Unique antiques of Giai Pagoda

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 become a place that marks many important historical events of the locality in the resistance wars against France and the US. In the photo: An ancient large plaque with 3 large Chinese characters "Hoa Van Tu" hanging at the pagoda

At Giai Pagoda, many valuable ancient artifacts are still 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 2 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, 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 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 statues of saints... all beautifully crafted and arranged in the middle of the main hall.

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

In addition to the system of statues, on the two altars on the left and right in the main hall of Giai Pagoda, there are also some ancient paintings and photos, including a wooden painting about 0.8m long and 0.5m 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 a box-shaped one, with two ears on top. Many beautiful motifs and patterns are carved around the body of the censer, with a pair of dragons facing the moon in front. After hundreds of years, the ancient pagoda of Van Giai village still exists as before, a corner of the countryside soul that contributes to consolidating the community, helping people to move towards the humanistic values ​​of Buddhism. Giai Pagoda was recognized as a provincial historical relic in 2013.