A Masterful Restoration

Crafted by artisan Nguyen Cong Dat and a team of skilled woodblock carvers from Thanh Lieu Village (Hai Duong Province), the restored edition faithfully replicates the original 19th-century engravings. The collection, measuring 36 cm by 29 cm, spans 88 pages with 41 intricate illustrations, each depicting pivotal moments in the Tathagata’s journey - from his birth to enlightenment. Accompanying texts narrate these sacred episodes, making the prints not only an artistic treasure but also a devotional and educational resource.

For centuries, such woodblock prints have served as references for temple reliefs and monastic art, preserving Buddhist iconography across generations. The restoration project, years in the making, ensures that this cultural heritage endures for future practitioners and scholars.


Visitors experiences woodblock printing

Beyond mere display, the exhibition invited visitors to experience traditional woodblock printing firsthand. Using do paper - a delicate handmade Vietnamese paper - participants, especially young attendees and researchers, tried their hand at pressing prints using centuries-old techniques.

The following are a series of images capturing the process of the woodblock printing.


1. The craftsman ensures that the woodblock is adequately inked. The ink is applied with a roller..


2. He then places a thin rice paper over the block and rubs it with a "baren", thus enabling the ink to stick onto the paper..


3. The end result of the woodblock print.

This interactive element bridged the past and present, allowing a new generation to connect with the craft’s spiritual and artistic significance.


A Gathering of Reverence and Scholarship

The event attracted venerable monastics, cultural researchers, folk art collectors, and devotees, all united in their appreciation for Vietnam’s Buddhist heritage. Ven. Thich Nhat Tu, a prominent scholar-monk, praised the exhibition as “a profound offering to the Dharma - one that honors both the Buddha’s life and the artisans who have preserved his story through art.”

Organizers emphasized that the project was more than a Vesak tribute - it was a celebration of Vietnam’s intangible cultural legacy. “Every carved line carries the devotion of generations,” said one curator. “These prints are not just art; they are Dhamma in visual form.”


Exhibition Details

The exhibition ran May 4–12 (15th–24th of the fourth lunar month) at Dieu Tuong Am Buddhist Art and Culture Space, opposite Vinh Nghiem Pagoda, and was free to the public. As Vesak 2025 concludes, the restored Nhu Lai ung hien do stands as a testament to the timeless interplay of faith, art, and cultural preservation.

May all beings appreciate the beauty of the Dhamma.