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Words written in ancient Champa language behind the statue haven’t been decoded. Photo LDO |
According to Du dia chi Binh Dinh (Binh Dinh Ancient Geography Book), Quy Nhon city has four island communes, including Nhon Hoi, Nhon Ly, Nhon Hai, and Nhon Chau, where vestiges of Cham culture were found.
In Hai Giang, an island of Nhon Hai commune, there is an old pagoda called Linh Phong. The locals only know that it has been existed for a very long time. In its central chamber locates a statue of Cham priest carved from a black rock.
Travel across the sea by…motorbike
In spite of being a city dweller, I didn’t have any chances to go to Nhon Hai to see the well-known statue. Only when the tide ebbs away could I travel along the beach by motorbike to come to the island.
Fortunately, I had a chance when a road running along the sea was built several years ago.
I came there on Sunday. I asked for directions to the house of my acquaintance, called Dang Thanh Dung, who is the secretary of commune’s Party Committee.
Visit the pagoda
Dung hired a motorboat and it took 30 minutes for us to travel to Hai Giang island where there is Linh Phong pagoda.
Hai Giang fishing village could be called an “oasis” for it is separated from the city by the sea and enclosed by the Phuong Mai mountain range. There are no cars, no motorbikes, and no bicycles on the island.
Hai Giang now has 125 households with about 496 residents. Most houses were built in front of the mountain range.
The locals are very kind and hospitable. When knowing that we wanted to visit the pagoda, everyone is eager to show us the way. Some teenagers guided us to the pagoda and then went to find the old man who were keeping the key of the pagoda.
Hai Giang is a small fishing village having an area of 120 hectares. It is expected to become an eco-tourism site in the future, according to the province’s planning.
Some local residents said their life hasn’t been stable for they are waiting for the resettlement. According to the local authority, all people on the island will be moved to live in another area of Phuong Mai peninsula.
Dung said the statue has been present at the pagoda for a long time, but it hasn’t attracted the province’s concern for the preservation.
There are no monks in the pagoda. Doan Nghiep, a 65-year-old man, was assigned to look after the pagoda. Those who want to visit the statue must see him.
We wondered why there aren’t any monks or locals looking after properties in the pagoda, particularly the statue.
The pagoda is located on the peak of the mountain, far away from residential area. There is no water, no power, and no money, so no one wants to live there permanently, Nghiep sadly said.
Secret of ancient statue
Archaeologists said the statue was carved from the rock of the mountain. It has the height of 0.82 metres and width of 0.46 metres.
The statue is in a sitting position with the left hand on the thigh and right hand holding a rosary. On the naked body there is only a piece of cloth crossed diagonally and a metal belt on its back.
The statue of priest was also carved with an oval face, a pointed chin, and a thick moustache. He wears a headpiece hat on which there is a line of words written in ancient Champa language. What’s more, three horizontal lines were carved on his forehead and he wears a bracelet on his arm.
There is a stone stele on its back. On the stele see 11 lines of words written in ancient Champa language. They haven’t been decoded so far.
Documents said that some fishermen on the island unearthed the statue when cultivating their land. It was then granted to the pagoda.
The statue is believed to be sacred because it was unearthed. The pagoda is, therefore, known as a hallowed place on the island.
The locals come to the pagoda to burn incenses, praying for help on the occasion of special events. They often use red powder to manually print out 11 lines of mysterious works behind the statue. They then hang a piece of paper with these printed words in their houses, aiming to expel demons.
Researchers may need much time and effort to know more about ancient heritage, including the statue. At present, it’s necessary to offer the best condition to the heritage preservation and restoration.
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