Ancient pagoda in Bac Ninh has 4 national treasures, all of which are masterpieces of wood carvings.

But Thap Pagoda in Dinh To Commune, Thuan Thanh District (Bac Ninh), whose Chinese name is Ninh Phuc Tu, is one of the most beautiful ancient temples in the Northern Delta. The pagoda was built in the 14th century, with an area of about 10,000m2.

Like many ancient pagodas in the North, But Thap Pagoda was built in the style of internal public and external private, with architectural works arranged symmetrically and tightly in the central area.

Panoramic view of But Thap Pagoda.

The outermost structure is the Tam Quan, with a relatively simple architecture. Next is the 2-storey, 8-roofed bell tower. Behind the bell tower are 7 consecutive buildings: Front Hall, Thien Huong, Thuong Dien, Tich Thien Am, Trung House, Worship Hall, Hau Duong with a total length of more than 100 meters.

Currently, the pagoda still preserves four groups of national treasures: the statue of the Thousand-Handed, Thousand-Eyed Bodhisattva Guanyin (recognized as a national treasure in 2012) and three statues of the Three Worlds, the Nine-Plate Lotus, and the incense table (all recognized in 2020). The treasures were all crafted in the 17th century from wood.

Monk Thich Thanh Son, abbot of But Thap Pagoda, said that the statue of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara with a thousand hands and eyes is a masterpiece in our country's sculpture art, made of wood and covered with paint.

Statue of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara with a thousand eyes and a thousand hands.

The height of the statue (from the lotus pedestal to the top of the statue's head) is 235cm. The statue has 42 large arms, two hands clasped in front of the chest in the lotus position, two hands placed on the thighs with fingers crossed symbolizing the posture of practicing and meditating, more than 900 small arms, of different lengths.

The statue exudes an ancient, majestic look.

Every little detail is meticulously cared for.

Next to the statue of Buddha is the Three Worlds, including Amitabha Buddha - presiding over the past, Shakyamuni Buddha - presiding over the present and Maitreya Buddha - presiding over the future. The three statues are sitting in a meditative posture on a lotus throne. Below is a square pedestal, constricted in the middle with a three-tiered structure.

3 statues of Tam The

The Nine-Piece Lotus Tower at But Thap Pagoda is one of the three most beautiful towers in Vietnam today. With dozens of diverse carvings, considered to have reached a perfect level of high artistic value, this is a worthy treasure representing a land rich in cultural traditions.

The Nine-Grade Lotus Throne is exquisitely carved.

The tower has a 9-storey layout, all 8 sides are carved with sophisticated reliefs related to Buddhist stories. After hundreds of years, the tower can still rotate without making a sound. This is the Nine-Piece Lotus Tower, considered the most beautiful remaining.

Exquisite carvings on the Kinh mortar

But Thap Pagoda still preserves nearly 100 wooden statues carved in many standing, sitting, and kneeling positions with vivid facial expressions, expressing deep inner feelings with noble Buddhist meanings.

Along with wood carvings, But Thap Pagoda also has over 50 rich stone carvings of birds, animals, flowers, trees... with clear lines and shapes, looking very delicate.

Many tourists visit But Thap Pagoda, including many international tourists.

With its unique values, But Thap Pagoda was ranked as a national monument in 1962, and in 2013 was ranked as a special national monument by the Prime Minister.