Recognizing the Woodblocks of Dau Pagoda as a national treasure

Presenting the certificate of recognition as a National Treasure for the Woodblocks of Dau Pagoda to the pagoda and Thanh Khuong ward authorities. Photo: Thanh Thuong/VNA

As planned, the Dau Pagoda Festival 2024 will take place from May 13 to 15 (April 6 to 8 of the lunar calendar) with traditional rituals at Dau Pagoda and pagodas in the Tu Phap worship system. The opening ceremony and announcement of the decision to recognize the Dau Pagoda Woodblocks as a National Treasure will take place on May 13 in the Dau Pagoda yard.

Along with the ceremony are festival activities such as: Quan Ho singing on boats; Dong Ngu water puppetry; performances of traditional folk art forms such as Ca Tru, Trong Quan, Cheo singing, Van singing...; mass art exchange, sports competitions and folk games...

Lien anh and lien chi sing Bac Ninh folk songs at the 2024 Dau communal festival. Photo: Thanh Thuong/VNA

Dau Pagoda Festival is an indispensable need in the spiritual life of Dau people. Because this is not only the need to seek Buddha and immerse yourself in vibrant and typical folk cultural activities, but also has the important meaning of praying for all good things, praying for favorable weather - an eternal wish of agricultural residents.

Dau Pagoda, formerly in Dau commune, now in Thanh Khuong ward, Thuan Thanh town, Bac Ninh province, is known as the earliest ancient pagoda in our country. This is one of the historical and religious relics marking the origin of Buddhism in Vietnam. Therefore, the pagoda attracts many domestic and foreign tourists to come for pilgrimage, sightseeing, and learning about its precious historical values.

Currently, the Dau Pagoda National Special Monument is known as the most famous landmark in Kinh Bac, with its unique and outstanding value in terms of architectural history and art. Dau Pagoda was honored to be ranked as a Special National Monument by the Prime Minister in Decision No. 2383/QD-TTg dated December 9, 2013; the set of Buddha statues of the Four Dharmas of Dau region was recognized as a National Treasure by the Prime Minister in Decision No. 2090/QD-TTg dated December 25, 2017. Dau Pagoda still preserves many valuable documents and antiques, such as stone steles, stone gongs, bronze bells, etc.

Woodblocks of Dau Pagoda. Photo: Thanh Thuong/VNA

In particular, the National Treasure - Dau Pagoda Woodblocks was just recognized by the Prime Minister in January 2024. The set of 107 woodblocks is the only original, unique, complete and authentic artifact with many types of texts such as: Legends about Buddha Tu Phap, stories about Buddha Tu Phap, Buddhist scriptures, rituals to pray for rain, pray for rain, worship the temple's founders...

Researchers temporarily classify it into 13 different sets including: Co Chau Hanh, Co Chau Luc, Co Chau Nghi, Am Chat Giai Am, Nhan Qua Quoc Ngu, Ky Vu Kinh, Ky Vu Hong An Cong Van, Thinh Long Vuong Nghi, Cong Duc, Muc Lien, Tam Giao, Phu Chu and Ton Nghi are the boards whose names have not been determined.

Each block has a rectangular cross-section, most of which are of average size, 40 - 47cm long, 19 - 24cm wide, and 1.5 - 2.5cm thick; 92/107 blocks are carved on both sides and 15/107 on one side. Some blocks are interwoven with illustrations that are tightly arranged and in harmony with the text.

The woodblocks of Dau Pagoda were carved during the Le Trung Hung and Tay Son dynasties, lasting until the Nguyen Dynasty. The characters on the woodblocks are all ancient Chinese characters and Nom characters, engraved in negative, with soft lines and high aesthetics, so when printed on Do paper, they are very sharp. The printing boards are all made of Thi tree wood. After nearly 300 years, the woodblocks at Dau Pagoda are still quite intact, with enough characters, sharp and clear.

People admire the national treasure of Dau Pagoda Woodblocks. Photo: Thanh Thuong/VNA

Since ancient times, Dau Pagoda and the Four Dharma Buddha system have been associated with the agricultural residents' wish for favorable weather and wind and have been a Buddhist center with the fusion and integration of Indian Buddhism and indigenous beliefs to create a unique Four Dharma Buddha system of Vietnam.

The Dau Pagoda Woodblocks are a valuable cultural heritage that helps research on Dau Pagoda, the Four Dharmas in history, and also learn about the founders of Dau Pagoda through the ages. Currently, 107 woodblocks at Dau Pagoda are being carefully protected and preserved.

The recognition of national treasures is an important legal basis demonstrating the State's recognition of the historical, cultural, scientific and artistic values of the Woodblocks at Dau Pagoda. At the same time, it creates a legal basis for preserving and promoting the long-term value of treasures, contributing to fostering love for the homeland and country for generations of people; clarifying the history, cultural traditions and customs of the locality. This is the basis for restoration and embellishment in the future, thereby raising the sense of responsibility of authorities at all levels and people in preserving and promoting the value of relics and national treasures at Dau Pagoda.

Source: VNA

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