The Opening Ceremony marks the beginning of the Autumn Festival at Keo Pagoda Monastery in 2025

Attending and witnessing the ceremony were: Most Venerable Thích Thanh Dục – Vice Patriarch of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS); Venerable Thích Thanh Hòa – Standing Deputy Head of the Executive Committee of the VBS in Hưng Yên Province.
Representing the provincial authorities of Hưng Yên were Comrade Trần Quốc Toản – Standing Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee; Comrade Nguyễn Khắc Thận – Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee; Comrade Đỗ Hữu Nhân – Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Hưng Yên Province, Head of the Festival Organizing Committee.
In addition, the Organizing Committee joyfully welcomed the presence of representatives from the Party Committee, People’s Council, People’s Committee, Fatherland Front, and mass organizations of Vũ Tiên Commune, along with a large number of monks, nuns, lay Buddhists, and visitors from all directions.

The “Khai Chỉ” Ritual – A Symbol of Spiritual Awakening

From the early morning, thousands of monks, nuns, lay Buddhists, local people, and pilgrims from all over the country gathered at Keo Pagoda in the echo of resonant Dharma drum and bell sounds. Amid the fragrant incense smoke, the Khai Chỉ (Opening of the Seal) ritual was solemnly conducted according to ancient tradition — the act of opening the sacred seal and the holy shrine’s door symbolizing the opening of the spiritual realm, welcoming the light of wisdom and compassion to illuminate all beings.

Preserving Cultural Values – Radiating the Light of Compassion

According to the program, the 2025 Keo Pagoda Autumn Festival takes place from October 30 to November 4, 2025 (the 10th to 15th day of the 9th lunar month), consisting of two parts:

• The Ceremonial Part: Procession of the Holy Patriarch, traditional offerings, and chanting sutras for national peace and people’s well-being.

• The Festive Part: Folk cultural, artistic, and sporting activities such as boat racing, duck-catching, Chinese chess, and folk singing performances.

This year, Keo Pagoda Monastery also hosts a special exhibition titled “Keo Pagoda: Then and Now”, showcasing archival photos and artifacts. Among them are century-old photographs depicting past Keo Pagoda Festivals, the temple’s sacred landscape, and ancient maps of Keo Village and its surroundings. Particularly remarkable are the diverse photographs of the pagoda’s iconic bell tower — captured from numerous artistic angles by both Vietnamese and international photographers across more than a hundred years.

In addition, Keo Pagoda Monastery organizes a Woodblock Printing Workshop, where visitors and Buddhists can experience traditional hand-printing techniques, gaining deeper insight into an ancient heritage — how people of old once printed Buddhist scriptures and artistic motifs by hand.

These activities not only create a joyful atmosphere but also contribute to preserving the nation’s intangible cultural heritage, spreading the message of “living beautifully in both worldly and spiritual life,” in harmony between Buddhism and the nation.

Keo Pagoda Monastery – A Buddhist Heritage in the Red River Delta

Keo Pagoda Monastery, formally named Thần Quang Tự, was first established in the 11th century and reconstructed in 1632. It is now recognized as a Special National Relic Site. With more than 120 lim-wood structures exquisitely carved, the pagoda is a masterpiece of ancient northern Vietnamese architecture, dedicated to Zen Master Dương Không Lộ, the Patriarch who founded the Vietnamese branch of the Vinitaruci Zen lineage.

Every year, Keo Pagoda holds two major festivals: Spring and Autumn. The Spring Festival is a time for people to pray for national peace, favorable weather, and abundant harvests, while the Autumn Festival commemorates the passing of Patriarch Dương Không Lộ — expressing the deep gratitude of the people toward the enlightened master who spread the Dharma for the benefit of all beings.

Concluding with the Vow of Compassion

The Khai Chỉ ceremony this year was held in a spirit of reverence, safety, and simplicity, with close coordination between local authorities, the provincial Buddhist Sangha, and the community.
Amid the sound of bells echoing through the autumn sky, participants could feel a serene and sacred atmosphere — a gentle reminder that:

The scent of lotus fills the autumn air,
The jewel of wisdom still shines through time,
Ancient beauty forever preserved,
Thần Quang Pagoda glows with sacred light.

From today’s Khai Chỉ ceremony, the light of Thần Quang shines once more like the lamp of wisdom illuminating the world, guiding every Buddhist to return to their spiritual roots — in reverence to Patriarch Dương Không Lộ, the great sage of both Dharma and life.