PRESENTATION

Thien: Hello everyone, we are students from Xuan Dieu Secondary School,
located in My Tho city, TG province. We record this video to participate in the
competition. This is Tran Ngoc Minh Phuong, our idea generator, this is
Nguyen Nguyen Bao, the editor, and I’m Nguyen Pham Thuan Thien the leader
of the trio. So today, we are going to talk about Vinh Trang Pagoda, a
prominent relegious architectural design, and that is what Tien Giang is
synonymous with. So first, I will give you a general view about the pagoda, and
my teamates will take it more specifically so that you can get a deep insight into
the pagoda. The location of the pagoda is in the village of My Hoa, the town of
My Phong, in My Tho city. The construction is 2 hectares block.It was
constructed in the middle of the ninteenth century, under Nguyen Dynasty, Tu
Duc Emperor. After the several-hundred-year period, and after many times it
was impaired and then renovated, Vinh Trang Pagoda becomes its current
appearance. It is now presided over by Thich Tri Long, and the pagoda is a
harmonious combination of the European and Asian architectures. It is the third
best-known architectural, artistic relics, and is regarded as national artistic
architecture by the Ministry of Culture and Information on 30/8/1984

Bao: In regard of architecture,the main triple gate was built in 1933 through the
labour of craftsmen recruited from the imperial capital in Huế, central Vietnam.
The front face of the pagoda is ornamented solemnly. It also conserves a lot of
carefully-sculptured Buddhas, for instance the Amitabha Buddha, Gautama
Buddha, and many other arahants and bodhisattvas. The three most historic ones
are those of Amitabha, Avalokiteshvara and Đại Thế Chí bodhisattva, which are
made of bronze. Unfortunately the Avalokiteshvara has been lost for a long time
so the wooden one was made as a substitution. The connection between two
compartments is a small Penjing, which represents the lively surrounding nature
and implies the harmonious lifestyle between nature and people of our
ancestors. As mentioned, the pagoda is the consolidation of the Western and
Eastern architecture, however, it still remains some Vietnamese conventional
styles in sculpturing and building.Viewing from the Penjing, you can enjoy the
Romanian style through colorful granites. Stepping into every compartment,
you can relish the golden coat plantinized on the carvings and Buddhas. What is
more, the round pillars made from valuable wood are designed in a unique style,
beautifing and adorning the atmosphere.
Phuong: In terms of its history and foundation, the pagoda was originally built
in 1849, initially, it was just a small place, erected by district chief Bùi Công
Đạt in a deserted location. Later, in the same year, Bùi Công Đạt invited Thich
Hue Dang from Lam Giac pagoda to outset construction and then preside over
it. In 1864, Thich Hue Dang passed away, since he had no disciples, the for
monks invited Mr. Minh Đề to take over Thich Hue Dang’s obligation. On
1878, Minh Đề invite monk Quản Ân for temporary substitution, and then sư
Minh Truyện was invited to be responsible. Then it was Tổ Từ Trung and Trà
Chánh Hậu. When Trà Chánh Hậu was in election, he renovated the Pagoda and
the 1st floor of the front compartment went into construction. Trà Chánh Hậu’s
disciples, which was Lê Ngọc Xuyên take responsibility and organized further
renovations, including the main triple gate, main ceremonial hall and the
patriarch hall. Lê Ngọc Xuyên’s principle, Thích Trí Long was obleged to take
the role, however, owing to his lack of maturity, Tâm Giác substituted. Then, on
25/3/1954, Tâm Giác passed away, and then Thích Trí Long finally take the
role, and is still the abbot of the pagoda so far

Thien: Wow, there are a gigantic number of things I want to tell you, but the
time is limited, anyway, I hope you enjoy our presentation, thanks for your
time.