On February 18 (the 2nd day of Tet), according to Lao Dong reporters' records, at Phuc Nghiem Pagoda (also known as To Pagoda, Song Lieu ward, Bac Ninh province), there were many pilgrims from all directions coming to enjoy spring and sightseeing.
The spring travel atmosphere at the ancient pagoda became more bustling when at the beginning of February, the Wooden Mother Buddha Statue of Man Nuong Pagoda, dating from the 18th century, was recognized as a National Treasure.
Mr. Nguyen Duc Hung - a tourist from Hanoi said: "I learned about the pagoda through information about the Buddha statue that has just been recognized as a National Treasure. On the occasion of the beginning of spring, I came to worship, clearly feeling the sacred and ancient atmosphere of the pagoda. Preserving the precious statue shows the historical and cultural value of this place, making tourists like us even more respectful and want to learn more".
For a long time, To Pagoda has been famous for its antiquity and historical - cultural value, associated with the legend of Buddha Mother Man Nuong. According to ancient books and folk legends, Buddha Mother Man Nuong was the person who "born" the Four Dharmas (Phap Van, Phap Vu, Phap Loi, Phap Dien) from the 2nd century AD; while the Dau region (Luy Lau) now belonging to Bac Ninh province is the center, the place where the belief in worshiping the Four Dharmas originated.
It is said that the pagoda was built on the old foundation of Mr. and Mrs. Tu Dinh's house, who were Man Nuong's father and mother. When Mr. and Mrs. Tu Dinh became Saints, the house became a pagoda. To Pagoda was originally built a long time ago and was restored by many dynasties.
The center of the Buddha hall is the place to worship Mother Goddess Man Nuong. The Mother Goddess Man Nuong statue is created in a meditation posture on a lotus pedestal, nearly 1.7m high, similar to the Four Dharma statues, with a compassionate and saintly face, and the whole body covered with a layer of plum-colored paint full of mysterious and sacred beauty.
Currently, the pagoda still preserves many valuable ancient artifacts such as: worship statues, stone steles, imperial decrees, horizontal lacquered boards, parallel sentences...
To Pagoda and the Tu Phap Pagoda system in Dau region are considered the quintessence of the association between Indian Buddhism when it was introduced into our country and the indigenous beliefs of ancient Vietnamese people worshiping natural forces (clouds, rain, thunder, lightning), to create a religious and belief center imbued with national identity.
From Dau center, Buddhism has spread throughout the regions of the country. Therefore, To Pagoda and the system of Tu Phap have become important traces of the formation and development of Vietnamese Buddhism.
With special historical, cultural, religious and belief values, To Pagoda has been recognized as a National Relic since 2001.
