Among representatives attending the ceremony included Mr. Hoang Dang Quang, Member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Council, Head of the Provincial National Assembly Delegation; Mr. Tran Cong Thuat, Standing Deputy of Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee; Mr. Nguyen Huu Hoai, Deputy of Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; Mr. Tran Bac Ha, Chairman of Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam (BIDV), Most Venerable Thich Duc Thien, General Secretary of Vietnam’s Buddhist Sangha; members of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committe, People's Council, People's Committee and Provincial Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee; representatives of some ministries and central agencies, the Vietnam’s Buddhist Sangha, local departments and branches together with hundereds of Buddhist followers and crowds of LeThuy people.

Deputies attended Hoang Phuc Pagoda Festival 2016

At the opening ceremony, representatives of Le Thuy district People's Committee reviewed the history of establishment and development of Hoang Phuc Pagoda. Accordingly, Hoang Phuc pagoda (also known as Kinh Thien Pagoda) is located in My Thuy commune, Le Thuy district. The 715-year-old Buddhist pagoda is one of the central region’s oldest and boasts the architecture typical of the country’s culturally thriving Tran Dynasty (1225-1400). The pagoda is still home to a number of prized, time-honored artifacts. Hoang Phuc pagoda was recognized as provincial-level historical relic by the Provincial People's Committee in June 2010 and as a national level historical relic by the Ministry of Culture, Sport and Tourism in Decemeber 2015.

Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Tran Tien Dung granted Decision to recognize Hoang Phuc Pagoda historical relic as a local tourism destination to the People's Committee of Le Thuy District.

In the solemn atmosphere of the opening ceremony, many activities were organized, including the announcement of Hoang Phuc Pagoda hisotrical relic as a local tourism destination and the decision of assigning Most Venerable Thich Duc Thien, General Secretary of Vietnam’s Buddhist Sangha to the management of Buddhist activities in the Hoang Phuc pagoda.

The Hoang Phuc Pagoda Festival aims to honor and commemorate King-Monk Tran Nhan Tong - an judicious emperor and the founder of Vietnamese Zen Buddhism. It also aims to make a premise for organizing the annual festival of the province, contributing to developing a sound cultural belief in the people's spiritual life as well as promote spiritual tourism activity in Le Thuy district in particular and Quang Binh province in general.

Mr. Nguyen Quang Nam, Secretary of the District Party Committee, Chairman of the District People's Council beats drums to open the festival

In the framework of opening ceremony, the festival included a series of spiritual rituals and Buddhist rites such as water procession ceremony, the opening ceremony, indoctrination ceremony, art performances, letting out flower garlands and coloured lanterns and folk games such as bai choi, keo co, volleyball, chess, etc.

By Nhu Y
(Source: Quang Binh Portal)