ID :
42839
Tue, 01/27/2009 - 23:04
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/42839
The shortlink copeid
Clay pagoda provides a sanctuary of records
Hanoi (VNA) - The single feature that distinguishes the Clay Pagoda from other
pagodas is the fact that, not only is it made from clay, but so is everything
inside it.
The Clay Pagoda, which is dedicated to Buddha in multi-ethnic Soc Trang province is
possibly the most unique pagoda in the country.
The original pagoda was built of wood by the Ngo family of Chinese origin more than
two centuries ago and was constantly upgraded and repaired until 1928, when a
descendant, Ngo Kim Tong, decided to rebuild it out of clay, to cut back on the
cost.
It took him 42 years to complete his work, which ranged from tirelessly digging
vast amounts of clay to drying them in the sunlight, manually grinding them into
dust, screening it for impurities and mixing the purified clay with a special sap
made of aloe wood dust and cinamomum latex.
He sculpted more than 1,900 statues and statuettes representing colourful figures,
such as the Sankyamuni Buddha and the 100 hand-1,000 eye Buddha, as well as
fairies, saints and Confucius.
Tong even built a 13-storey tower, 4m high, with 208 doors, each watched by a tiny
Buddha statuette. The house, named Thap Da Bao, is ornamented with 156 dragons. He
also constructed a two-metre high Thap Bao Toa (Bao Toa tower) with the upper part
made into an octagon symbolising the Ba Gua (the eight triagrams).
Another unique feature of the Clay Pagoda is a 1,000-petal lotus temple, with a
miniature Buddha located on each petal.
Other features to have impressed visitors to the pagoda are eight huge candles,
made in 1940. Six of them are 2.6m in height and 200 kg in weight, which, although
they retain their original form, are believed to be able to burn for some 70 years.
The two remaining candles, though smaller at 100kg each, have been alight for
almost 40 years. They were lit in 1970 when the pagoda's maker Tong passed away and
are still going strong today.
Also impressive are three gargantuan incense sticks, each 1.5m high and weighing
50kg. They have yet to be put into use.
All of these records, oddities and achievements have turned the Clay Pagoda into
the most-visited site in Soc Trang province, home to more than 130 pagodas and
temples belonging to the region's three major ethnic groups, the Kinh, the Khmer
and the Hoa.
The provincial service of culture, sports and tourism reported that the pagoda
welcomes approximately 200 visitors and pilgrims every day.
Vietnam possesses a history of Buddhism stretching back more than 2,000 years.
There are about 10 million Buddhists in the country, out of a total population of
85 million.-Enditem
pagodas is the fact that, not only is it made from clay, but so is everything
inside it.
The Clay Pagoda, which is dedicated to Buddha in multi-ethnic Soc Trang province is
possibly the most unique pagoda in the country.
The original pagoda was built of wood by the Ngo family of Chinese origin more than
two centuries ago and was constantly upgraded and repaired until 1928, when a
descendant, Ngo Kim Tong, decided to rebuild it out of clay, to cut back on the
cost.
It took him 42 years to complete his work, which ranged from tirelessly digging
vast amounts of clay to drying them in the sunlight, manually grinding them into
dust, screening it for impurities and mixing the purified clay with a special sap
made of aloe wood dust and cinamomum latex.
He sculpted more than 1,900 statues and statuettes representing colourful figures,
such as the Sankyamuni Buddha and the 100 hand-1,000 eye Buddha, as well as
fairies, saints and Confucius.
Tong even built a 13-storey tower, 4m high, with 208 doors, each watched by a tiny
Buddha statuette. The house, named Thap Da Bao, is ornamented with 156 dragons. He
also constructed a two-metre high Thap Bao Toa (Bao Toa tower) with the upper part
made into an octagon symbolising the Ba Gua (the eight triagrams).
Another unique feature of the Clay Pagoda is a 1,000-petal lotus temple, with a
miniature Buddha located on each petal.
Other features to have impressed visitors to the pagoda are eight huge candles,
made in 1940. Six of them are 2.6m in height and 200 kg in weight, which, although
they retain their original form, are believed to be able to burn for some 70 years.
The two remaining candles, though smaller at 100kg each, have been alight for
almost 40 years. They were lit in 1970 when the pagoda's maker Tong passed away and
are still going strong today.
Also impressive are three gargantuan incense sticks, each 1.5m high and weighing
50kg. They have yet to be put into use.
All of these records, oddities and achievements have turned the Clay Pagoda into
the most-visited site in Soc Trang province, home to more than 130 pagodas and
temples belonging to the region's three major ethnic groups, the Kinh, the Khmer
and the Hoa.
The provincial service of culture, sports and tourism reported that the pagoda
welcomes approximately 200 visitors and pilgrims every day.
Vietnam possesses a history of Buddhism stretching back more than 2,000 years.
There are about 10 million Buddhists in the country, out of a total population of
85 million.-Enditem
