On the morning of March 22, 2022, at the relic cluster of Ba Tam pagoda – temple of Queen Mother Y Lan (Duong Xa commune, Gia Lam district, Hanoi), a ceremony to celebrate the 959th anniversary of Queen Mother Y Lan’s coronation (1063-2022) took place; announce the decision on recognition of national treasures: The two stone lion statues of the Ly dynasty and the gilded wooden altar of the Mac dynasty; inaugurate technical infrastructure of Ba Tam Pagoda – Queen Mother Y Lan Temple.
Attending the ceremony were Ms. Ha Thi Nga, Member of the Party Central Committee, Chairman of the Vietnam Women’s Union; Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Thuy – Standing Vice Chairman of Hanoi Women’s Union; Ms. Tran Thi Van Anh – Deputy Director of Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports; Mr. Truong Van Hoc – Member of the Standing Board of the District Party Committee, Vice Chairman of Gia Lam District People’s Committee and representatives of Duong Xa Commune’s leaders.
Deputy Director of the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports Tran Thi Van Anh handing over the decision to recognize the pair of stone lion statues of the Ly dynasty and the gilded wooden altar of the Mac dynasty at Ba Tam temple – pagoda relics as national treasures to the representative of Gia Lam district and Duong Xa commune’s leaders.
Ba Tam Pagoda built in 1115 is one of the famous relic clusters, which witnessed many important historical milestones of Thang Long – Hanoi and the country, recognized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as a national historical and cultural relic in 1996.
Ba Tam Pagoda is associated with the name, life and career of Queen Mother Y Lan (1044 – 1117) – the daughter of Thuan Thanh, Bac Ninh, now Duong Xa commune, Gia Lam district, Hanoi. Queen Mother Y Lan, whose real name is Le Thi Yen, came from a family that cultivated mulberries, raised silkworms, and weaved silk. She was famous for being a smart, beautiful, and gentle woman. She was the concubine of King Ly Thanh Tong and the mother of King Ly Nhan Tong. She was twice regent and had great merit in governing the country, contributing to the Ly dynasty’s prosperity. As a Buddhist, when she was Queen Mother Linh Nhan, she ordered the construction of many pagodas throughout the country. People worshiped and called Queen Mother Linh Nhan “Ba Tam” with the same meaning as Guan Yin – the embodiment of tolerance, virtue and good things. After her death (in 1117), people worshiped her in a temple in her hometown and called it Ba Tam pagoda.
Through many times of restoration, up to now, the cluster of relics of Ba Tam temple and pagoda still retains its pristine appearance with architectural features imbued with Ly Dynasty culture, having both profound historical significance and high artistic value. It is truly a unique and rare art work of the nation.
The pair of stone lion statues at Ba Tam pagoda
Ba Tam Pagoda still preserves many precious artifacts, typically a pair of stone lion statues from the Ly Dynasty (in the 12th century), and a gilded wooden temple in the Mac Dynasty (in the 16th century) recognized as a National treasures in accordance with Decision No. 88/QD-TTg dated January 15, 2020 of the Prime Minister. The pair of lion statues has the function of being pedestal for Buddha worship with large size (1.2m high; 1.36m wide) in a prostrate position, made from monolithic stone. The stone lion statues have the word “Vuong” on their foreheads, manes, and ears. Around their mouths, there are symbols of lightning and aura, showing the teaching power of Buddhism. The statues were made by Vietnamese people with flexible lines and a majestic yet gentle demeanor, worthy of being a masterpiece of art in the 12th century.
The gilded wooden altar is a unique original artifact, typical for the type of worship in temples and pagodas, representing the wood carving and gilding technique of our country in general and the Mac dynasty in particular. This is one of the three earliest known altars with art deco style, a typical product of traditional 16th-century gilding art, still almost intact after more than 400 years. The altar in the Ba Tam temple – pagoda is an artifact with a unique form, made in the style of an imperial court, like the form of a miniature architectural work, but it is quite detailed. This altar, in addition to its artistic value, also represents an architectural model of the Mac Dynasty, bringing traditional essence to the national art.
Delegates cutting the ribbon to inaugurate the technical infrastructure of Ba Tam Pagoda
At the ceremony, the delegates cut the ribbon to inaugurate the technical infrastructure of Ba Tam Pagoda with a total investment of VND 37 billion 838 million. The construction started from March 2020 including the following items: Renovating the infrastructure in the pagoda premises; expanding outside the old temple grounds (about 1.3 ha): building 02 parking lots; Building embankment and creating landscape of lotus pond; renovating and building 05 new roads for infrastructure connection; renovating and building a new system of drainage, trees and lighting; embellishing souvenir kiosks. By July 2021, the project had been completed, ensuring the design and quality. Currently, Gia Lam District People’s Committee is continuing to prepare a project file to restore and embellish the Main Temple with an estimated cost of about VND 12 billion.
Hoang Anh