In the first days of the new year, tens of thousands of people and tourists came to Phuc Lac Pagoda to offer incense, pray for peace, health and luck. The number of visitors increased sharply on the 1st and 2nd days of Tet, creating a joyful atmosphere from early morning.
Crowds stretched through the three-entrance gate into the main hall area. Many families took advantage of taking their children and grandchildren to the temple at the beginning of the year with the desire for a successful academic year and smooth work. The monks and nuns of the pagoda guided people to perform rituals in accordance with regulations, ensuring security and order.
The architectural highlight of the pagoda is the 42m high Shakyamuni Buddha statue - one of the largest Buddha statues in the North Central region. The project includes a statue body, a lotus pedestal and an octagonal stupa, cast in reinforced concrete, shaped in a meditation pose, with eyes facing East. The majestic Buddha statue in the open space becomes a spiritual symbol of the locality.
According to documents, Phuc Lac Pagoda has a history of nearly 400 years, and has degraded many times due to historical upheavals. Since 2010, the pagoda has been restored and renovated to be spacious, becoming a center of religious activities for people inside and outside the province.
Not only the elderly, many young people also choose Phuc Lac Pagoda as a spring destination. The miniatures recreating the "Old Tet" space with images of rural villages and traditional items attract a large number of young people to visit and take souvenir photos.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Hong (resident of Truong Vinh ward) shared: "Going to temples at the beginning of the year is a habit of my family. Coming to the pagoda, I feel relieved, as if I have more motivation for the new year.
Le Thu Anh, a student at a high school in Dong Loc commune, said: "Going to the pagoda at the beginning of the year is not only to pray for peace for the family but also an opportunity for us to understand more about traditional culture, about the pure lifestyle at the Buddhist gate. When I came here, I felt the lightness, completely different from the daily rhythm of life.
In addition, Phuc Lac Pagoda has many beautiful spaces, especially the old Tet miniature landscape area and the area around the Buddha statue, which is very suitable to capture the first moments of the year. For me and many young people, this place has become a familiar destination every Tet and spring.
Venerable Thich Quang Thien Phuoc - monk of Phuc Lac Pagoda - informed that on peak days, the pagoda arranges monks, nuns, and Buddhists to volunteer to guide people to burn incense, maintain environmental sanitation and implement a civilized lifestyle at the Buddha's gate.
According to the Venerable, going to spring festivals is not only to pray for blessings but also an opportunity for each person to remind themselves to live virtuously, to be more responsible to their family and society.
In addition to spiritual activities, the pagoda continues to maintain the program of awarding scholarships and supporting poor households in the area, contributing to spreading the spirit of mutual affection in the community.
It is expected that in the following days of the Tet holiday, the number of tourists to Phuc Lac Pagoda will still be maintained at a high level. The activity of going to temples at the beginning of the year continues to affirm the beauty of traditional culture, meeting the legitimate spiritual needs of the people.