Restoration of Dong Duong Buddhist Monastery gate
(QNO) - An Indian group of 5 experts is expected to go to Dong Duong Buddhist Monastery at the end of June 2023, preparing for the restoration of its gate.
Earlier, on April 26, 2023, a group of experts from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) had a survey, making an initial assessment of the current situation, proposing the plans for the conservation and restoration of Dong Duong Buddhist Monastery.
Accordingly, the restoration of Dong Duong Buddhist Monastery starts at its gate system, including 1 main and 2 auxiliary gates.
The main gate is an architectural complex, equivalent to 4 Cham towers, which will be the highlight of the Buddhist monastery.
It is considered a typical symbol of Vietnam- India cultural exchange, and a mark of Buddhism in the ancient Kingdom of Champa and in medieval Southeast Asia.
Two auxiliary gates are smaller, separating monk’s quarters from the lecture hall and the presbytery.
Dong Duong Buddhist Monastery was built by King Indravarman II (the Kingdom of Champa) in 875 to worship Bodhisattva Laksmindra- Lokesvara, who protected the kingdom.
In the early years of the 20th century, hundreds of precious sculptures were unearthed and are mostly displayed at the Cham Museum in Da Nang city.
In particular, there is an over-one-metre-high bronze Buddha statue which is considered a perfect artistic masterpiece in Champa sculpture in Southeast Asia.
According to H.Pramentier’s survey conducted in 1902, Dong Duong Buddhist Monastery, including the presbytery, temples and towers, was distributed on an axis from West to East, about 1,300m long.
Dong Duong Buddhist Monastery was recognised as a special national monument in December 2019.