Dong Cao Pagoda- Thanh Hoa Province- Founder’s Death Anniversary

Knowing that burned incense flies to heaven

Fall leaves go to land, fall rains drop to source

But when tears fill in eyes

Why do ancestors leave the sadness behind

 Dong Cao Pagoda is located in Nga Yen Village, Nga Son District, Thanh Hoa Provice. This is one of the ancient pagodas of Hoang Phap in the north of Vietnam. On 1st Dec,   2017 (14th Oct in Lunar calendar), a 29th -Founder’s Death Anniversary was organized to memorize the founder of Hoang Phap- Monk Ngo Chan Tu (1901-1988) - and other ancestors contributing to the establishment of Dong Cao Pagoda.

 Before the opening, participants were offered some musical performances, which praising the merit of Founders, Sutras and homeland, shown byartists.

 The Anniversary were attended and witnessed by Thich Nguyen Hiep - Junior Venerable and Vice President of Buddhist Regional Organization in Kim Lien Pagoda, Nga Son district, Vietnam; Thich Tam Hung-   Abbot Junior Venerable, Abbot of Dong Cao Pagoda and head of the Anniversary organization; nun Thich Nu Thanh Thuy- Abbot of Kim Thanh Pagoda and admin of Buddhist Regional Organization in Nga Son District, Vietnam; and nearly 500 Buddha believers.

In the beginning of the event, MC Thien Dung directed the mass to save a silence time in memory of Late Most Ven.Ngo Chan Tu, who was known as a real monk, a respected teacher of many Buddhists.

 In solemn and peaceful ambience, Abbot Jun. Ven.Thich   Tam Hung on behalf of all people in Dong Cao Pagoda, gave some brief introduction of the Late Most Venerable’s history. Moreover, in order to show gratitude to the Religious Master, in-home-Buddhists appointed Buddhist Dieu Tam to share some feelings on His favor.

 Then, the mass enjoyed the song â€œWorship Avalokytesvara Boddhisattve” performed by singer Nhu Lan.

 In the Anniversary, Abbot Jun. Ven. Thich Nguyen Hiep, on behalf of all monks and nuns, stated that there had already been some speeches, compliments to the Late Most Venerable, proving Himself was a bright role model for all Buddhist to follow. The Abbot Most Venerable also added that every Buddhists should learn Sutras more diligently in order to repay grace to Religious Master.

 Later on, monks and Buddhists respectfully offered incense to Religious Master Ngo Chan Tu, showing their the eternal gratitude, after that, all chanted Buddha’sprior-Nirvana sutra.

 The event ended happily. During it, participants were offered DVD named “Commemoration in 2016” and Buddha’s prior-Nirvana sutra translated by monk Thich Tri Quang.

Below are some recorded pictures of the ceremony: