The bell at Nhat Tao communal house in Dong Ngac ward, Bac Tu Liem district
Nhat Tao bell was cast with the upper part tapered and the bottom broadened. On the bell handle, two animal-shaped blocks (like Ly Thu) were made embossed, leaning back against each other, and bending to form the bell hanging knob. Each animal-shaped block has a big head, protruding eyes, straight horns, mane coating its head, scaly body, legs and mouth resting on the top of the bell, creating a firm position for the bell. The handle cap is a round flat knob, protruding from the handle but not in wine-gourd shape like the later designs. The bell has a flat top, narrow shoulders, cylindrical body, flared and bevelled mouth, and thick wall. The bell body is separated by 5 horizontal and vertical embossed lines, forming 8 cells (4 vertical trapezoid cells on the upper part, and 4 rectangular cells on the lower part). Located in the middle of the above 5 embossed lines are 4 round percussion knobs (to ring the bell) like 4 blooming flowers each with 12 petals. On the upper part of the outside of the bell is engraved with Chinese characters covering all 4 trapezoid cells and the space between the vertical embossed lines.
Meaning of the bell design:
On April 29, 948 (Earth Monkey year with Can Hoa name, in Ha Tu Liem village, Giao Chi district, the disciples of Vo Phap Mon, including the commune head Do Phap Dao, commune deputy head Kim Huyen Ky, commune magistrate Ly Dao Vinh, commune cadre Ly Huyen Thao, chief executive Tran Huyen Dam, clerk Tran Phap Tuyen, and other people Tran Tien Cao, Do Phap Tinh, Ly Kha Dao, Ly Te Co, Ly Thu So, Dai Duc Do Tien Lieu, Ngu Tien Huu, Ly Tien Tho, Tran Kha Loi, Ngu Tien Huu, Phung Thua Tu, Tran Ngan Ung, Ly Thieu Vi, Phi Khuong Nhan, etc. from Taoism and Confucianism received the finished painting “Thai Thuong tam ton” after employing others to paint it, using their pooled funds since 944 (Dragon year). In the subsequent year, they made 6 precious Buddhist pennons and held a party to celebrate. After that they made the valuable bell, weighing 15kg. Do Phap Dao followed the laws of heaven and earth to show their gratitude and gain benefits. They also asked for blessings to the people. A record was made at the end of the party.
The elders in Nhat Tao Communal House Management Sub-committee and the ancient bell
Having very specific writing, the bell is a real and meaningful source of data for research and understanding of Vietnamese society during the autonomy time. Moreover, the writing on the bell in 948 is an extremely important and valuable record, helping us learn about the history of village/commune, religion, especially Taoism in the spiritual life of Vietnamese people in the 10th century. The writing is the first and unique material showing the parallel relationship between Taoism and Buddhism, forming the ideology of Taoism – Buddhism – Confucianism in the spiritual life of the Vietnamese people in Ly – Tran dynasty.
The writing on the bell also tells us that a commune-village-district administrative organization appeared quite early in our country, along with the Taoist titles in the 10th century.
Nhat Tao bell is an invaluable antique of Thang Long – Hanoi in particular and of Vietnam in general. The bell was also introduced in many scientific studies on Vietnamese culture and history. With the above-mentioned special values, Nhat Tao Bell deserves to be recognized by the Prime Minister as a national treasure./.
Ha Phuong