Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism requests protection of National Treasure Stone Buddhist Altar

(CLO) In response to the news that the national relic Pho Quang Pagoda (Xuan Lung commune, Lam Thao district, Phu Tho province) was on fire, the Department of Cultural Heritage (under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism) requested local authorities to immediately take measures to protect the national treasure, the Stone Buddha Altar.

On the evening of October 23, the Department of Cultural Heritage said that the unit had sent Official Dispatch No. 1171/DSVH-DT to the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Phu Tho province, requesting that the competent authorities coordinate with local authorities to urgently conduct a site inspection at the relic site and take immediate measures to protect the national treasure, the Stone Buddha Altar.

At the same time, the Department of Cultural Heritage also requested an assessment of the extent of damage and proposed treatment plan, reporting to the People's Committee of Phu Tho province and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism before 10:00 a.m. on October 24, 2024.

The national relic Pho Quang Pagoda caught fire on October 23. Photo: TL

Previously, some press reports reported that the incident occurred at the national relic Pho Quang Pagoda (Xuan Lung commune) at around 10:00 a.m. on October 23.

Report No. 85/BC-UBND of Xuan Lung Commune People's Committee stated that at 9:45 a.m. on October 23, Xuan Lung Commune People's Committee received a report of a fire at Pho Quang Pagoda.

The Commune People's Committee has notified and mobilized forces including leaders, commune officials, Party cell secretaries, heads of residential areas, heads of the Front's working committee, commune police and military forces, village security forces and people to be present for rescue.

When the commune officials and residents arrived at the scene, the fire was already burning high. The commune People's Committee mobilized forces to use on-site equipment (fire extinguishers, water hoses, buckets, basins, etc.) while waiting for the authorities to put out the fire. By 11:30, the fire was completely extinguished.

The Department of Cultural Heritage requested the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Phu Tho province to coordinate with relevant agencies to immediately take measures to protect the national treasure, the stone Buddhist altar. Photo: TL

Reporting on the damage from the fire, the People's Committee of Xuan Lung Commune said: "The Tam Bao Temple was completely damaged; the national treasure Lotus Stone Pedestal (stone Buddha altar) had its lotus petals broken; 27 Buddha statues and all facilities in the temple were completely damaged. The estimated cost of damage is 25 billion VND."

Pho Quang Pagoda is a national historical and cultural relic, ranked in Decision No. 92/VHTT-QD in 1980 of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (now the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism).

The temple is over 800 years old and still preserves many valuable relics and antiques, especially the national treasure, the stone Buddhist altar.

PV

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/yeu-cau-bao-ve-bao-vat-quoc-gia-ban-tho-phat-bang-da-o-chua-pho-quang-post318165.html