Long Doi Son Pagoda dates back to the Ly Dynasty, its Chinese name is Dien Linh Tu (Dien Linh Pagoda), located on the top of Doi Mountain in Tien Son Commune, Duy Tien Town, Ha Nam Province.
This ancient pagoda preserves many valuable historical artifacts, including the National Treasure of the Diamond Statues. The statues consist of 6 statues carved in a standing position, life-size, and made of monolithic, gray stone (sandstone). Each statue weighs about 2,000kg.
Mr. Do Van Hien - Director of Ha Nam Provincial Museum - said that over time, due to the impact of war and nature, these 6 statues have been damaged, but their current condition is relatively intact. The statues have the appearance of a martial artist, a calm and resolute demeanor, a kind face, standing solemnly. The statues hold swords in front of their stomachs, and on their armor are carved many-petaled flowers, creating the feeling that the whole body of the statue is breathing.
Each statue is crafted in a relief style on a rectangular block of stone with two straight sides, the lower edge is flat, and the upper edge is beveled at a 45 degree angle.
The national treasure, the Kim Cuong statue set, is a unique original artifact, the most typical and complete Buddhist sculpture remaining in the Ly Dynasty pagoda to this day. In addition, the treasure also contains many messages about the historical, cultural and aesthetic values of the Vietnamese people under this dynasty.
