On the morning of 30/4/2018 – the full moon day of Lunar March of Mau Tuat Year (2018), in Khanh Hung Pagoda (Tan Quoi Village, Phong Hoa Commune, Lai Vung District, Dong Thap Province) the Management of Khanh Hung Pagoda and Tue Tam VH Group preside over the Stage 2 Inauguration of the Pagoda after 5 months’ construction and renovation.
Stage 01 was completed on 03/02/2018 – Please read about Stage 01 here.
Attending the ceremony are Venerable Thich Tri Thuong, the head of Khanh Hung Pagoda, representatives of the Fatherland Front of Lai Vung District, the Fatherland Front of Phong Hoa Commune, the Religion Committee of Lai Vung District, the People Committee of Tan Quoi Village, the managements of Cao Dai, Hoa Hao, Catholic Sects, temples, shrines and over 100 Buddhist disciples and communal people.
In his opening speech, Venerable Thich Tri Thuong informs that Khanh Hung Pagoda was established in 1929 and underwent major repair in 1963. Now, 55 years later, the Pagoda continues to serve as the place of spiritual culture and value for the people and Buddhist disciples. However, the Pagoda’s deterioration with age makes it difficult for the residing monks in their taking care of the place and maintenance of the spiritual activities.
By end of 2017, after the head venerable of the Pagoda passed away, by the decision of the management of the Buddhist Sangha of Dong Thap Province, Venerable Thich Tri Thuong was appointed head venerable to take care of Buddhist affairs in Khanh Hung Pagoda. Seeing the conditions of the Pagoda, the Venerable has vowed to restore it, and sent an open letter to Tue Tam VH Group discussing his intention.
The representatives of other religion sects and the local government have praised the decision to renovate the Pagoda from the Venerable and Buddhist disciples far and wide, and expressed their belief that the place will continue its missions of faith propagation and education for several generals of monks and nuns to come.
To contribute to the restoration and preservation of the historical, cultural, artistic and architectural beauty of Khanh Hung Pagoda and to help preserving and promoting the religious faith and fine customs of the local people, Tue Tam VH Group and benefactors have vowed to offer their support in cash and kinds to restore the Pagoda to good conditions to serve the people and Buddhist disciples far and wide.
In the ceremony, Chanh Tam Tue, a Buddhist disciple in Tue Tam VH Group also makes a speech thanking the benefactors and Buddhist disciples for their contribution to the renovation of the Pagoda, and thanking the governments of all levels for their support in the construction work. Among the benefactors are the family of Mr. Dang Quoc Hung and Ms. Truong Thu Thuy in Ha Noi who contribute VND40 million, the family of Mr. Hoang Thang and Ms. Dinh Nhung in Binh Duong who contribute and campaign other Buddhist disciples to contribute the total amount of VND40 million, Ms. Pham Thi Huan and Ms. Pham Thi Hai and their children and grand-children in Vung Tau who contribute over VND80 million.
Ms. Pham Thi Huan, Ms. Pham Thi Hai and their children, grand-children
At present, the construction works already finished are the renovation of the main hall, the new construction of 01 living room, 01 kitchen, 03 dwelling rooms for the residing monks, 01 bathroom and 02 toilets for visitors and a fence of 2m high and 70m long surrounding the Pagoda. Tue Tam VH Group has contributed the total amount of VND215 million for the renovation of, and necessary supplies to, the Pagoda.
Mr. Dang Quoc Hung and Ms. Truong Thu Thuy family
Items offered to the Pagoda include: 20 benches, 30 costumes, 10 stainless table-chair sets, 30 cushions for sutra chanting, 05 sets of mosquito nets and blankets, 10 sets of pots and plastic glasses, 01 clock and 300kg of rice.
After having performed the ceremony, the representatives of the benefactors and the management committee of Khanh Hung Pagoda cut the inauguration band, offer incense to the Three Refuges and pray for the well propagation of Buddhism and peace and welfare to the human beings.
In this occasion, Tue Tam VH Group gives 28 gifts of VND200,000 worth each to families with difficulties in the locality.
On behalf of the management committee of Khanh Hung Pagoda and the local Buddhist disciples, Tue Tam VH Group express our deep gratitude to all benefactors and people far and near who contribute to the renovation and new construction of Khanh Hung Pagoda, and our wish that they shall continue their spiritual development and their support to the Pagoda in future.
We sincerely pray that innumerable human coming to the Pagoda to see the light, follow the path of the Buddhas to their complete enlightenment.
