Quang Binh: Opening ceremony of the National Historical Relic of Hoang Phuc Pagoda

Overview of the ceremony. (Source: Quang Binh Newspaper)

On February 23, the People's Committee of Le Thuy district (Quang Binh) held the Opening Ceremony of the National Historical Relic of Hoang Phuc Pagoda in 2024, attracting tens of thousands of people, tourists from all over the country and Buddhists to attend.

Hoang Phuc Pagoda is located in Thuan Trach village, My Thuy commune, Le Thuy district (Quang Binh). With a history of more than 710 years, Hoang Phuc Pagoda is considered the oldest pagoda in the Central region, located on a high land, nearly 10,000m2 wide, on the right bank of Kien Giang river.

After many renovations, Hoang Phuc Pagoda still retains ancient artifacts from the Tran Dynasty such as: the statue of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara, an 80kg bronze bell cast during the reign of King Minh Mang, Bodhisattva Ksitigarbha, incense burner, lotus throne, flower vase...

The 2024 Hoang Phuc Pagoda Festival is held with many cultural and spiritual activities according to Buddhist rituals such as: Water procession, opening ceremony, Fish release ceremony. Notable among them is the water procession with the ritual of taking sacred water to worship in the Buddha hall, performing the ritual of bathing the Buddha statue to pray for good harvest and favorable weather.

To participate in the sacred water procession, the Organizing Committee selected young men from traditional boat racing villages to go upstream to Kien Giang River to bring water back.

Along with Buddhist rituals, the festival takes place with many unique cultural and sports activities such as: Le Thuy singing; king, general, dragon, tiger dance; bai choi festival; traditional swing; chess competition; tug of war; calligraphy; stick pushing; traditional martial arts performance; display of local OCOP product booths.

The festival also includes activities at four locations: visiting the traditional house, the memorial house of General Vo Nguyen Giap; An Xa pagoda; Than Hoang temple and Hoang Phuc pagoda.

Chairman of the People's Committee of Le Thuy district Dang Dai Tinh affirmed that the organization of the Hoang Phuc Pagoda Historical Relic Festival aims to maintain and develop the cultural and spiritual values of the people, arouse the fine traditions of the nation; enhance the sense of responsibility of all levels, sectors and people in preserving, protecting and promoting the cultural values of historical relics, landscapes and scenic spots in the district. At the same time, the activity introduces to domestic and foreign tourists the unique beauty of the countryside associated with the Le Thuy River - the homeland of the legendary general Vo Nguyen Giap.

As part of the opening ceremony of Hoang Phuc Pagoda, on the morning of February 23, the Organizing Committee carried out the "First Spring Fish Release" on Kien Giang River with a total value of released fish of about 600 million VND, aiming to create aquatic resources.

The 2024 Hoang Phuc Pagoda Historical Relic Festival will be held for two days, from February 23-24 (January 14 and 15 of the year of the Dragon)./.

[Putting fish into the dragon palanquin. (Photo: Nguyen Lanh/VNA)]

Water procession and fish sacrifice ceremony at Tran Temple Seal Opening Festival, Spring Giap Thin 2024

On February 21, at the Tran Temple - Thap Pagoda Historical and Cultural Relic Site, Loc Vuong Ward, Nam Dinh City, Nam Dinh Province, a water procession and fish offering ceremony took place to commemorate and show gratitude to the ancestors of the Tran Dynasty.

(Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/quang-binh-khai-hoi-di-tich-lich-su-quoc-gia-chua-hoang-phuc-post929054.vnp

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