Stone bells from Dieu Pagoda - Precious treasures of Ha Nam

Điều Pagoda (Điều Tự), located in Đông Tự village (Vũ Bản, Bình Lục), was built on the Quắc Hương estate of the Grand Tutor Trần Thủ Độ (during the Trần dynasty). During the Later Lê dynasty, Điều Pagoda underwent major renovations. Currently, the site preserves several architectural elements, religious artifacts, and objects reflecting the artistic style of the Later Lê and Nguyễn dynasties (17th-19th centuries). In particular, the ancient stone bell, erected during the reign of King Lê Hy Tông in the 13th year of the Chính Hòa era (1692), is a remarkable work of art and is considered a national treasure.

The stone bell is 0.95m high, 1.45m wide, and 0.7m thick, weighing approximately 300kg, and decorated on both sides. The front has a finial 23cm high and 59cm long. In the center of the finial is carved a Bodhi leaf, with a circle resembling a sun inside. The circle has a large dot in the center, surrounded by spaced curved lines, resembling a sun radiating light. The border of the Bodhi leaf features large and small, high and low, irregularly shaped blades pointing upwards, with a dragon on each side (left and right). Each side has a dragon with a crest on its head, large, protruding eyes, a wide mouth, a pearl in its tongue, a beard on its chin, a three-section coiled body, and three-toed feet. The dragon's body is formed by a single line surrounded by rows of dots. The dragon's tail curves upwards, creating a descending dragon pose, with the blades on either side of the tail resembling flames surrounding the Bodhi leaf.

The bell is divided into two unequal parts, framed by small, recessed lines. Between these lines are six equally spaced compartments. The two compartments on the right are engraved with the words "Cửu thiên" (Nine Heavens). The two middle compartments are left blank. The two compartments on the left are engraved with the words "Ứng nguyên" (Responding to the origin) (Cửu thiên ứng nguyên - responding to the highest level reaching the nine heavens). To the right of the word "Cửu" is a knob. To the left of the word "Nguyên" is another knob. Both knobs are round and convex, resembling the sun. Above the knobs, on the left, is an engraved image of a butterfly with outstretched wings, as if in flight. There is a small gap between the two parts of the bell. The second part is wider, framed by lines and engraved. This part has four raised Chinese characters: "Bảo khánh Điều tự" (Precious Bell of Điều Temple), engraved within a modified Bodhi leaf motif on a background of eight fully bloomed chrysanthemum flowers, symmetrical above, below, left, and right. In the center of the bell is a round hole for attaching a hanging handle.

A field survey of the value of the stone bell at Điều Pagoda.

On either side of the bell, a dancing phoenix is ​​carved, both facing upwards towards the Bodhi leaf at the top. The phoenixes spread their wings wide, their necks, heads, and bodies resembling geese, their legs long with four toes, and their tails spread wide and gracefully. Below the phoenixes, on the right is the character "Xuân" (Spring), and on the left is the character "Thu" (Autumn), both carved within a modified Bodhi leaf. The phoenix tails above cover the two missing characters "Xuân". Below the character "Hạ" (Summer) on the left is the image of an otter in the water, its head, ears, and tail large, its four legs spread out, its body slender and curved, playfully frolicking a coiled carp.

The inner frame of the bell is a hexagonal shape, enclosed by recessed lines spaced apart. The frame is engraved with 46 Chinese characters, with varying numbers of characters per row. The inscription records the benefactor who commissioned the creation of the bell: "Special Envoy, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Southern Guard, concurrently physician, Tri Te Sinh Duong, Marquis of Cam Duong, posthumous name Phuc Dien, religious title Huyen Uy Dai Phap, wife Tran Thi Nhan, religious title Tu Thong, along with their children, grandchildren, and officials from Quac Thi commune, My Loc district, Thien Truong prefecture, who contributed labor, money, and rice to create the bell..." A special section is dedicated to recording the names, religious titles, academic degrees, and positions of deceased relatives of the benefactor. The final section includes the date, month, year, and reign year of the bell's creation...

The border of the plaque is adorned with motifs of plum blossoms, pine branches, interspersed with mythical creatures and birds in various poses.

Back side: The top of this bell is plain, without decoration. In the middle of the bell's neck is a hole for attaching a hanging handle. This section has two rows of Chinese characters. The top row is engraved with six characters: "Lôi thanh phổ hóa thiên tôn" (like the clear sound of thunder announcing and influencing even the revered deities in heaven). The bottom row is engraved with ten characters, each within a modified octagon. On the right are five characters: "Niên niên tăng phú quý" (year after year increases wealth and prosperity). On the left are five characters: "Nhật nhật thọ vinh hoa" (day after day lives in glory and honor).

The right side of the bell is engraved with the character "Thu" (Autumn), and the left side with the character "Dong" (Winter), both nestled within a stylized Bodhi leaf. On either side of the bell, below the character "Thu" on the right and below "Dong," are carved dragons with bulging eyes, wide-open mouths, and one's feet seemingly gripping the other's mouth. The dragon's body is formed by a central ridge surrounded by two rows of small dots. The dragon's tail curves upwards, creating a descending dragon pose. Each dragon has four sharp claws, a fierce mane and beard, and large and small, high and low blades on either side of the tail, resembling flames. The bell's interior is framed in a hexagonal shape, similar to the front. This side is engraved with 36 lines of Chinese characters. The content is an inscription explaining the reason, purpose, and significance of creating the bell, praising the Buddhist temple, commemorating meritorious deeds, conveying faith and love towards the compassionate and benevolent Buddha, and expressing the yearning for the eternal existence of the homeland, country, and Buddhist teachings. The lower section lists some of the donors and the person who composed the inscription on the plaque.

Based on research and the amended Law on Cultural Heritage of 2009, which stipulates the criteria for national treasures, the stone bell of Dieu Pagoda is assessed as a national treasure that possesses the following basic values:

Original, unique artifact: Currently, many stone bells from the Le Trung Hung period to the Nguyen period have been discovered throughout the country, but none are as uniquely and distinctively decorated as the stone bell of Dieu Pagoda. The subject matter and decorative motifs show that ancient artisans used entirely manual techniques to create the work and achieved perfect beauty. In terms of age, this is one of the oldest stone bells discovered in Ha Nam and throughout the country, carved in the year of Nham Than, the 13th year of the Chinh Hoa era (1692) during the reign of King Le Hy Tong. Therefore, the stone bell of Dieu Pagoda is a representative work of stone sculpture from the Le Trung Hung period.

Unique Form: The content and decorative art on the bell blend together to form a unified, distinctive whole, like a vibrant painting, combining text and scenery, traditional symbols with folk aesthetics. It functions both as a sacred object of Buddhism and as a stone stele. The symbols on the bell have a unique and distinctive style, clearly demonstrating the intermingling of Buddhist, Confucian, Taoist, and folk beliefs in a lively manner. No other stone bell is as fully and elaborately decorated as the bell at Dieu Pagoda.

Buddhist symbols: the main feature is the Bodhi leaf, including: a Bodhi leaf shaped like a circle resembling the sun, with a large dot in the center, surrounded by spaced curves radiating a halo; and stylized Bodhi leaves, with the four characters "Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter" enclosed within them.

Confucian symbolism: The dragon image on the forehead of the amulet depicts two dragons in a descending posture, with crests on their heads, pearls in their mouths, bodies coiled in three sections, three-toed feet, and two tails with inverted blades like flames surrounding Bodhi leaves. The pair of dragons represents both authority and embodies the dreams and aspirations of the ancients regarding water resources and abundant harvests…

Taoist symbolism: This is the image of three raised dots, creating a spiral pattern within a Bodhi leaf, on a pair of dragons flanking the Bodhi leaf, arranged harmoniously, symmetrically, and solemnly.

Folk and courtly themes are intertwined: Representative images include an otter in the water, its four legs spread out, its slender, curved body playing with a coiled carp; and cranes sipping nectar from flowers in lively poses. Alongside folk themes, there are also courtly themes such as pine trees and plum branches.

Historical, Cultural, and Scientific Value: The stone bell of Điều Pagoda is a representative work of art from the Lê Trung Hưng period, representing the peak of ancient Vietnamese sculpture and leaving behind many masterpieces for posterity. The decorative themes of the bell reflect the harmony and integration of religions during the Lê Trung Hưng era, clearly demonstrating the "Three Religions in Harmony" ideology, while also conveying the people's aspirations for a peaceful and unified country. The bell's content is a valuable source of information in various aspects: history, epigraphy, and art history, aiding in the understanding of history, religion, writing, administrative place names, currency, cultural life, and beliefs of the people during the Lê Trung Hưng period. Furthermore, the stone bell is not only a Buddhist musical instrument but also a treasure for researching and understanding the art of sculpting various types of stone musical instruments used in worship during the Lê dynasty that still exist in the ancient land of Hà Nam and throughout the country.

With its exceptional historical, cultural, and aesthetic values, the stone carving of Dieu Pagoda meets all the conditions to be proposed for recognition as a National Treasure by the State.

Do Van Hien (Director of Ha Nam Museum)

Source: https://baohanam.com.vn/van-hoa/di-san/khanh-da-chua-dieu-bao-vat-quy-cua-ha-nam-135905.html