The temple preserves the most ancient Buddha statues in Nghe An
Huy Thu - September 15, 2022 08:14
(Baonghean.vn) - Existing for hundreds of years, Tuan Thien Dan, also known as Thien Temple in Dien Ngoc Commune (Dien Chau), is preserving a diverse and unique system of ancient statues with many values in terms of history, art, religion...
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| Tuan Thien Dan was built in the late 19th century on a high land in Ly Nhan village, Tien Ly commune, now Tay Loc hamlet, Dien Ngoc commune (Dien Chau). Previously, the temple grounds were wide and the landscape was airy. Now, Thien temple grounds are quite narrow and "surrounded" in the middle of a developing countryside with crowded houses. Photo: Huy Thu |
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Like many other Thien temples in Nghe An, Thien temple promotes the idea of "three religions with the same origin" (Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism), most clearly expressed in worship, especially the system of statues. Ancient statues of Thien temple are quite rich and diverse in type (Buddha, saints, gods, servants), style (sitting, standing, riding), size (big, small, tall, short), material (wood, bronze...). Photo: Huy Thu |
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| Of the nearly 40 ancient statues, the number of Buddha statues accounts for more than 1/3, including the statue of Buddha Sakyamuni, the statue of Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara... On the 3 altars in the central hall of Thien temple, there are 3 sets of statues of the Three Worlds. Each set of statues has a different shape and color. The set of three worlds worshiped in the middle is the largest in size, carved in the image of Buddha sitting in meditation on a lotus platform with a benevolent beauty, painted with red paint and gilded. Photo: Huy Thu |
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| According to the management board of Thien Temple relic, Tuan Thien Dan was originally built to worship Quan Thanh De Quan. Later, it was combined with worshiping Taoist gods. During the resistance war against France and the US, temples, pagodas, shrines, and holy houses in the area were destroyed (such as Ca Temple, De Nhat Temple, De Nhi Temple, Ban Canh Temple, Tien Son Pagoda, Quynh Pagoda, Ly Nhan Holy House...), people brought Buddhas, saints, and gods, such as Uy Minh Vuong Ly Nhat Quang, Tu Vi Thanh Nuong, Sat Hai Dai Vuong, Ban Canh Thanh Hoang, Nhui God, Whale, Buddhas, Gods, Confucius... to worship here. Photo: Huy Thu |
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| Mr. Tran Dinh Chuyen - Deputy Manager of Thien Temple Relics said that the specific date of creation of the ancient statues in the temple has not been clearly determined, but based on the material, shape, paint... it can be affirmed that the statues have existed for hundreds of years. Most of the statues were made during the Later Le Dynasty, some are said to date from the Ly and Tran Dynasties. In the photo: The Jade Emperor statue worshiped at Thien Temple. Photo: Huy Thu |
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| At Thien Temple, there are many pairs of symmetrical statues, especially the pair of Quan Ong statues with the appearance of Bodhisattva Manjushri and Bodhisattva Su Loi riding an elephant and a lion, quite unique. Photo: Huy Thu |
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| The ancient statues of Thien Temple are beautifully carved with soft, graceful lines, demonstrating the talent and quintessence of folk art. Each statue is a unique work of art. From the body, face, eyes, corners of the lips, gestures, costumes... all exude a holy, close, and Asian beauty. Photo: Huy Thu |
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| Thien Dan Temple is considered one of the relics that still preserves the most ancient Buddhist statues and dharma statues in Nghe An. In the photo: A pair of "unique" female statues with similar costumes are worshiped at Thien Temple. Photo: Huy Thu |
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| At Thien Temple, besides the large statues from 1.2 - 1.4 m tall, there are also small statues, only about 15 - 20 cm tall, but are quite elaborately crafted. Among the strangely shaped statues at Thien Temple, the statue of "Mother holding child" is a unique statue. Many people believe that this is a beautiful image of the statue of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara. Photo: Huy Thu |
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In addition to the statues, Thien Temple also preserves many ancient sacrificial objects such as thrones, tablets, parallel sentences, large characters, stone steles... In the photo: Ly Nhan Village's Van Hoi Stele "Ly Nhan Van Hoi Bi" carved from green stone is a precious artifact. This is an ancient stele, the content of the stele in Chinese characters is engraved with the names of the successful people of Ly Nhan village from the Tran to Nguyen dynasties. Tuan Thien Dan was recognized as a provincial-level historical and cultural relic in 2020. Photo: Huy Thu |
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The beauty of ancient statues at Tuan Thien Dan. Video: Huy Thu |
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