Alone in the relatively sleepy southwest of Bac Ninh province, the “But Thap temple” is a rich symbol and landmark of Buddhist history and architectural styles in Vietnam. Rawford Located only 29 km east of the frenzied city’s core of Hanoi called “But Thap” which also goes by the name of NInh Phuc, meaning Tranquil Happiness, extends an appeal rooted in history and architecture. The architectural planning of the temple with high edifices and the calm corridors has made this temple an emblem of art and spiritual center in the region.
The temple’s name, “But Thap” (Brush-Shaped Tower) traces back the name from a now-demolished Ly-dynasty stupa from the temple’s formative years or the still-standing five- story stupa built in the 17th century. There are very few stupas in Vietnamese Buddhist architecture, and the one in “But Thap” is especially sacred, creating a highlight that some, though not all, temples possess.
The architectural plan of “But Thap” is a collection of seven structures aligned in a north-south orientation, and of these, five are surrounded by an outer gallery. To the south of the compound, a two-storey gate and bell tower are located directly opposite each other, guarding the entrance into the temple grounds; to the east of the temple, there is a large stupa, which is placed slightly off axis behind the one, which has the shape of a two-storey pavilion. It is inside this cocoon, that one can find the archaeological crux of the temple, in essence the glory of the past merged with the divine.
In the southern part of the temple zone, there is the front gate – a very large hall open towards the north, which is adorned with sculptures of the divinities-patrons and temples – the guardians and spiritual warriors. Other than it the “Censer Hall” leads to the magnificent “Main Altars Hall.” This hall which itself is considered the most remarkable part of the temple, contains a quite variegated assembly of statues, one of which is the gorgeous “thousand-arm” Quan Am (Kuan Yin), the bodhisattva of compassion. This statue, which was made in 1656 and has 817 arms, may contain a message about Quan Am’s mission in Buddhist mythology in that whether the number of arms or the legend about Quan Am saving all beings that need help, she has the powerful intention of helping as many lost souls as possible.
Statues of three important Buddhas including historical Buddha Gautama, Amitabha of compassion, and Maitreya Buddha of the future along with the images of arhat and influential monks of Vietnam have also been installed alongside which make line up a picture of spiritual hierarchy to the seats that contribute to the over all peaceful environment of this hall.
Just a short distance behind the Hall of the Main Altars is the “Hall of the Nine Degrees Mountain.” Within this hall is a unique relic: a prayer wheel carved from wood in the 13th century, an octagonal structure regarded as being the work of Huyen Quang, the third patriarch of the Bamboo Forest school of Vietnamese Buddhism. Once, as three stories, nine terraces, and forty spindly columns, this building spun like Tibetan prayer wheels through the Middle Ages and is a piece of the technical art of Vietnam.
After these there are two further, smaller halls, which were used as a meeting hall and as an Opel hall, originally dedicated to a queen and her daughters, for the temple building. At the very centre of the current temple layout, there is a statue of Ho Chi Minh That is one of the few examples of a fusion between traditional Vietnamese communism and buddhism.
Outside the compound toward the east of the central worship hall stands the eloquent five-storey high Bao Nghiem stupa. Constructed in 1647 by the then temple’s abbot Minh Hanh, this stupa enshrine Chuyet Chuyet a Chinese Chân monk who chose “But Thap” as his place of residing during the 17th century. Its walls are inspired by artworks of plants and animals from the 17th and 18th centuries that depict the fine art at “But Thap”.
And endowed with such background, elaborate architecture and religious significance “But Thap Temple” reflects the culture and history of Vietnam’s Buddhism. Ideas and thoughts, specific patterns on every hall, statue and carved wall let a visitor to explore the rich heritage and art gallery of the place which has been rich centuries in terms of religion and art in the heart of Bac Ninh.
Mr. Muhammad Ali Pasha is an analyst and expert on Central Asia, South East Asia, China, Türkiye and Middle East having experience in the field of article writing in various renowned journals and newspapers across the globe. Furthermore, he is a writer and poet.
