Phat Tich Truc Lam Ban Gioc pagoda was officially inaugurated at a ceremony in Dam Thuy Commune, Trung Khanh distric, Cao Bang province on December 15.
The event was co-organized by Cao Bang provincial People’s Committee and the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS).
President Trương Tấn Sang attended and performed the ribbon-cutting ceremony to inaugurate the pagoda.
State guests at the ceremony also included Mrs. Hà Thị Khiết, Chairwoman of the Party Central Committee Commission for Mass Mobilization, Mr. Phạm Dũng, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs cum Chairman of the Government Committee for Religious Affairs and leaders of Cao Bang province, Ho Chi Minh city and other provinces.
Attending Buddhist dignitaries included Most Venerable Thích Thiện Nhơn, Acting President of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS) Executive Council, representatives from the VBS and Cao Bang provincial VBS, monks, nuns and followers.
Phat Tich Truc Lam Ban Gioc pagoda on the side of Ban Gioc waterfall is the first Buddhist temple built in the northern border area of the country. Its construction of Ban Gioc pagoda was started in June 2013 covering an area of three hectares. The pagoda’s main facilities include the Three Jewels worshiping building, bell and drum towers, gravestones, and temples for worshiping Mother Goddess, late President Hồ Chí Minh, late General Võ Nguyên Giáp and fallen soldiers.
During his visit to the [pagoda, President Trương Tấn Sang offered incense to the Three Jewels, visited the Mother Goddess temple and planted a tree in the pagoda.
Some images at the ceremony:
