Attending the opening ceremony were Assoc. Prof. Dr. Lai Quoc Khanh - Vice Rector of the University, Director of the Center for Contemporary Religious Studies, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vu Van Quan - Head of the History Department, along with representatives from the leadership of departments, faculties, and divisions, and a large number of students, trainees, and researchers from the university.
Representing the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha were Venerable Thich Tho Lac - Vice Chairman of the Executive Council, Head of the Culture Department - Central Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, and lay Buddhist Gioi Minh - Editorial Secretary of the Journal of Buddhist Studies.
Also in attendance were numerous researchers and administrators from the Vietnam National History Museum, the Department of Heritage, the Government's Religious Affairs Committee, the Thang Long - Hanoi Heritage Conservation Center, the Institute of Religion, the Institute of Archaeology, and others.
Buddhism originated in India in the 6th century BC, quickly spread throughout Asia, and became one of the world's major religions.
Around the beginning of the Common Era, Buddhism was introduced to Northern Vietnam, and soon after appeared in the Southern and Central regions. Over two thousand years of development, Buddhism has had a profound influence on the cultural and spiritual life of Vietnam, resulting in a rich and diverse Buddhist heritage.
To honor, preserve, and bring these unique and precious cultural heritages of the nation closer to young people, students, trainees, and researchers, the Museum of Anthropology, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, and 3D Art Consulting and Technology Solutions Joint Stock Company have successfully collaborated to create an exhibition space for Vietnamese Buddhist heritage right on the university campus.
The exhibition materials are structured into five main sections: an overview of the origins and development of Buddhism and Vietnamese Buddhism; Buddhist heritage in Northern Vietnam; Champa Buddhist heritage; Oc Eo - Funan Buddhist heritage; and Buddhist heritage within the national cultural flow.
The exhibits include a replica of the Ly Dynasty glazed pagoda, along with 17 statues reconstructed using 3D printing technology on composite material, then painted and gilded, in original or miniature sizes; 5 illustrative print reproductions; 1 calligraphic painting; 37 images of temples and Buddhist heritage; and 3 diagrams of temples and pagodas…
In particular, the exhibition space utilizes modern technologies such as mapping and holograms to visualize Buddhist pagoda architecture, 3D scanned images of typical Buddha statues and pagodas in Vietnam's Buddhist heritage.
Additionally, the exhibition space includes an experience corner where students can try their hand at printing patterns, symbols, and Chinese characters related to Vietnamese Buddhism.
Associate Professor Lai Quoc Khanh emphasized that the idea of creating an exhibition space for Vietnamese Buddhist heritage right on the campus of a university is a unique and scientifically valuable idea.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Vice Rector Lai Quoc Khanh emphasized: “The idea of creating a space to display Vietnamese Buddhist heritage right on the campus of a university is a unique and scientifically valuable idea. The exquisite artifacts displayed in this space not only support the university's undergraduate and postgraduate training activities, but also allow students to admire the precious heritage of the nation. This activity once again affirms the highly effective cooperation model between the university, research institutions, and businesses, applying high technology in the preservation and promotion of traditional cultural values.”
Venerable Thich Tho Lac shared: “This is truly a very meaningful activity, contributing to honoring and spreading the value of precious heritage in the traditional cultural treasure of the Vietnamese nation. With a modern, technology-driven exhibition space designed right at the university, it will help bring cultural heritage closer to the public, especially young people, students; arousing pride, appreciation, and awareness of preserving and promoting cultural values in contemporary life.”
The exhibition "Vietnamese Buddhist Heritage" not only attracts the attention of experts and researchers in the fields of history, religion, and heritage, but also a large number of young people who come to visit and learn. The exhibition will take place over 10 days, from June 20th to June 30th, 2023.
Some images from the Exhibition Space of Vietnamese Buddhist Heritage at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, 336 Nguyen Trai Street, Thanh Xuan District, Hanoi:
