CERAMIC TOWER OF TRO PAGODA, PHU THO - A NATIONAL TREASURE

CERAMIC TOWER OF TRO PAGODA, PHU THO - A NATIONAL TREASURE The "Buddhist Scriptures Without Words" with 468 Buddha images PART 1. COLD OPENING – THE TOWER RETURNS FROM MEMORY In 1954… amidst the smoke and fire of war, Tro Pagoda – the ancient temple known as Dai Phuc Tu – ceased to exist. The roof collapsed. Many precious artifacts were lost. And people thought that the memory of the ancient temple had also vanished forever. But amidst those losses, parts of a ceramic pagoda silently continued to exist. It passed through water, mud, war, and oblivion… only to be rediscovered, cherished, and preserved by the people until today. A masterpiece created from earth and fire more than seven centuries ago. A pagoda with eleven structural levels; four sides facing four directions; Thirty-six arched doorways; a world of patterns, mythical creatures, and Buddhist images present in layers upon layers. Through direct surveying and 3D scanning technology, a unique structure has been identified: each side of the pagoda has one hundred and seventeen Buddhist images. One hundred and seventeen multiplied by four sides equals four hundred and sixty-eight Buddhist images. Are these numbers merely a coincidence? Or did the ancient Vietnamese people imbue the pagoda with a profound ideology about time, reincarnation, and the path to enlightenment? Today, we will together unwrap each layer of the code… to reread a “Buddhist scripture without words” that has existed for over seven hundred years. PART 2. THE ENCOUNTER WITH A NATIONAL TREASURE Before us is the glazed ceramic pagoda of Tro Pagoda – one of the most special artifacts of Vietnamese ceramics and Buddhist art during the Tran Dynasty. The pagoda originates from Tro Pagoda, whose official name is Dai Phuc Tu, in the Dan Tru area, now Tam Hong commune, Phu Tho province. The pagoda is approximately 1.45 meters tall, with a base about 50 centimeters wide on each side, and weighs about 130 kilograms. It is not a single, solid piece, but a miniature structure composed of many terracotta components, shaped, glazed, fired, and assembled in a strict order. The pagoda's surface displays three characteristic glaze colors: turquoise, white, and brown. Over seven centuries, the glaze has faded, losing its initial brilliance. However, the areas of glaze buildup, streaks, dark spots, and chips serve as authentic evidence of time. At first glance, viewers might be captivated by the pagoda's towering form and layered roofs. But upon closer inspection, the intricate details on the pagoda's structure begin to reveal themselves. It's not just decorative patterns. Each section contains an image, a rhythm, and a part of the Buddhist world of thought that the ancients embedded in the terracotta. The value of the stupa therefore lies not only in its age. It also lies in its ability to preserve the architectural thinking, ceramic techniques, art, and spiritual life of Dai Viet in a single artifact. To understand why the stupa could reach such a level, we must go back to the era in which it was created..... So that in the future, when another generation stands before this tower, they will not only see an artifact that has existed for over seven hundred years. They will also see their roots – and understand that heritage is only truly immortal when it is continued to be told by people.... Video produced by Kieu Duc Thuong – Woodworking and Heritage Restoration Artist – Head of Communications Committee of the Vietnam Craft Village Association.... Dear viewers, As my English proficiency is still limited, the English narration in this video was produced with the assistance of artificial intelligence. Although the content has been carefully reviewed, there may still be inaccuracies in pronunciation, translation, terminology, or expression. I sincerely apologize for any errors and kindly ask for your understanding. Your constructive comments and corrections are warmly welcomed, as they will help me improve the accuracy of future videos and better introduce Vietnam’s national treasures and cultural heritage to international audiences. Thank you very much for watching, supporting, and sharing this journey of preserving and promoting Vietnamese cultural heritage. Respectfully, Kiều Đức Thưởng Woodcraft and Heritage Restoration Artisan Head of the Communications Committee Vietnam Craft Village Association