Unique thousand-year-old statue of “human head carrying Buddha” in Nghe An

According to legend, the pagoda dates back to the 11th century, during the Ly Dynasty. Records from the Nghe An Provincial Relic Management Board show that before 1941, the pagoda faced the Lam River and faced north. It was not until 1941 that the pagoda was moved to face south. In 1995, the pagoda was renovated, with tiles replaced and damaged parts patched. In 2002, local people contributed to building a new house to welcome guests.

The ancient beauty of Ba But Pagoda. Photo: Ngoc Phuong

Regarding relics, through surveys, the pagoda currently preserves 22 ancient statues, 2 pairs of parallel sentences, 1 horizontal lacquered board, 2 votive doors, and 3 bells. Among the 22 ancient statues, the statue of a “human head carrying a Buddha” is a very rare statue in Vietnam. This statue symbolizes Lady But - the person who helped Uy Minh Vuong Ly Nhat Quang become a Saint.

Legend has it that once, when Ly Nhat Quang went to fight the Lao Qua invaders, he was unfortunately injured. When he rode his horse back to Bach Duong land, Thuong Tho village, a fairy in disguise as a tea seller appeared and told him: "Qua Son is a sacred place, blood and food can be transformed in that land forever". Listening to the tea seller, Ly Nhat Quang returned to Qua Son land and passed away. The army and people were extremely saddened and built a temple here, called Qua Son temple, where incense is burned all year round.

The unique statue of “a human head carrying a Buddha” is carved from jackfruit wood. Photo: Ngoc Phuong

The statue of a “human head carrying a Buddha” is related to the legend of Lady But. At that time, in Thuong Tho village, no one knew the whereabouts of the water seller by the river, they only saw a simple bamboo and leaf shop, near the roadside, owned by a slender, extremely beautiful girl. Many young men in the village dreamed of marrying her, but none of them caught her eye. One day, when there was no one around, a stubborn fisherman came to tease her. When she was rejected, he used his strength to force himself on her! Unexpectedly, the water seller immediately transformed into a ten-armed Lady Buddha, jumped up and sat on his head.

After showing the sacred land to Uy Minh Vuong Ly Nhat Quang and punishing the scoundrel, the tea seller also disappeared. Overnight, the fishing village only saw the empty land, the shop and the shop owner were gone. Later generations, based on this story, the local villagers carved a statue of the ten-armed Buddha riding on the head of a man, probably to set an example for adulterers. The statue of the Buddha was placed in a temple, called “Tien Tich Tu” built right on the old shop’s tent. The villagers still call it Ba But Pagoda to this day.

A man's head with two arms supporting a Buddha statue above. Photo: Ngoc Phuong

The statue of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara “with a human head carrying a Buddha” is the only ancient statue remaining from the day the temple was built, nearly 1,000 years ago. The statue is about 1.2m high, and is placed in the most solemn place. However, because the human head is located low at the bottom of the statue of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara, few people can see the entire ancient statue. Only when going deep into the inner temple, passing other statues, can one clearly see the human head carrying the statue of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara.

The statue of Buddha has a gentle and virtuous face. The arms have many postures but still show a soft and slender appearance. Of the 10 arms, 8 are raised high, the remaining 2 arms are in a gesture in front of the abdomen. The statue's legs are crossed on a lotus pedestal. The lotus pedestal is a demon head in the shape of a fierce man, with 2 hands supporting the lotus pedestal. This represents the submission of evil and is also true to the story told in the legend about the origin of the temple. From the shape to the carved details, the Buddha statue exudes holiness, nobility and virtue. It is also that holiness that makes Buddhists' souls suddenly become light and relaxed every time they come to the temple.

Statue of Buddha with 10 arms, 8 of which are raised gracefully. Photo: Ngoc Phuong

In addition to the statue of "Human head carrying Buddha", Ba But Pagoda currently has many unique Buddha statues with dragons carved on the shoulders, making many researchers and people from near and far surprised and amazed.

Every year on the 20th and 21st of the first lunar month, local people and tourists flock to the pagoda. Here, a custom with a strong cultural identity takes place, which the ancients called the "Ha Linh" ceremony, which is the ceremony to thank Lady Buddha. The ceremony is solemn. After the procession on foot and the water perform the ritual at Qua Son Temple, the statue of Ly Nhat Quang is brought to Lady Buddha Pagoda to hold the ceremony. The ceremony takes place in front of all the people and dignitaries in the village.

That is why, since ancient times, Do Luong people have believed that without Ba But, there would be no Qua Son Temple. This shows the close and harmonious relationship between the two relics bearing the historical value of this land./.