Unique statues in the ancient temple in Nam Dan

Xuan Long Pagoda was built by the people of Dong Son village, Khanh Son commune at the foot of the mountain.Don Mountainfrom ancient times. At first it was just a pagoda made of thatch and bamboo, until 1622 it was rebuilt on a large scale. Xuan Long Pagoda and the ancient stone field in front of Ca Temple, where the third-ranking scholar Nguyen Duc Dat used to teach. This is one of the few pagodas that still preserves the ancient system of statues in Nghe An. Photo: Huy Thu

According to local documents, during the war years, temples and pagodas in the area were damaged, some were dismantled and taken to make civil works, but the sacrificial objects, statues, etc. were brought by the people to Xuan Long pagoda for worship. Therefore, the pagodaancient templeThis has become a place where Buddha, saints, and gods gather together. Currently, in the main hall of the pagoda, there are many parallel sentences, large characters, sacrificial objects, and a system of statues, both old and new, quite rich. Photo: Huy Thu

Most ofancient statueCurrently kept at the pagoda (more than 10 statues) are statues of saints and gods such as the Jade Emperor, Nam Tao, Bac Dau, the Holy Lady... made of wood, covered with red lacquer, gilded with gold in many different designs. Photo: Huy Thu

The statues of saints and gods at Xuan Long Pagoda are quite skillfully crafted, with special attention paid to the expressive spirit of each character, clearly shown on the face, of which the most typical is the statue of the Jade Emperor. Photo: Huy Thu

The ancient Buddha statues in the pagoda only have two wooden statues left, including the statue of Buddha Sakyamuni and the statue of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara. The statue of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara is carved in the motif of standing on a lotus throne with a plump face, right hand in a mudra, left hand raised forward. Photo: Huy Thu

At Xuan Long Pagoda, there is also a pair of statues placed symmetrically across the altar in the middle of the main hall, which are the statues of Duc Ong and Duc Ba. These two statues are crafted in the style of sitting, looking out, hands on the thighs. Duc Ong's face is a bit humorous, while Duc Ba's face is sketched and angular. Photo: Huy Thu

On the main altar of Xuan Long Pagoda, there are also 3 small ancient statues, only about 0.5m high, but quite unique. These statues are believed to be the statues of Saint Nuong inbeliefMother Goddess worshiped with a plump face, gilded clothes, especially a statue carved in the position of holding a child. Photo: Huy Thu

The statue of Buddha Sakyamuni is of moderate size and is worshiped in the most solemn position in the pagoda. This is one of the two precious ancient Buddha statues of the pagoda. In general, the ancient statues in Xuan Long pagoda have been stained by time. Although not many in number and the specific age has not been determined, they are quite diverse in type and unique in terms of artistic creation. Photo: Huy Thu

In addition to the ancient statue system, Xuan Long Pagoda also preserves many ancient sacrificial objects, parallel sentences, and large characters, including ancient stone incense burners and 17 royal decrees granted by Vietnamese feudal dynasties to temples and pagodas in the region. Photo: Huy Thu