Exhibited photos show typical Vietnamese Buddhist architecture. (Photo: VNA/VNS) Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - Nearly 300 archives and photos featuring the mostoutstanding features of Vietnamese Buddhist architecture are being exhibited atthe Vietnam National Museum of History (VNMH), No. 25 Tong Dan street, HoanKiem district, Hanoi.
The exhibits are from three surveys conducted across the nation by the CentralCulture Department of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in collaboration with theInstitute of Religious Studies, the Institute of Monuments Conservation, theVNMH, as well as many monks, nuns, and specialists.
They also include documents preserved by the Vietnam National Museum of Historyand the Institute of Monuments Conservation.
The exhibition, entitled Kien Truc Phat Giao Viet Nam – Thong Nhat Trong DaDang (Vietnamese Buddhist Architecture – Unity in Diversity), is divided intothree sections; Buddhist architectural images and artefacts currently kept atthe VNMH; typical features of Vietnamese Buddhist architecture; and images ofVietnamese Buddhist architecture built in recent years.
Since Buddhism was introduced to Vietnam more than 2,000 years ago, manyBuddhist facilities such as pagodas, towers or monasteries have beenconstructed across Vietnam.
Over time, Buddhist architecture has become diverse in different regions andmanners of worship. Still, they have always contained and inherited thebeauties of traditional national architecture, creating an overall religiouspicture of unity in diversity.
According to Most Venerable Thich Thien Nhon, Chairman of the Executive Councilof the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, many traditional Buddhist buildings have beenweathered by time, ravaged by wars and affected by urbanisation, meaning manyhave been severely degraded or lost.
On the other hand, the new constructions have met the needs of spiritualpractice and activities. Still, some of them might not have properly inheritedthe traditional values and characteristics, as well as Buddhist thoughts andspirits.
Therefore, the Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha approved theproject Characteristic Orientation of Vietnamese Buddhist Culture on Costume,Language, Architecture and Heritage in 2015. The exhibition Vietnamese BuddhistArchitecture – Unity in Diversity and a scientific conference of the same themeare part of the project.
According to Nguyen Van Doan, director of the VNMH, the exhibition contributesto providing materials for the scientific conference and supporting theimplementation of the project in the upcoming years.
At the same time, it helps Buddhists and communities nationwide to realise thecharacteristics of Vietnamese Buddhist architecture and the need to adapt it tocontemporary society.
Therefore, he added that it is expected to raise awareness about preserving andpromoting Vietnamese fine cultural traditions.
The exhibition runs until May 15./.
The exhibits are from three surveys conducted across the nation by the CentralCulture Department of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in collaboration with theInstitute of Religious Studies, the Institute of Monuments Conservation, theVNMH, as well as many monks, nuns, and specialists.
They also include documents preserved by the Vietnam National Museum of Historyand the Institute of Monuments Conservation.
The exhibition, entitled Kien Truc Phat Giao Viet Nam – Thong Nhat Trong DaDang (Vietnamese Buddhist Architecture – Unity in Diversity), is divided intothree sections; Buddhist architectural images and artefacts currently kept atthe VNMH; typical features of Vietnamese Buddhist architecture; and images ofVietnamese Buddhist architecture built in recent years.
Since Buddhism was introduced to Vietnam more than 2,000 years ago, manyBuddhist facilities such as pagodas, towers or monasteries have beenconstructed across Vietnam.
Over time, Buddhist architecture has become diverse in different regions andmanners of worship. Still, they have always contained and inherited thebeauties of traditional national architecture, creating an overall religiouspicture of unity in diversity.
According to Most Venerable Thich Thien Nhon, Chairman of the Executive Councilof the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, many traditional Buddhist buildings have beenweathered by time, ravaged by wars and affected by urbanisation, meaning manyhave been severely degraded or lost.
On the other hand, the new constructions have met the needs of spiritualpractice and activities. Still, some of them might not have properly inheritedthe traditional values and characteristics, as well as Buddhist thoughts andspirits.
Therefore, the Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha approved theproject Characteristic Orientation of Vietnamese Buddhist Culture on Costume,Language, Architecture and Heritage in 2015. The exhibition Vietnamese BuddhistArchitecture – Unity in Diversity and a scientific conference of the same themeare part of the project.
According to Nguyen Van Doan, director of the VNMH, the exhibition contributesto providing materials for the scientific conference and supporting theimplementation of the project in the upcoming years.
At the same time, it helps Buddhists and communities nationwide to realise thecharacteristics of Vietnamese Buddhist architecture and the need to adapt it tocontemporary society.
Therefore, he added that it is expected to raise awareness about preserving andpromoting Vietnamese fine cultural traditions.
The exhibition runs until May 15./.
VNA
