Bai Dinh Pagoda: Venue for the United Nations Day of VESAK viewed from the air
The grandest padoga in South East Asia (Bai Dinh Pagoda) in Ninh Binh are being decorated and finalizing all stages for the preparations of the opening ceremony of the United Nations Day of VESAK (UNDV) 2014.
| The United Nations Day of VESAK (UNDV) 2014 is going to be held from 7th to 11th May, 2014. This is a remarkable cultural – religious celebration of the year 2014, which honors the tremendous value of humanity and peace. Also, the event itself is an ideal chance to promote Vietnam country along with its people to international friends. Simultaneously, the celebration confirms the support of Vietnam Communist Party and Government to religion freedom. The main theme of this year UNDV is “Buddhist perspective towards achieving the United Nations millennium development goals”. So far, this has been the second time Vietnam held this UNDV after its first successful celebration in May, 2008. |
Video: the grandest pagoda in South East Asia is prepared to welcome VESAK
Bai Dinh Pagoda has a huge and gorgeous architectural style, situated on a 700-hectare area with 20 buildings including 27 hectares of the old pagoda area, 80 hectares of the new pagoda area and other buildings are being constructed.
It is not only the grandest pagoda in Vietnam but the most gorgeous one in South East Asia. On May 7, this will be the venue for the UNDV 2014. Currently, national flags of nearly 100 countries have been held up at the front gate.
Mrs. Nguyen Thi Thanh, Ninh Binh provincial party committee secretary has informed that the scale of this UNDV is far larger than the one organized in 2008 in Hanoi, in terms of the number of delegates, countries and number of days (4 days).
At present, a 4-star hotel with 56 rooms, fundamentally for monks, nuns and heads of state (on the left of the main pagoda) is ready to serve.
Now, all material facilities for ceremonies such as thurification, flower garlands and colored lanterns releasing and peace praying are being carried out at large yards in the pagoda.
Within the scope of the Day, there will be many cultural activities held such as Buddhist Photographic Art Exhibition, art performances, cinema, Buddhist Cultural Fair, etc. And the main events of the Day will also be held here. Furthermore, there will be other cultural activities held in Hanoi, Ha Nam and Thanh Hoa provinces.
Key constructions, such as the Central hall, where all opening and closing activities will be held, have been repaired, for instance improving roads, intensifying lighting system for illumination and declaration, building more public hygiene systems.
In tandem with security, the hygiene, translation, volunteers and support for delegates are contributed by students from universities in Hanoi.
The management board of Bai Dinh Pagoda is the proactive group of material facilities and food and drink. As anticipated, buffets (approximately 5000 dishes/meal) in the basement of Tam The Temple for delegates and guests; moreover, there will be about 40 000 lunch boxes per day for Buddhists and people who come to attend the event.
Monks and nuns who are not official delegates, along with other Vietnamese and international Buddhists will be guided to stay in around 100 guesthouses, more than 20 pagodas and houses of Buddhists living nearby.
The 3500-seat Hall, built in 1 month, is urgently being finalized in the last stage.
Source: Manh Thang - Hoang Anh/ Zing News
Translate: Hoang Khanh - Cam Tu
