NGUYEN THIEU INTERMEDIATE BUDDHIST SCHOOL (GIA LAI) PAYS HOMAGE AND OFFERS INCENSE AT NGOA VAN SACRED SANCTUARY

On the morning of May 14, 2026, in the fresh air and warm sunshine of the early morning, Ngoa Van Sanctuary welcomed a delegation of over 300 Venerable Monks, Monastic Students, and Buddhists from the Nguyen Thieu Intermediate School of Buddhist Studies (Gia Lai) to visit, pay homage, and explore their historical roots.

Ngoa Van Sanctuary welcomes the delegation from the Intermediate School of Buddhist Studies

From the very beginning of the day, the weather at Ngoa Van Sanctuary was extremely ideal, with brilliant rays of golden sunshine welcoming the pilgrimage delegation from the distant mountain town of Gia Lai.

Here, the delegation received a warm and Dharma-imbued welcome from Most Venerable Thich Thanh Quyet – Vice President of the Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS), Head of the Monastic Education Department, Rector of the Hanoi Buddhist Academy, and Head of the Executive Board of the VBS in Quang Ninh Province, along with the Venerable Monks of the province. The Most Venerable and the local Venerable Monks intimately shared with the delegation the history of formation, as well as the immense spiritual and cultural values of the Ngoa Van monument complex.

Most Venerable Thich Thanh Quyet and the Venerable Monks of the province came to Ngoa Van to welcome and share history with the delegation

Concurrently, the delegation was also honored to be welcomed by Dr. Bui Huu Duoc - Former Director of the Buddhist Department, Government Committee for Religious Affairs, who offered open and profound sharings about the importance of the Truc Lam heritage to the nation's history.

Dr. Bui Huu Duoc - Former Director of the Buddhist Department, Government Committee for Religious Affairs sharing the importance of the Truc Lam heritage to the nation's history 

On the side of the pilgrimage delegation, leading the group was Venerable Thich Dong Thanh – Member of the Executive Council, Standing Vice Head of the Executive Board concurrently Head of the Buddhist Education Department of Gia Lai province, and Rector of the Nguyen Thieu Intermediate School of Buddhist Studies - Gia Lai Province. The meeting between the Venerable Monks and scholars created a highly meaningful academic and spiritual exchange space for the young monastic students before embarking on their mountain-climbing journey.

The Venerable Monks of the Sangha leadership and scholars intimately sharing the history of Ngoa Van Sanctuary with the delegation of the Nguyen Thieu Intermediate School of Buddhist Studies (Gia Lai).

The Nguyen Thieu Intermediate School of Buddhist Studies respectfully offers incense at Ngoa Van Hermitage - Pagoda 

Following the meaningful meeting, the delegation began their journey to conquer the sacred peak by experiencing a cable car ride through the clouds. Looking down from the cabin, the floating strips of clouds blending with the brilliant early morning sunlight created a fairyland-like scenery, bringing a sense of lightness and freedom to the practitioners before setting foot in the core heritage zone.

The delegation of the Nguyen Thieu Intermediate School of Buddhist Studies respectfully offering incense at Middle Ngoa Van Pagoda 

After leaving the cable car station, the delegation leisurely walked on a pilgrimage up to the monument complex. Here, the delegation solemnly held a ritual of offering incense and paying homage to the Buddha at Ngoa Van Hermitage - Pagoda – a place closely associated with the years of asceticism and Buddhahood attainment of King Tran Nhan Tong.

Beneath the swirling agarwood smoke, the entire Sangha chanted sutras in unison to pray for national peace and prosperity, expressing their profound reverence towards the Patriarchal land. The pure footsteps overcoming the slopes along with the joy of the incense offering and Buddha homage ceremony at Ngoa Van Hermitage - Pagoda gave the young practitioners an opportunity to return and illuminate their self-nature, continuing the true Dharma lamp of the Truc Lam Zen Sect. The pilgrimage concluded in solemnity, leaving a lingering taste of liberation and a steadfast Bodhi mind in the heart of every Buddhist follower in the Nguyen Thieu delegation.