Bac Ninh, a land with a long history and rich cultural traditions. The homeland has many historical and cultural relics, the most prominent of which is But Thap Pagoda – an ancient pagoda that preserves 3 national treasures.
But Thap Pagoda, also known as Ninh Phuc Pagoda, is one of the most beautiful ancient temples in the Northern Delta. Built in the 14th century with an area of about 10,000m², But Thap Pagoda has a unique architecture, a layout that is in harmony with the natural environment and is very lively.
In addition to its historical and architectural values, the pagoda currently preserves three National Treasures: the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara Statue with one thousand eyes and one thousand arms, recognized by the Prime Minister in 2012; The Three Buddhas, and the Nine-story Lotus Tower recognized in January 2021.
Masterpiece of the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara Statue with one thousand eyes and one thousand arms
The most important and special of the treasures preserved at But Thap Pagoda is the Thousand-Handed, Thousand-Eyed Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara Statue, which according to researchers is a masterpiece in the art of sculpture in our country. The statue is made of wood, covered with paint. The height of the statue (from the lotus pedestal to the top of the statue’s head) is 235 cm. The statue was completed by the talented sculptor Truong Tho Nam in 1656.
The statue has 42 large arms, two hands clasped in front of the chest in the style of a lotus palm, two hands placed on the thighs with fingers crossed symbolizing the posture of practicing and meditating, more than 900 small hands, different lengths.
Each hand has an eye, the rhythm of each arm is also different, thousands of hands and eyes look like halos radiating. The arms are all bare, wearing pearl necklaces raised like blooming lotus flowers. On top of the halo is a bird representing natural harmony.
The pedestal is shaped like a dragon carrying a lotus platform. The platform consists of three layers of large and small lotus petals. The pedestal is created in the sumeru style, arranged in many levels with a rectangular shape with cut corners.
The Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara Statue with one thousand eyes and one thousand arms placed in the Upper Hall is considered a masterpiece of sculpture.
Unique The Three Buddhas
Next to the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara Statue is a system of The Three Buddhas. Buddhist researchers agree that the decorative patterns of the statues carry the meaning of natural forces, reflecting the custom of praying for rain and crops, which is a constant aspiration of the Vietnamese people in the Northern Delta. The simple and liberal elements of the indigenous mind have Vietnamized religious patterns, creating cultural integration in Vietnamese temples.
In addition, researchers have decoded the secret of the patterns on The Three Buddhas pedestal at But Thap Pagoda to prove that the language of form plays an important role in the visual arts of the Vietnamese people. At the same time, it is affirmed that the art of the Le – Trinh period (XV – XVIII century) is the pinnacle of Vietnamese folk art.
Through the presentation and decoration of this statue set, we can see the perfect combination of sculpture and symbolism, bringing viewers and ritualists a closer feeling to Buddhism, while also giving them an insight into the beauty of Buddhist art during this period.
The most beautiful Nine-Story Lotus Tower in Vietnam
The Nine-Story Lotus Tower at But Thap Pagoda is one of the three most beautiful towers in Vietnam today. Carrying dozens of diverse carvings, considered to have reached a perfect level of high artistic value, this is worthy of being a typical treasure of a land rich in cultural traditions.
The tower has an octagonal shape, 7.8m high, arranged in 9 floors in the style of a lotus throne, placed in the center of the Tich Thien Am building, representing the 9 lives of Sakyamuni Buddha. The nine floors are carved with hundreds of Buddha statues, flowers, leaves, birds and animals, focusing on the theme of encouraging good and eliminating evil, introducing the “luggage” of Zen ancestors, great masters, and levels of sublimation on the way to Nirvana.
The Nine-Story Lotus Tower is an 8-sided, 9-floor wooden tower, supported by rows of balusters. The eight sides of the 9 floors are decorated with reliefs associated with Buddhism.
The floors of the tower in the eyes of Buddhism represent the space of the universe arranged in steps. That is the world of the deities, Buddhas, Bodhisattvas. Those levels are considered as the ladders of consciousness, enlightenment. The Nine-Story Lotus Tower reflects the characteristics of Vietnamese Buddhism in the 17th century.
But Thap Pagoda still preserves nearly 100 wooden statues carved in many standing, sitting, kneeling postures with vivid facial expressions, expressing deep inner thoughts with noble Buddhist meanings.
With its unique values, But Thap Pagoda was ranked as a National Monument by the Ministry of Culture and Information in 1962, and in 2013 was ranked as a special National Monument by the Prime Minister.
Source: collected by An
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