Bac Ninh receives certificate of recognition as National Treasure - Statue of Avalokiteshvara, Cung Kiem Pagoda

The leaders of Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Que Vo town hand over the PM’s Decision on recognizing the National Treasure - Statue of Avalokiteshvara.

Attending the ceremony were leaders of Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Que Vo town.

Cung Kiem pagoda (Thuong Phuc pagoda) has existed for a long time. The pagoda was dismantled in 1950 as part of the scorched-earth policy. Until 1954, the locals temporarily built 3 small compartments to worship Buddha on the old ground. Over the time, in 2018, the pagoda was completely rebuilt by the local government and people. The pagoda was ranked as a historical and cultural relic by the Provincial People’s Committee in 1996.

The leaders of Que Vo town present flowers to congratulate the Cung Kiem pagoda.

The pagoda currently preserves a stone statue of Guanyin which was created in Ky Ty, the 7^th Thai Hoa era (1449). Based on the artistic image, scriptures and legends of Avalokitesvara passed down in Vietnam, it can be seen that the Guan Yin statue represents the incarnation of Nam Hai Guan Yin (commonly known as Guan Yin Dieu Thien). The Statue consists of 2 parts: the body and the pedestal with an overall height of 88.7cm. On both parts of the Statue are engraved with inscriptions, having a total of 67 letters and providing information about the date of creation, addresses and names of meritorious believers.

National Treasure - Statue of Avalokiteshvara.

The Statue was carved at the earlies date (1449). At the same time, it is also the only statue of Avalokiteshvara of the Early Le Dynasty. Along with its historical significance, the Statue also has significance in the history of Buddhism as well as the Vietnamese statue creation.

On January 30, 2023, the PM issued Decision no. 41/QD-TTg on recognizing the Statue of Avalokiteshvara at Cung Kiem pagoda, Nhan Hoa ward as a National Treasure.

At the ceremony, leader of Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism handed over the PM’s Decision to Cung Kiem pagoda.

The Statue of Avalokiteshvara is now preserved at Cung Kiem pagoda.

The Avalokiteshvara Dharma Conference is an occasion for Buddhist monks and nuns to commemorate and honor the great merits of Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara.