In order to promote the cultural heritage value of the special national relic site the Temple of Literature, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Hanoi People’s Committee has agreed to the relevant units to implement the project of restoring Phuong Dinh building and embellishing Kim Chau mound of Van lake, the special national monument of Temple of Literature. However, at Kim Chau mound, there are illegal construction works with artifacts, worshiping objects and statues.
At the end of June and the beginning of July 2021, the Center for Scientific and Cultural Activities of the Temple of Literature informed the local authorities and representatives of residents around the Van Lake area about the implementation of the project to restore Phuong Dinh building and embellish Kim Chau mound of Van lake, a special national monument, the Temple of Literature. At the same time, the Center has consulted with local authorities, representatives of the people and agreed on the relocation of artifacts, worshiping objects and statues to suitable locations, complying with regulations and being thoughtful about spiritual aspects to prepare the ground to implement the project of restoring Phuong Dinh building and embellishing Kim Chau mound.
On October 14, 2021, the Center for Scientific and Cultural Activities of the Temple of Literature organized the inspection of worshiping objects, statues and artifacts on Kim Chau mound before moving to ensure the construction site.
Attending the counting session included representatives of the Center for Scientific and Cultural Activities of the Temple of Literature; People’s Committee of Quoc Tu Giam Ward; Fatherland Front Committee of Quoc Tu Giam Ward; Head of the People’s Inspection Committee of Quoc Tu Giam ward; Head of the residential group No. 1, Quoc Tu Giam ward; Technical Center for Monuments Conservation Technology (as a constructor); ACA Construction and Investment Consultant Company Limited (as Project Management Consultant – Supervision Consultant); and Ms. Nguyen Minh Ngoc who is related was sent an invitation but was not present.
In addition, the meeting was witnessed by representatives of the City’s Religious Affairs Committee, the Heritage Management Department (Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports), the Culture and Information Department of Dong Da District, and the Public Security of Quoc Tu Giam Ward.
Under the guidance of the City’s Religious Affairs Committee, the Center for Scientific and Cultural Activities of the Temple of Literature issued a document on the receipt of worshiping objects, statues and artifacts on Kim Chau mound of Van Lake, the Temple of Literature, to Venerable Thich Duc Hanh, Deputy Head of the Buddhist Administration of Dong Da District – Abbot of Ngau Pagoda (Tam Hiep Commune, Thanh Tri District, Hanoi City). The dispatch has been approved by Venerable Thich Duc Hanh and agreed to perform the rituals to remove the worshiping objects, statues and artifacts on Kim Chau mound and receive the worshiping objects, statues and artifacts on Kim Chau mound in respect of Ngau Pagoda.
Immediately after confirming his agreement, Venerable Thich Duc Hanh performed spiritual rituals and coordinated with the Center for Scientific and Cultural Activities of the Temple of Literature to complete the relocation of worshiping objects, statues and artifacts on Kim Chau mound in respect of Ngau Pagoda is absolutely safe.
VM