Oc Eo National Treasure - Phu Nam: Explore Binh Hoa Buddha statue

Initial and unique

The statue of Buddha of Binh Hoa was discovered in early 1945 in the area north of Dong Thap Muoi, in Binh Hoa commune, Long An province. After being brought to the Saigon Museum (now the Ho Chi Minh City History Museum), the statue was dated to around the 3rd - 4th century AD, belonging to the Oc Eo culture, a brilliant culture of the Southern royal family. This is one of the oldest wooden statues not only in Vietnam but also in Southeast Asia. The statue has become a unique symbol, expressing the cultural exchange between India and Southeast Asia.

With an age of nearly 1,700 years, the Binh Hoa Buddha statue not only has historical value but is also an invaluable work of art, reflecting the Buddhist philosophy and creative talent of the ancient Phu Nam residents. The statue is 134 cm high, has a lotus pedestal diameter of 38cm, weighs 73kg and is made from lentil wood, a durable, flexible wood, popular in the Southern region. This wood material not only shows its closeness to nature but also reflects the creativity of the ancients in taking advantage of local resources to create works of art that last over time.

The Binh Hoa Buddha statue is carved in the Amaravati style, a prominent Buddhist art style in South India. The statue depicts Buddha standing on a lotus platform, an important symbol in Buddhism, expressing puree and enlightenment. The right hand of the statue is in the position of a blessing tray, the left hand is holding a flap of the shirt, the body of the shallot is on the left shoulder, leaving the right shoulder exposed.

The special feature of the statue is the small curled hair, the tip of the head has anusnisa - a symbol of intelligence and enlightenment. The face of the statue has a calm, sympathetic look with a wide forehead, closed eyes, a slender nose and a gentle smile. The body is expressed with a slender waist, a light belly, a flat shoulders and big, rough feet, but the whole exudes the grace, majesty and majesty of the Buddha.

Buddhist philosophy through sculpture

The Binh Hoa Buddha statue is not only a work of art but also a symbol of Buddhist philosophy. The Buddha's statue is based on 32 good generals and 80 beauty in the Buddha's book, expressing compassion, enlightenment and purity. Every detail on the statue, from standing, face to hand gesture, reflects the moral philosophy and the spirit of compassion of Buddhism. This statue is a unique, highly intact copy, rare in ancient Southeast Asian sculpture. This is one of the few wooden statues discovered in the Muoi Tower area - where harsh natural conditions such as flooding and silting often make it difficult for archaeological relics to be preserved. What is special is that while most Buddha statues in Southeast Asia are made of stone or metal, Binh Hoa statues are made of wood, showing the creativity and adaptation of Oc Eo residents to the natural conditions of the Southern land.

The Binh Hoa Buddha statue has many characteristics of the Amaravati style from South India, but at the same time also shows the unique creations of the ancient Phu Nam residents. For example, instead of a wavy but muscular coat like the original Amaravati style, the Binh Hoa statue has a thin coat, tightly covered with the body, clearly revealing the bear shirt over the belly and the legs are stretched. The combination of Amaravati style and local creations not only increases the uniqueness of the statue but also shows the reception and flexible transformation of foreign cultural elements of Phu Nam residents. This is a clear testament to the cultural exchange between India and Southeast Asia in the early AD.

After being discovered and brought to the Saigon Museum, the Binh Hoa Buddha statue has undergone many studies and assessments. In 2013, the statue was recognized as a National Treasure under Decision No. 2599/QD-TTg of the Prime Minister. This is a worthy recognition of the historical, cultural and artistic value of the statue. Today, the statue is preserved and on display at the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of History, becoming an important highlight, attracting the attention of researchers and domestic and foreign tourists.