Unique artifacts at Giai Pagoda

Previously, the temple was called Van Hoa Tu, after the name of the village. During the reign of Emperor Thieu Tri, the temple was renamed Van Giai. Over time, Giai Temple has become a place that commemorates many important historical events of the locality during the resistance against the French and the Americans. In the photo: An ancient plaque with three large Chinese characters "Hoa Van Tu" hanging in the temple.

At Giai Pagoda, many valuable ancient artifacts are still preserved, such as statues, mirror stands, couplets, and large inscriptions. The statue collection alone comprises over 10 statues of various types: Buddha, saints, deities, etc., most notably the two large statues of Shakyamuni Buddha worshipped in the central hall. According to Mr. Nguyen Dinh Minh, a member of the pagoda's management board, the Buddha statue in the front was originally worshipped at Sam Pagoda in Thanh Yen commune. When that pagoda was damaged, local people brought the statue to Giai Pagoda for worship. The Buddha statue in the back is the original statue from Giai Pagoda.

The original statue of Shakyamuni Buddha at the temple is about 1.6 meters tall and made of wood. The Buddha is depicted in a meditative seated position on a lotus throne. The statue consists of three parts: the body, the lotus pedestal, and the base. It was originally painted red, but after the temple's renovation, it was repainted brown. This statue is associated with many legends about the temple's construction and the Buddhist beliefs of the people of Van Giai village in the past.

The statue of Shakyamuni Buddha at Giai Pagoda is sculpted with exquisite artistry, its full face complete with auspicious features from the face, nose, ears, mouth… exuding compassion and benevolence. Giai Pagoda is one of the few (almost the only) ancient pagodas in Thanh Chuong that still preserves many unique ancient artifacts, including a system of Buddha statues.

Besides the two large statues, the temple also houses several statues of the infant Buddha and other deities… all beautifully crafted and arranged in the central hall of the main sanctuary.

The intricately carved wooden nine-dragon ring is also a unique and ancient artifact of the temple.

Besides the system of statues, the two altars on the left and right in the main hall of Giai Pagoda also house a number of ancient paintings and photographs, including a wooden carving about 0.8m long and 0.5m high depicting war elephants going into battle.

Another artifact, also considered an ancient treasure of Giai Pagoda, is a stone incense burner with dragon handles, weighing over 10 kg.

The ancient incense burner is box-shaped, with two handles on top. Its body is intricately carved with beautiful patterns and motifs, and the front depicts two dragons facing the moon. After hundreds of years, the ancient temple in Van Giai village still stands as it did in the past, a corner of rural soul that contributes to community cohesion and helps people embrace the humanistic values ​​of Buddhism. Giai Temple was recognized as a Provincial-level Historical Monument in 2013.