Still here even though the old pagoda and tower are no longer there
Although they are national treasures, none of the Kim Cuong statues in Doi Son Pagoda ( Ha Nam ) do not have "wounds". The first statue has its head, two arms, and feet repaired, the sword resting on its chest is missing. The second statue has its head reattached, two arms and sword are broken. The next statue has its neck attached with cement, the right arm, right leg, left foot and sword are missing, the decorative frill is almost completely broken. The fourth statue has its left leg, right foot, two arms and sword missing, the decorative frill is also only partially left. The fifth statue has the decorative part on the left armor and left leg remade with lime mortar, the statue's neck is reattached, the left foot is missing. The last statue has its arms, sword, left leg missing, besides the crown of its hat, forehead, nose, and mouth have broken marks.
Diamond statues at Doi Son pagoda
PHOTO: PROVIDED BY DEPARTMENT OF CULTURAL HERITAGE
According to the national treasures dossier, the set of 6 Kim Cuong statues of Doi Son pagoda is currently damaged due to the impact of war and natural disasters, but basically the current condition is sufficient to allow research and restoration. "Among the Ly dynasty relics in our country, the number of Kim Cuong statues of Doi Son pagoda remaining is the largest and most complete", the dossier said.
Carved in the style of a monolithic sandstone relief, these are the remaining 6 statues in the set of 8 Kim Cuong statues, with similar shapes and sizes: wearing a helmet, wearing gold armor, wearing high-necked shoes, two hands supporting a sword, standing majestically, protecting Buddhism.
The records also show that the 8 Kim Cuong statues were originally arranged in 4 pairs to guard the 4 doors of the Sung Thien Dien Linh tower in this pagoda. The 6 Kim Cuong statues in Doi Son pagoda are therefore components of the tower. The 6 statues are one of the architectural and sculptural components that create the unique value of the Ly Dynasty tower, which was recorded as "built with thirteen floors reaching the sky".
Aesthetics, Buddhist thought in Ly dynasty
The description shows that this set of 6 Kim Cuong statues is carved in a standing position, life-size, with the appearance of a military officer, a calm and resolute demeanor, and a kind face. Although they are military generals, their appearance is not in martial arts postures but with relaxed muscles, standing solemnly with a sword in front of their stomachs. On the armor are many-petaled flowers blooming, giving the feeling that the whole body of the statue is breathing.
The National Heritage Council assessed that the decorative patterns on the armor, ancient statues, and stone pillars behind the six statues were exquisitely carved by ancient artisans. In particular, the unique daisy pattern shows a very high level of skill and aesthetic sense, typical of Ly Dynasty fine arts, expressing the philosophy of life, world view, and Buddhist ideology. The statues are also valuable materials for the study of Ly Dynasty ancient costumes as well as traditional ancient costumes in general. The ideas and patterns on the statues also reflect the relationship, cultural exchange, and influence between Dai Viet nation under the Ly Dynasty and major cultures such as China, India, and Champa in history.
Researcher Vu Kim Loc, who has restored many Nguyen Dynasty kings' hats, believes that these Kim Cuong statues have a very special pattern of petals on the crown of the hat. This is a highlight and also a sign of a type of flower hat that ancient artisans expressed. Mr. Loc assessed that when looking at the whole hat, it will look like a large chrysanthemum, with the crown of the hat being a block of petals surrounding the pistil, the crown of the hat being the petals that have bloomed and drooped. The two flowers on both sides of the hat are shown in a semi-open form and are probably also of the chrysanthemum species.
Mr. Loc asked why it was a flower hat, while Kim Cuong, the protector of Buddhism, is often depicted wearing armor like a warrior's, and the hat is usually a tiger head with a fierce, threatening face and teeth, as often seen in Chinese Kim Cuong statues.
Mr. Loc explained this chrysanthemum hat by comparing it with the flower hats of Champa warriors depicted in the carvings depicting the battles between Champa and Khmer at Angkor temple (12th century) in present-day Cambodia. The Champa hat above is a lotus shape, the body of the hat is also quite similar to the lotus leaf. "Through the comparison between the hat on the Kim Cuong statue of the Ly dynasty and the hat of the Champa warrior mentioned above, it is interesting that one side uses chrysanthemums as the main flower, while the other side has lotus flowers. Obviously, this type of flower hat was very popular at that time and there was mutual influence between the Ly and Champa dynasties," Mr. Loc concluded.
To emphasize the value of this set of Kim Cuong statues, the heritage record also mentions ancient documents and steles. Accordingly, during the Ly Dynasty, there were sets of Eight Great Kim Cuong statues in Bao Thien Tower (Hanoi), Phat Tich Tower (Bac Ninh), Tuong Long Tower (Hai Phong), Chuong Son Tower ( Nam Dinh )... However, up to now, only Sung Thien Dien Linh Tower of Doi Son Pagoda still has 6 Kim Cuong statues. "Thereby, it can be affirmed that this set of Kim Cuong statues is the most typical, unique and complete Buddhist sculpture remaining in the Ly Dynasty pagoda", the treasure record stated. (to be continued)
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/doc-la-bao-vat-quoc-gia-bo-tuong-kim-cuong-thoi-ly-con-lai-185250713230603731.htm
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