The Bo Da Pagoda’s chief monk (sixth from the left) receives the world record certificate.

The meeting was co-organised by the Vietnam Record Association, Asia Book of Records, and World Records Union (Worldkings) to honour 12 new world records.

The Bo Da Pagoda was also presented with a dedication award among other 11 world record holders by the World Record Content Academy (WRCA).

The pagoda’s first Buddhist Sutra woodblock was carved by monks in the 18th century. About 2,000 woodblocks along with numerous sutras, essays, and diaries and so on, classified in 18 sets of Sutras and books, have remained to date with Buddhist Sutras printed in Chinese script and Nom (Vietnamese ideographic script) for the trainning of Buddhism all over the country.

Many woodblocks contain sophisticated illustrations; therefore each of them is seen as an art work and a well-design sculpture.

The recognition of the woodblock collection in the world records has heightened its unique values as well as the value of the Pagoda relic complex, helping lure more visitors to the relic and promote the local tourism industry.

Nguyen Dai Luong