Restoration and reconstruction of Ngu Dai Pagoda and Huyen Thien Pagoda

Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Trieu The Hung gave a speech at the workshop.

Speaking at the workshop, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Trieu The Hung emphasized that Ngu Dai Pagoda and Huyen Thien Pagoda are ancient historical sites, holding an important position in the Truc Lam Zen Buddhist sect, marking the Truc Lam Tam To and famous people such as Tran Nguyen Dan, Nguyen Phi Khanh, Tran Thanh Tong. He hopes to receive many contributions from scientists and researchers to further clarify the value of these two relics; discover and collect more new documents related to the relics, contributing to proving the value and role of Ngu Dai Pagoda and Huyen Thien Pagoda in the relic system of Hai Duong province.

Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Trieu The Hung requested the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the People's Committee of Chi Linh City and the Provincial Buddhist Sangha to advise and propose the renovation, embellishment and reconstruction of Ngu Dai Pagoda and Huyen Thien Pagoda commensurate with the scale and stature of the relics, thereby connecting the key relics of Con Son, Kiep Bac, Thanh Mai Pagoda, Chu Van An Temple and relics in neighboring provinces and cities.

Associate Professor, Dr. Tran Lam Bien, cultural heritage researcher, speaking at the workshop

At the workshop, opinions highlighted the value of the relics of Ngu Dai Pagoda (Hoang Tien Ward) and Huyen Thien Pagoda (Van An Ward) from the perspective of geographical location on the land of talented people in Chi Linh; historical and cultural values ​​expressed through historical sources and ancient documents; the history of formation and development associated with the Truc Lam Zen Buddhist sect; the architectural evolution of the relics through the historical periods of Tran - Le - Nguyen; the value of the relics from the perspective of religion and belief, in relation to the natural conditions, cultural history, religion and belief of the land of Chi Linh; the value of natural landscapes and ecological environment associated with the place names of Ngu Dai Mountain and Huyen Thien Pagoda...

Opinions also proposed contents with the nature of preserving and promoting the value of the two relics such as management and restoration work should aim for sustainable development, avoid the situation of restoration and reconstruction that violates legal principles, combine modernity with tradition, perfect the transportation system, train talented monks; emphasize the research on the tangible value of the relics along with the research and promotion of the value of Truc Lam Buddhism, Buddhist ideology, and the spirit of Truc Lam Buddhism; restoration must comply with the principles of the Law on Cultural Heritage as well as the procedures and methods for preserving, restoring, and rehabilitating relics...

Based on the results of archaeological excavations, scientists have discovered the foundation and artifacts from the Tran Dynasty (12th, 14th century), the post-Le Dynasty (17th, 18th century) and extending to the Nguyen Dynasty (19th, 20th century) of Ngu Dai Pagoda. This is a famous ancient site, holding an important position in the Truc Lam Zen Buddhist sect. Huyen Thien Pagoda is also known as Van Tien ancient cave, where legend has it that Huyen Van, a resident of Chi Linh, came here to practice the elixir of life.

VIET QUYNH