Zen Dance - Introducing Buddhist art during the Ly Dynasty

The exhibition “Dance of Zen - Buddhist Art of the Ly Dynasty: Heritage and Technology” introduces 14 typical artifacts, selected from the Buddhist heritage of the Ly Dynasty currently preserved at the National Museum of History, containing the most unique values ​​of Buddhist art of the Ly Dynasty.

Buddhist art during the Ly Dynasty (11th-13th century) was the pinnacle of Dai Viet fine arts, a unique combination of Zen spirit and indigenous culture, royal and folk art creating a unique style.

Many people and tourists visit the exhibition.

The exhibition focuses on introducing 4 typical art fields, including: Temple and tower architecture; sculpture; ceramic art; music and dance.

Regarding the art of pagoda architecture, during the Ly Dynasty (1009-1225), Buddhism flourished and was highly valued and developed by the royal court. Typical among them were the "national pagodas" built such as the One Pillar Pagoda, Bao Thien Tower, Dam Pagoda, Phat Tich Pagoda, Long Doi Pagoda...

The architecture of pagodas and towers during the Ly Dynasty was not only a religious work, but also an artistic work expressing Buddhist philosophy and advanced techniques, imbued with Vietnamese identity and at the same time expressing the absorption of foreign cultural elements.

Visitors learn about the stone column pedestal found at Phat Tich Pagoda, Tien Du District, Bac Ninh Province.

The art of Buddhist sculpture during the Ly Dynasty reached its peak with the harmonious combination of Zen Buddhism, royal art and folk culture, creating a style that was graceful yet majestic, sacred yet intimate. The sculptures of the Ly Dynasty, with the techniques of making round statues, reliefs, embossments, and openwork carvings, were created in soft, graceful, balanced, harmonious, highly stylized shapes but still retained their natural features.

The phoenix head is an architectural decoration on the roofs of palaces and pagodas during the Ly Dynasty.

Ceramics in Buddhist art of the Ly Dynasty with ivory white glaze, brown glaze, brown flower, jade glaze. The main decorative techniques are intaglio engraving, unique enameling, printing molds, embossing... with typical patterns related to Buddhism: lotus, chrysanthemum, phoenix, dragon, dancer...

Statue of Kinnari playing drums found at Phat Tich pagoda, Tien Du district, Bac Ninh province.

Dragon decoration with white glazed ceramic material .

Brown flower jar made of enameled ceramic.

Fairy statue head (1057), discovered at Phat Tich Pagoda, Tien Du, Bac Ninh.

Buddhist music and dance art during the Ly Dynasty is a unique combination of religious rituals, folk traditions and royal art, creating a unique musical and dance heritage imbued with national identity.

During the Ly Dynasty, Buddhism was the national religion, music and dance became the means to propagate the teachings and practice rituals; musical instruments and melodies were influenced by great cultures such as India and China but were deeply Vietnamized. Buddhist rituals were solemnly held with solemn music under the patronage of the royal court.

Thematic exhibition “Zen Dance - Buddhist Art of the Ly Dynasty: Heritage and Technology” with interpretations and projections using 3D mapping, hologram, digital revival, gauze projection techniques... brings visitors new, deeper and more attractive experiences.

Mr. Truong Minh Tien, President of the UNESCO Association of Hanoi City, said he was very impressed with this exhibition. He shared: This exhibition is very meaningful because it combines Buddhist historical elements with technological elements and reflects the history of Buddhism introduced to Vietnam 2000 years ago.

Previously, we often displayed ordinary artifacts, but this exhibition applies projection techniques, so it is very special. For example, if an artifact is missing a part, we can restore it completely.

The 1507 Diamond statue at Phat Tich Pagoda. The statue, which had lost its head, was restored using 3D projection technology.

Thanks to the applied technological solutions, the public can learn more about each motif on the artifacts.

Dr. Nguyen Van Doan, Director of the National Museum of History, said: Through the use of digital technology, the exhibition aims to contribute to the restoration, regeneration and revival of extremely valuable cultural heritages. Thereby, helping the public to understand more deeply and appreciate traditional cultural values, contributing to raising awareness of preserving and promoting national cultural values.

The exhibition will run until the end of July 2025 at the National Museum of History, located at 1 Trang Tien, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi.

Source: https://nhandan.vn/vu-khuc-thien-mon-gioi-thieu-nghe-thuat-phat-giao-thoi-ly-post880239.html