application of information technology, the arrangement of boards, signs, and information about the pagoda's historical and cultural values ​​so that visitors, residents, and Buddhists have the opportunity to learn more about the historical values ​​as well as the cultural values ​​of ancient Buddhist beliefs.

Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Minh Luan requested the Board of Trustees, the Management Board, and monks and nuns to continue researching and coordinating with functional agencies to effectively implement plans to restore the pagoda, so that this place becomes one of the proud destinations for people as well as Buddhists inside and outside the province.

Source: https://www.camau.gov.vn/hoat-dong-lanh-dao-tinh/pho-chu-tich-ubnd-tinh-nguyen-minh-luan-lam-viec-voi-ban-tri-su-giao-hoi-phat-giao-viet-nam-tinh-288694