HaNam (VNA) –The Vietnam Buddhist Sangha held a ceremony at Tam Chuc Pagodain Kim Bang district, the northern province of Ha Nam, on July 22 to plant aBodhi tree presented by Speaker of the Sri Lankan Parliament Karu Jayasuriya.
TheBodhi tree is a branch of Sri Lanka’s 2,250 year-old Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, theoldest tree in the world.
TheJaya Sri Maha Bodhi is said to be the right-wing branch (southern branch) from thehistorical Sri Maha Bodhi at Buddha Gaya in India under which Lord Buddha attained enlightenment.
Tam Chuc pagoda sits on asite of nearly 5,000ha, surrounding by lakes, mountains, forests and valleys.
Excavatedobjects reveal that the pagoda is around 1,000 years old.
Thepagoda, which has been entirely damaged with time, is being rebuilt with thefirst phase expected to be completed in May 2019 when the pagoda hosts the UNDay of Vesak (Buddha's Birthday,Enlightenment and Passing Away).
TheTam Chuc complex was recognised by the Prime Minister as a national tourismsite in 2013.-VNA.