But Thap Pagoda, located in Dinh To commune, Thuan Thanh district, Bac Ninh province, is one of the most beautiful ancient temples in the Red River Delta region.
With a history dating back to the 14th century, the pagoda covers an area of approximately 10,000 square meters and follows the traditional “Noi cong ngoai quoc” architectural style, marked by symmetrical and structured layouts at the central area.
The temple complex consists of seven interconnected halls, including the Front Hall (Tien Duong), Heavenly Hall (Thien Huong), Upper Hall (Thuong Dien), Tich Thien Am, Middle Hall (Nha Trung), Ancestral Worship Hall (Phu Tho), and Back Hall (Hau Duong), stretching over 100 meters.
Four national treasures
The pagoda proudly houses four groups of national treasures, recognized as masterpieces of wooden sculpture from the 17th century. These include:
Thousand-Hand, Thousand-Eye Guan Yin statue
Three Buddha statues (Tam The)
Nine-Story Lotus Tower (Cuu Pham Lien Hoa)
Incense Altar (Huong An)
The Thousand-Hand, Thousand-Eye Guan Yin statue: A masterpiece of Buddhist art
One of the most revered artifacts at But Thap Pagoda is the Thousand-Hand, Thousand-Eye Guan Yin statue, recognized as a national treasure in 2012. It stands at 235 cm tall, crafted entirely from wood and lacquered.
The statue features 42 large arms, with two hands clasped in a lotus gesture and two resting on the lap to symbolize meditation and compassion. Surrounding these are over 900 smaller hands, each meticulously carved, creating an overwhelming aura of peace and spirituality.
Venerable Thich Thanh Son, the abbot of But Thap Pagoda, describes the statue as an unparalleled masterpiece of Vietnamese wood sculpture, reflecting both religious devotion and artistic sophistication.
Three Buddha statues (Tam The)
Adjacent to the Guan Yin statue is the Tam The Buddha trio, comprising:
Amitabha Buddha (Past)
Shakyamuni Buddha (Present)
Maitreya Buddha (Future)
These statues depict Buddhas meditating on lotus thrones, with their expressions radiating tranquility and compassion.
The square three-tiered pedestal on which they rest symbolizes past, present, and future, harmonizing the Buddhist concept of time.
The Nine-Story Lotus Tower (Cuu Pham Lien Hoa)
The Nine-Story Lotus Tower at But Thap Pagoda is regarded as one of the most magnificent wooden architectural masterpieces in Vietnam.
The tower consists of nine levels, each adorned with elaborate carvings depicting Buddhist tales. Remarkably, despite its age, the tower still rotates silently, showcasing the ingenuity of ancient Vietnamese craftsmanship.
This rotating tower, considered the most beautiful of its kind, is an extraordinary testament to the artistic and technical prowess of Vietnamese artisans.
The Incense Altar (Huong An)
The Incense Altar is a stunning piece of wooden sculpture, intricately carved with motifs of dragons, clouds, and lotus flowers.
Crafted from precious wood, it demonstrates the elegance and sophistication typical of 17th-century Vietnamese religious art.
Historical significance and preservation
But Thap Pagoda is not only a religious sanctuary but also an architectural marvel. It holds nearly 100 wooden statues, each with a unique expression and posture, representing a deep spiritual essence.
Additionally, the pagoda boasts over 50 stone carvings depicting birds, flowers, and mythical creatures, reflecting the artistic diversity of the era.
The Bao Nghiem Tower, housing the statue of Zen Master Chuyet Chuyet, is another unique architectural element, further enhancing the pagoda’s cultural and historical value.
The pagoda was recognized as a National Historical Site in 1962, and in 2013, it was designated as a Special National Monument by the Prime Minister of Vietnam.
Bao Khanh
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