Thien Lai pagoda or Phan Loi pagoda is situated at residential group No 2 (Yen Dung ward), which was ranked a provincial historic and cultural relic in 2009, becoming a cultural and spiritual destination for Buddhism followers and tourists.

The delegates cut the ribbon to inaugurate newly renovated Thien Lai pagoda.

The name “Thien Lai” means “good things come from the god”, evoking the image of a sacred place where Buddhas and Bodhisattvas descended to the human realm, gathering the spiritual essence of heaven and earth.

This is an ancient pagoda belonging to Truc Lam Yen Tu Zen Sect, which was built in 13th century. The pagoda has both architectural values and profound spiritual meaning. It is a harmonious space between human and nature, between the past and present.

Former Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan and other delegates present flowers to congratulate the grand celebration.

This place also reminds people of the moral lesson “when drinking water, remember its source” and encourages kindness and virtuous living.

In his opening remark, venerable Thich Truc Thai Minh, abbot of Ba Vang pagoda in Quang Ninh province and head of Thien Lai pagoda stressed, the pagoda used to be the place for Viet Minh cadres to disseminate propaganda, gather for meetings and military training during the pre-uprising period and the resistance against the French invaders.

Venerable Thich Truc Thai Minh presents a donation of 100 million VND to Bac Ninh’s “For the poor” fund.

After the August Revolution in 1945, the pagoda was selected as the headquarter of Viet Minh Front and a place to receive and cure wounded and sick soldiers. When it was detected as the base of Viet Minh, French colonists fired Thien Lai pagoda causing serious damages.

Local people contributed to rebuilding the pagoda in 1988. Although its scale was not as big as before, it became a place for spiritual and cultural activities of local people. Over time, the pagoda gradually deteriorated.

Thanks to agreement by the provincial Buddhist Sangha Executive Committee, venerable Thich Truc Thai Minh and other venerable monks called for investment to renovate Thien Lai pagoda.

The pagoda was rebuilt in 2018 on an area of over 8,000 square meters.

The project has been completed majestically with the main items of the main hall, ancestral house, monks’ and nuns’ houses, triple gate, bell tower and drum tower, serving the religious needs of the people and Buddhism followers.

The total investment is over 100 billion VND (3.78 million USD) mobilized from the society.

A large number of people and Buddhism followers attend the grand inauguration ceremony of Thien Lai pagoda.

At the grand ceremony, a series of solemn rituals were performed including Buddha recitation, incense offering to the Buddha, chanting Great Compassion Mantra and Lotus Sutra, bell ringing and drum beating and praying for national peace and people’s well-being.

Besides, the delegates cut the ribbon to inaugurate and bring the new Thien Lai pagoda into operation.

On this occasion, the Managing Board of the pagoda presented Bac Ninh province 100 million VND (3,787 USD) to support flood victims.

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