Contemplating three objects proposed as national treasures

The lotus stone pedestal at Hao Xa pagoda (Thanh Ha)

Three objects proposed as national treasures by the Hai Duong Provincial People's Committee this time are a stele system in Kinh Chu cave (Kinh Mon), Con Son Tu Phuc tu bi (the stele of Con Son Tu Phuc pagoda) at Con Son pagoda (Chi Linh), and a lotus stone pedestal at Hao Xa pagoda (Thanh Ha).

All of them are architectural and sculptural works rich in cultural and historical value.

Created at different times, the objects are like witnesses of historical stages.

According to ancient epitaphs, Hao Xa pagoda was built in 1011 under the reign of King Ly Thai To, the founder of the Ly dynasty. The pagoda was initially made of bamboo and wood and then rebuilt in the reign of King Tran Nhan Tong.

The lotus stone pedestal is the only object dating from the Tran dynasty that is still being preserved at Hao Xa pagoda. This is an extremely valuable artifact and evidence of the date of the ancient pagoda.

The surface of the stone pedestal forms two layers of lotus petals with decorative patterns imbrued with Cham architectural imprints.

Carved on the body of the pedestal are dragons from sculpture in the Tran dynasty.

Garuda, the mount of Vishnu (Hinduism) and a symbol of human wisdom, was embossed on four corners of the pedestal.

Some stelae on a wall of Kinh Chu cave (Kinh Mon)

The stele system on the walls of Kinh Chu cave is not only a unique wonder but also like a museum of stelae in six centuries (1368 – 1940).

There are 54 stelae of people from all classes, from kings, mandarins, and intellectuals to monks and civilians. Therefore, the inscriptions of the stelae also vary and record many different events, including very important historical information.

For example, according to some stelae in Kinh Chu van chi (temple of literature), five historical figures of the locality were famous mandarins or doctors in the Tran dynasty, namely Pham Qua, Pham Mai, Tran (Do) Khac Chung, Pham Ngo, and Pham Su Manh.

On the stelae in Kinh Chu cave, there are 17 poems by celebrities like Le Thanh Tong, Pham Su Manh, Tran Quoc Trinh, Truong Quoc Dung, Dang Duc Cuong, etc. Among them, there are many good poems rich in literary value. They also form a museum of languages and culture bearing the imprints of numerous dynasties.

Con Son Tu Phuc tu bi at Con Son pagoda (Chi Linh)

Con Son Tu Phuc tu bi was built in the 8th Hoang Dinh year (1607) under the reign of Le King Tong, during a great restoration phase of Con Son pagoda which was presided over by monk Mai Tri Ban.

Its inscriptions were composed by Nguyen Duc Minh, written by Ta Tuan, and engraved by Le Lieu from Kinh Chu commune.

This is a very rare hexagonal stele in Vietnam. It continued to go down in history on February 15, 1965, the day Uncle Ho stopped over and read the stele on the occasion of his visit to Con Son.

Con Son Tu Phuc tu bi is 1.2 m tall and 0.32 m. Its six sides are very beautiful and unique.

Engraved on the stele are many kinds of patterns, such as wavy festoons bordering the six sides, different flowers and leaves flanking each character in the name of the stele, and a dragon or phoenix on top of each side.

Besides their historical significance, the objects also bear a lot of precious cultural and artistic value.

Both the lotus stone pedestal at Hao Xa pagoda and Con Son Tu Phuc tu bi are made of blue-grey stone with scrupulously-carved figures, showing unique sculpture and architecture.

The two artifacts really are works of art that crystallize the talent and skill of folk artists and artisans.

Apart from meeting all criteria in the Heritage Law, the above objects are important parts of national relics and tourist attractions.

However, there remain more or less difficulties in preserving and promoting the value of these objects. Made of stone, they will be eroded over time, but there has not been any long-term preservation plan.

Talking to us about this issue, Vu Truong Son, Head of the Heritage Management Division (Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism), said the authorities of the localities having the treasures should work out plans to ensure absolute safety of each object and not assign them to the individuals directly managing the relics.

Those in charge of the relics should actively introduce the treasures to visitors during festive seasons to heighten their value and encourage research on their value in association with the propagation and promotion of heritage in the province.

"Aside from keeping the objects intact, there should be measures to bring into play their value. Issues about the objects may be included in local historical and cultural syllabi," suggested Nguyen Tien Quan, Deputy Head of the Kinh Mon District Relic Management Board.

MINH NGUYEN