PHÁP HOA PAGODA

(N/T ) WELCOME TO DAK NONG - A RED LAND FULL OF SUN AND

WIND

(N/T) Hello everyone,

Nguyen: My name is Nguyen, I come from class 11a5 and this is my friend.

Trang: Hello, I'm Trang I'm also from class 11a5 and we are students of

N/T: N' TRANG LONG ETHNIC BOARDING HIGH SCHOOL.

Nguyen: Vietnam has 3 recognized global geoparks including: Dong Van Ha

Giang Karst Plateau Global Geopark was recognized in 2010, by 2018 Non
Nuoc Cao Bang Global Geopark has also been recognized. And most recently in
2020 was the recognition of Dak Nong Global Geopark

Trang: Dak Nong Geopark has an area of 4,760 km², stretching over 5 districts:
Krong No, Cu Jut, Dak Mil, Dak Song, Dak Glong and Gia Nghia city in Dak
Nong province, Vietnam.

(N/T): We came here to learn more knowledge, hone skills and promote the
beauty of our province's global geopark.

(N/T) Dak Nong UNESCO Global Geopark

T: Dak Nong Geopark has long been famous as

a rich red land with a tropical forest ecosystem,
which preserves typical values of biodiversity,
many unique cultural features, geology, nature
as well as traces of prehistoric activities

N: Dak Nong is located on the M' Nong plateau in the Central Highlands region,
west of Central Vietnam. Favored by mother nature, this place has up to 44
locations in the global geopark and has been designated Recognized by
UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage, the above 44 points are divided into
different categories on the map and can include prominent locations such as: Ta
Dung, Dray-sap waterfall, LIeng Nung waterfall, Trinh waterfall Female,
weaving village of the M Nong people

T: So besides these places, are there any other places nearby? I really want to try
one of those places.
N: Absolutely yes. So let me take you to the place known as: A beautiful
spiritual destination in the middle of a foggy mountain town.

T: That sounds interesting. But where specifically?

N: That's the secret, follow me, I'll take you there and show you cool things
about it. Let's go

N: And that is:

N/T: PHAP HOA Pagoda

N: Phap Hoa pagoda is located in Nghia Thanh ward, Gia Nghia city. With an
area of about 160m2 (counting each main hall) and has 5 floors

T: notes when visiting the temple

+ Wear appropriate clothes that are not too short, do not wear skirts, etc.

+ Do not wear clothes that are too striking or hot colors

+Do not laugh or speak in the main hall

+ Only burn incense in permitted temple areas

N: With such an ancient and solemn design style, can you guess what year this
pagoda was born? (As he spoke, he pointed to a certain point of the pagoda)

T: I guess it was around the 60s

N: oh right. The pagoda was built around 1950, and construction was not
officially completed until 1957. Besides its establishment, Phap Hoa Pagoda has
had a rather long historical development process, from 1950 - 1969. Then the
pagoda changed its name from Buddha Recitation Pagoda to Phap Hoa Pagoda,
and since then it has developed under the management of Venerable Hoa
Nghiem.

T: However, not long after its construction, in 1959, on the occasion of Vu Lan
festival, the pagoda was heavily destroyed by the Ngo Dinh Diem government.
Buddhists who were oppressed until 1960 were rebuilt by Master Tri Huy,
although However, it was still simple until 1969 when Venerable Hoa Nghiem
presided over it until the monk returned to his hometown in 1975 and was taken
care of by the people and chanted sutras.

N: Phap Hoa Pagoda is a sacred place, peaceful and pure, and extremely
nostalgic. Another thing is that this place is also considered a place of rest and
reflection for the soul.
T: From the moment I stepped into this temple, I felt very ancient, and a bit
peaceful. And I think the view here in the afternoon is great when we can watch
the sunset.
T: The temple's gate has a bold Vietnamese design, a curved red roof and
detailed dragon carvings. It is a perfect combination between a stilt house in the
Central Highlands and a Hue garden house.

N: inside the temple, there are trees covering it to create shade and there are
many Buddha statues of many different sizes.

T: I see that the monks pay a lot of attention to the main hall

N: That's right, because the main hall is a very sacred place where Buddha gods
are worshiped and where evil monks, teachers and people worship.
T: oh wow…. Besides worshiping, are there any other activities here?

N: Following the success of the Summer Retreat, every year Phap Hoa Pagoda
organizes a "Summer Study Course". It is for teenagers, a program of moral
training and life skills. You will experience the games and it is also a way to
help you get acquainted with Buddhism. Create opportunities to access a useful
learning space…

T: That's why you should choose to travel during summer retreats to fully enjoy
the atmosphere at this temple.

N: Furthermore, there are many festivals taking place here such as on December
8 (according to the lunar calendar), there is a Lantern Ceremony
commemorating the day Shakyamuni Buddha attained enlightenment;
Appreciation & Retribution Season of Filial Piety; Parade The flower car to
celebrate Buddha's birthday is also a place of filial piety visited by a large
number of people during the Vu Lan season.
N: Beautiful corner not only in the temple, but even when standing in the
grounds of Phap Hoa Pagoda, you can also enjoy a panoramic view of the
poetic and charming mountain and forest landscape of the Central Highlands
mountainous region. Undulating mountain ranges, long straight roads, rows of
green trees and tea hills are the characteristics that nature bestows here.
T ; All can be seen when you stand above the temple grounds and look down.
Surely these are wonderful experiences that are hard to bring anywhere else to
you. Standing on Phap Hoa Pagoda, looking over the entire beautiful landscape
of the mountains and forests here, will make you love and be more attached to
this mountainous region.

N: The inside of the temple is covered with green because there are trees
covering it to create shade and each branch and blade of grass is meticulously
cared for, creating a cool, fresh, gentle and peaceful space.

T: If you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city, come and
experience Phap Hoa Pagoda, it is an ideal place for you to relax your soul.
Come and see if what we say is true! And I'm sure that with their friendliness
and hospitality, the people here will not disappoint you.

N/T: Wishing everyone happy and memorable moments when visiting Phap Hoa
Pagoda.

N: When traveling to Dak Nong, you should not miss the rich cuisine here, it is
really great:

+ Cloud bud soup

+ Lam rice with grilled meat
+ Stir-fried noodles with water hyacinth leaves
+Can wine
+ Banh cuon
+ Seerrepok lentil fish
and especially the delicious taste of coffee grown on Dak Nong land.

T: All are prepared by skillful hands and locally available ingredients.

N: Not only the food, when you visit here you can also immerse yourself in the
cultural space of Central Highlands Cong Chieng, admire handicraft products
from bamboo and brocade products, which are all Essential products in the daily
life of people here.

(N/T) The presentation about Phap Hoa Pagoda, one of our locations in Dak
Nong Geopark, has ended. Thank you for watching and listening

GOODBYE AND SEE YOU AGAIN