Unique antiques of Giai Pagoda

Huy Thu• April 13, 2019 19:39

(Baonghean.vn) - Existing for hundreds of years, Giai Pagoda in Thanh Khai Commune, Thanh Chuong District is a relic that still preserves many unique ancient artifacts.

Giai Pagoda is located in the center of Chua hamlet, Thanh Khai commune. It is an ancient architectural work, a place for long-standing cultural and religious activities of local people. The pagoda has been restored many times but still retains its ancient architectural features with 2 upper and lower houses, in the shape of the letter "nhi".

Previously, the pagoda was called Van Hoa Tu, after the village's place name. During the reign of King Thieu Tri, the pagoda was renamed Van Giai. Over time, Giai Pagoda has been a place that marked many important historical events of the locality in the resistance wars against France and the US. In the photo: An ancient large tablet with 3 large Chinese characters "Hoa Van Tu" hanging in the pagoda

At Giai Pagoda, there are still many valuable ancient artifacts preserved, such as statues, mirror stands, parallel sentences, large characters, etc. The statue system alone has more than 10 statues of many types: Buddha, saints, gods, etc., of which the most typical are two large statues of Buddha Shakyamuni worshiped in the middle of the main hall. According to Mr. Nguyen Dinh Minh - a member of the pagoda management board, the Buddha statue in the front was originally worshiped at Sam Pagoda in Thanh Yen commune. When this pagoda was damaged, the local people brought this statue to worship at Giai Pagoda, and the Buddha statue in the back is the original statue at the pagoda.

The original statue of Buddha Sakyamuni at the pagoda is about 1.6m high, made of wood, the Buddha is carved in a meditating position on a lotus throne. The statue consists of 3 parts: the statue body, the lotus platform and the pedestal, which were previously painted red, but after the pagoda was restored, the statue was repainted brown. This statue is associated with many legends about the construction of the pagoda and the Buddhist worship of the people of Van Giai village in the past.

The statue of Sakyamuni in Giai Pagoda is carved with skillful art, the face is plump with all the noble features from the face, nose, ears, mouth... exuding compassion and kindness. Giai Pagoda is one of the few ancient pagodas in Thanh Chuong (almost the only one) that still preserves many unique ancient artifacts, including a system of Buddha statues.

In addition to the two large statues, the pagoda also worships a number of statues of infant Buddha and saints... all beautifully crafted and arranged in the middle of the main hall.

The meticulously carved wooden nine-dragon bracelet is also an ancient and unique artifact of the pagoda.

In addition to the system of statues, on the two left and right altars in the main hall of Giai Pagoda, there are also a number of ancient paintings and photos, including a wooden painting about 0.8 m long and 0.5 m high, with a relief carving of a war elephant going into battle.

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

The ancient incense burner is in the shape of a box, with two ears on top. The body of the incense burner is carved with many beautiful motifs and patterns, with the front depicting two dragons facing the moon. After hundreds of years, the ancient pagoda of Van Giai village still exists as before, a corner of the soul of the countryside contributing to the consolidation of the community, helping people to move towards the humanistic values of Buddhism. Giai Pagoda was recognized as a Provincial Historical Relic in 2013.