Bai Dinh pagoda festival opens

Attending the opening ceremony were member of the Party Central committee, Secretary of provincial party Committee Doan Minh Huan, Chairman of the provincial People's Council Mai Van Tuat, and Chairman of the provincial People's Committee Pham Quang Ngoc, among others.

Most Venerable Thich Thanh Nhieu, Standing Vice Chairman of the VBS Executive Council, the executive board of the VBS in the northern province of Ninh Binh, thousands of Buddhist monks, nuns and followers, and locals joined the event.

The original 1,000 year-old Bai Dinh Pagoda (Bai Dinh Co Tu), located in Gia Vien district's Gia Sinh commune, is composed of temples worshipping Buddha, the Mountain God, and the Mother Goddess of the Forest. It lies about 800 metres from the Tam The Temple of the new Bai Dinh Pagoda area - also known as the Bai Dinh Buddhism Spiritual Centre, covering 700ha.

The festival, which lasts until the end of the third lunar month, includes palanquin processions and a series of ceremonies praying for peace and paying respect to Buddha, the gods and the goddesses.

Secretary of provincial party committee Doan Minh Huan and Most Venerable Thich Thanh Nhieu, Standing Vice Chairman of the VBS Executive Council rang drums and bells to kick-start the festival.

Religious dignitaries, monks, nuns, and tourists performed spiritual rituals to pray for peace, good weather, prosperity, and happiness.

Translated by Nguyen Thuy