The story of the Great Bell at Bac Ai Ancestral Temple

08/03/2023 13:04

In the process of approaching and researching documents about the historical and cultural relic of Bac Ai Pagoda, we learned that Bac Ai Pagoda was granted many valuable historical and cultural artifacts by the Nguyen Dynasty, but they were lost and damaged over the years, including the Dai Hong Chung (Big Bell).

Bac Ai Pagoda is located on Mac Dinh Chi Street, Quyet Thang Ward, Kon Tum City. The pagoda was built in the 8th year of Bao Dai (1933) on a high ground, facing the South, following the Hue architectural style, in the shape of the letter Mon, including the Main Hall, East Hall, West Hall and the Three-entrance Gate. This is the first Buddhist architectural work in Kon Tum in particular and the Central Highlands in general. Manager Vo Chuan was the one who made great contributions in the establishment of the pagoda and requested the King to grant many valuable artifacts to Kon Tum.

The document of the Vien Am Monthly of the Central Buddhist Association, year 1, issue 4, dated May 1, 1934, recorded: "In November 1933, on the occasion of the Governor's return to the Hue royal court to report on the pagoda, the Emperor decreed to grant a Great Bell, the Empress Dowager Khon Nguyen Xuong granted a bronze statue of Quan Am, the Empress Dowager Khon Nghi Xuong granted a portrait with a pearl seal, a precious seal, and a precious brocade canopy; the Empress Dowager Doan Huy granted two pairs of brocade fanes".

Bac Ai Ancestral Temple. Photo: PBV

The great bell was cast in August of the 7th year of Minh Mang (1826), weighing 106 pounds, made of bronze, with a mouth diameter of 45cm, and a height of 74cm. Around the body near the mouth of the bell are 4 round knobs, symbolizing the 4 seasons: Spring - Summer - Autumn - Winter. The top of the bell is shaped like two dragons, with 2 heads facing 2 sides, 4 legs, 20cm high, 30cm wide. The body of the bell is smooth, without patterns, with embossed veins on both sides and around, and in the middle is engraved with Chinese characters.

On November 16, 1933, the Great Bell was brought to Kon Tum. The ceremony to welcome the Great Bell and the Precious Bell into the Pagoda was held on November 17, 1933. Attending the ceremony were monks, officials from the two villages of Trung Luong and Luong Khe and the faithful. When carrying the Great Bell, there was music, dragon cauldron, and precious bells decorated solemnly. The Pagoda also organized the firing of firecrackers and drums. Outside the Tam Quan gate, there was an altar and in front of the main hall, there was a separate altar with incense and fruits to invite the Great Bell into the Pagoda.

On the evening of November 19, 1933, the pagoda held a bell-ringing ceremony. Many followers attended the ceremony. During the ceremony, the head priest Vo Chuan read the Great Bell Verse. After the ceremony, the Great Bell was hung on the Co Lau of the Tam Quan Gate, and the bell rang out day and night.

The great bell is displayed at Bac Ai Pagoda. Photo: PBV

During the Tet Mau Than 1968, Kon Tum was the scene of fierce fighting, artillery shells destroyed the Tam Quan Gate, artillery shells punctured two holes in the body of the Great Bell, making it unusable. Afterwards, Venerable Thich An Chanh - Abbot of Bac Ai Pagoda invited craftsmen from Hue to recast a new bell, with a mouth diameter of 59cm, length of 97cm, the bell belt attached with the image of two unicorns transforming into dragons, replacing the damaged Great Bell.

In 1970, Phat Quang Pagoda was built in Phuong Quy village. Due to difficult conditions, Venerable Thich An Chanh took the old Great Bell and repaired it for temporary use. In 1991, Venerable Thich Chanh Quang donated this bell to Linh Quang Tinh Xa in Ho Chi Minh City. Since then, the Great Bell of Bac Ai Pagoda has not been kept in Kon Tum anymore.

Through the guidance of Venerable Thich Chanh Quang - Abbot of Bac Ai Pagoda, in 2009 we had the opportunity to go to Ho Chi Minh City, stop by Linh Quang Tinh Xa, located on Nguyen Khoi Street, Ward 2, District 4, Ho Chi Minh City. Here, the Great Bell is kept very carefully by Venerable Thich Tu Giang, placed in the Tinh Xa's antiques gallery.

In 2021, Venerable Thich Dong Tri was appointed Abbot of Bac Ai Pagoda. He always wished to bring back the old Great Bell to the pagoda. Finally, after a long discussion with Venerable Thich Minh Hue, currently the abbot of Linh Quang Tinh Xa, he happily presented the Great Bell back to Bac Ai Pagoda. On June 26, 2023, Venerable Thich Dong Tri, on behalf of Venerable Thich Chanh Quang, invited the Great Bell from Linh Quang Tinh Xa in Ho Chi Minh City back to Kon Tum.

Before saying goodbye to us, Venerable Thich Dong Tri shared: “This is a nearly 200-year-old antique, with very special historical and cultural value not only for Kon Tum province but also for the Central Highlands. It is necessary for the relevant agencies to soon research and collect documents to establish a dossier to recognize the Great Bell as a national treasure in the near future.”

Pham Binh Vuong

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