Buddha in Nirvana of 52 meters long will be a part of Buddhism Culture Center inauguration in two days March 29-30. The longest statue in Vietnam recorded by Guiness will be meaningful for the province beyond its beauty and devoted construction. The center will be used to organize events and seminars on Buddhism. Binh Duong Newspaper reporter has interviewed Monk Thich Hue Thong who is now head of Hoi Khanh Pagoda and of province’s Buddhism Association.
General view from the front gate.
- Can you describe the general construction of Buddha in Nirvana?
The construction site covers 3,200 square meters in an area of 13,200 square meters of Hoi Khanh Pagoda. It includes the statue of 52 meters long and 24 meters high and 4 multi-purpose halls.
The A hall of 600 square meters can be a place for studing and conference of over 500 participants. The B hall of 400 square meters is guest receiving place for over 200 people while the C hall of 400 square meters is a library of various books on Buddhism. The last hall is the head office of the association. About 3,000 square meters of floor are marble while 5,000 square meters of the open-air court is paved with cement concrete.
To reach the statue, we have to pass through 49 steps of stair to represent 49 years of Buddha practice. Around the statue is mediation place with 52 light posts representing 52 worshipping items during Nirvana service of the Buddha. Down to the legs of the statue are 20 graving pictures of Buddha from birth to Nirvana life. 840 petals of lotus made from cement are also included on the roof of 4 dragon being virtualized with lotus petals.
- Is the construction daring when putting the 50-meter-long stutue on the position of 24 meters high?
We can tell. The construction site is in lower and mud land. It is quite a challege to prepare foundation to support weight of Buddha statue. Engineer Tran Van Phap, who is in charge of design, has cooperated with me to calculate the construction and details. The accomplishment is also our happiness of those who have contributed the hearts and work to Buddha in Nirvana. In our calculation, 220 tons of cement were used along with 300 tons of steel and 15,000 cubic meters of soil. The complete construction (including additional construction) is accounted for nearly VND 20 billion
- What do you mean by additional construction?
Those are construction not in the initial plan including 13 rooms for gathering, lotus pond, tea hall, 5-m high stone Bodhisattva with antique roofs, and planting of 6 other trees. The additional construction has cost nearly VND 8 billion. From outside view, two marble stands represent one parallel sentence made by State’s President Nguyen Minh Triet. At the back are carving text telling the history of the construction. On the right side and front side are names of predecessors and contributors.
- The place is made into a center of Cultural Buddism, what is your presents of this meaningful establishment.
Binh Duong is known to be a province of rather complete socio-economic development and in other aspects including Buddhism. However, followers have to travel to Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Nai, Tay Ninh, Long An, and Ba Ria – Vung Tau to attend futher study of their belief.
The first studying class was opened in 1995-2000 school year in Hoi Khanh Pagoda but a center is better to ensure the study as well as event organization. The year 2011 is expected to be years of thousands of Buddhism followers attending the sectional meeting sponsored by Binh Duong Buddhism Association.
- How will the inauguration be organized?
The ceremony will last for two days of March 29 and 30 with services and art performances from 9:00 to 22:00 of March 29. The main inauguration will start at 7:30 March 30.
- Thank you with best wish for achievements of Binh Duong Buddhism Culture Center!
Interviewed by Ngoc Trinh – Translated by Vi Bao
