Amidst the sacred ambiance of the worship place, amid the jubilation and pride of the people, and under the spiritual guidance of venerable monks, distinguished guests, local representatives, and devoted followers from all walks of life, the inauguration ceremony of the Ancestral and Mother’s Houses at Bao Son Pagoda in Lai Thuong Commune, Thach That District, took place on December 10, 2023. The funds for the restoration and embellishment were entirely mobilized from social contributions.
Bao Son Pagoda, constructed during the Ly Dynasty (12th century), has witnessed nearly ten centuries of diligent care and maintenance by generations of monks and devoted practitioners. Notably, major renovations took place in 1932 and 2011, preserving ancient Buddha statues and inscriptions on bells dating back to the Ly Dynasty.
Community contributions to labor
In the early 1960s, the Tam Bao structure of Bao Son Pagoda served as a grassroots educational facility, later transforming into a makeshift classroom during disruptions in the regular education system. By the late 1960s and early 1970s, the temple courtyard was repurposed as a drying ground for the Agricultural Cooperative, while Tam Bao became a paddy storage facility.
The original pagoda structure had a simple four-compartment house for both Ancestral and Mother worship, built with stone walls and a thatched roof. In 2002, an additional Ancestral House was constructed, forming separate spaces for Ancestral and Mother worship, but the overall area remained constrained.
Bao Son Pagoda was designated as a provincial-level Cultural and Historical Relic in 2002.
Over time, the Ancestral and Mother’s Houses, along with the supporting structures, had severely deteriorated. To ensure the safety of monks, followers, and worshippers, the leadership of Lai Thuong sought permission from the People’s Committee of Lai Thuong Commune and relevant authorities to plan and renovate the Ancestral and Mother’s Houses along with the supporting facilities.
The items and pagoda premises are finished.
With the aim of the temple’s architecture reflecting the essence of Vietnamese culture – both ancient and modern -with an emphasis on practicality for learning, spiritual activities, and cultural events, the temple’s design and planning were undertaken by local architects, volunteering their expertise. The project was based on an agreed-upon concept between the leaders of Lai Thuong and Venerable Thich Dao Trung.
Newly constructed items include: the Ancestral House with five wooden chambers covering an area of 106m²; the Mother’s House with five wooden chambers covering an area of 88m²; the Monk’s residence spanning 47m²; a dining area, kitchen, and restroom totaling 150m²; a guesthouse and storage facility covering 150m²; and a bridge 35m long and 3.5m wide, connecting the Ancestral House, Mother’s House, and Tam Bao with 16 wooden trusses.
Ceremonial performances to celebrate the Inauguration
Delegates along with a vast number of citizens and Buddhists attended the inauguration ceremony.
Ribbon cutting ceremony for the Ancestral House and Mother’s House of Bao Son Pagoda
To raise funds for restoration and embellishment, numerous benefactors, local and distant Buddhist followers, and the general public contributed over VND 551 million in cash, along with 1,200 days of labor and various materials such as worship items, Buddha statues, tiles, fresh concrete, sand, cement, and transportation equipment. The total investment in the project exceeded VND 7 billion, entirely sourced from social contributions.
The construction of the Ancestral and Mother’s Houses and the supporting facilities of Bao Son Pagoda has been essentially completed. This achievement is attributed to the grace of Tam Bao, the support of leadership at all levels, and the heartfelt contributions of benefactors, Buddhist followers, and the community. Particularly noteworthy is the dedication of Venerable Thich Dao Trung, who, though not officially the abbot, wholeheartedly assisted the temple and the community.
Bao Son Pagoda is now planned with Tam Bao, Ancestral House, Mother’s House, and supporting facilities – all set within a spacious, clean, and beautiful compound. This ensures a sense of reverence and aesthetics, meeting the spiritual aspirations and religious needs of the residents.