When people think of Hue, many envision a serene land “steeped” in Buddhism with hundreds of temples and pagodas. Amid the bustling rhythm of a modern Hue, life behind each pagoda gate is far from dull, but it is a refined embodiment of spiritual beauty that deeply enriches the inner world of many residents of the Ancient Capital. Here, every scene, every space, every presence expressed a quiet, profound stillness, like a sutra in motion.

The lotus is one of the beautiful symbols of serenity, peace, and tranquility. In Hue, the lotus blooming season usually begins in May and June, when the weather changes into hot and sultry days. This time also coincides with April of the Lunar year, the time marked with the significant event of the Grand Buddhism Celebration (Vesak).

On the morning of May 12 (the 15th of the lunar April month), the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS) of Hue City solemnly held the Grand Vesak Celebration 2569 at Tu Dam Pagoda (Truong An Ward, Thuan Hoa District), with the presence of a large number of monks, nuns, and Buddhist followers.

The 200 antique objects including pottery and ceramics which are not only connected with Buddhism but also valuable heritage are on display to the public at the Museum of Nguyen Dynasty Commissioned Porcelains.

“Coi mai vang Tinh Tam” (roughly translated as “Tranquillity from the Root of Yellow Apricot”) is the title of an exhibition by Le Van Loi, a Buddhism retired scholar, displayed at the Intercultural Meeting Point (Bach Dang Street, Hue City) from March 28th to April 3rd.

The center is divided into several spaces. The most notable among them is the space for storing Buddhist woodblocks. Arranged in a scientific and meticulous manner, this space currently holds over 800 blocks and 1,300 inscribed texts, featuring a diverse range of texts such as sutras, vinayas, treatises, commentaries, initiation verses, monastic regulations, and ancient graphic illustrations, which are extremely precious and rare.

The exhibition “Niem Hoa” in Hue City brings art lovers original experiences about art and Buddhism.

The images exhibited are emotive works that are expected to arouse the public’s recollections, especially the Buddhist followers, of the past lessons, so that they would strive to reinforce and further enhance Buddhism's teachings and values. The exhibition is open to the public until June 7th.

Through the articles, Prof. Dr. Thai Kim Lan’s critical thinking about philosophy, Buddhism, popular culture, and especially the Hue lifestyle are clearly shown. Also, readers can follow the author's emotional flow to be immersed in familiar yet strange spaces, meetwith historical witnesses, and feel the subtle characteristics of the various lands.