Bac Giang: Bo Da pagoda’s woodblocks recognised as national treasure
Carved woodblocks bearing the Sutras of Zen Buddhism at Bo Da Pagoda in Viet Yen district, the northern province of Bac Giang were named national treasures at a ceremony held in the locality on March 31.
Carved woodblocks bearing the Sutras of Zen Buddhism at Bo Da Pagoda are recognised as national treasures on March 31. (Photo: VNA)
Bac Giang (VNA) – Carved woodblocks bearing the Sutras of Zen Buddhismat Bo Da Pagoda in Viet Yen district, the northern province of Bac Giang werenamed national treasures at a ceremony held in the locality on March 31.
The pagoda, which is a centre of Lam Te Buddhism and had a major role inBuddhism’s development in Vietnam, is home to 1,953 Sutra woodblocks.
In the 18th century, monks at the pagoda carved Buddhist Sutras onthi wood (decandrous perssimmom) that is both light and pliable, making itideal for carving, preserve the texts so that they could be used to teachBuddhism.
According to Venerable Tu Tuc Vinh, head of Bo Da Pagoda, the woodblocks cover24 sets of Buddhist scriptures in Nom (ancient Vietnamese ideographic script)and Sanskrit.
The same day, Bo Da Pagoda festival, a national intangible cultural heritage, beganin the locality and will last until April 3.
The pagoda, also known as Quan Am (Goddess of Mercy), lies at the foot of apine-covered hill, surrounded by earthen walls with mountains and rivers in thedistance.
The pagoda was built in the 11th century under the Ly dynasty, thegolden age of Buddhism in Vietnam, but was badly damaged during wars insubsequent centuries. It was not until the revival of the Le dynasty under KingLe Du Tong that the pagoda was reconstructed.
Bo Da is unique for its architecture, while it appears to be a closed complexfrom the outside, the pagoda’s inside has hundreds of compartments that openinto one another. The pagoda provides visitors with a sacred, secluded refugefrom the world.
Viet Yen district will work with relevant authorities to preserve and promotethe values of Bo Da Pagoda, particularly the Buddhist woodblocks. Vice Chairmanof the district People’s Committee Nguyen Dai Luong said the district isplanning to build a special zone to exhibit and protect the woodblocks anddigitalise them using 3D scanning technologies.-VNA
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has recognised Bo Da pagoda festival in the northern province of Bac Giang as part of the national intangible cultural heritage.
The Bac Giang provincial People’s Committee received a certificate recognising Bo Da Pagoda, an ancient Buddhist temple in Tien Son commune of Viet Yen district, as a special national relic site.
The list of national treasures has been expanded with the addition of 24 new national treasures under a recent approval decision of Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc.
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Carved woodblocks bearing the Sutras of Zen Buddhism at Bo Da Pagoda are recognised as national treasures on March 31. (Photo: VNA) 
