On Sunday, a group of 34 Buddhist monks from Japan’s Todaiji Temple, led by the head of the temple, Superior Buddhist monk Sagawa Fumon, visited Da Nang’s Quan The Am Pagoda in Ngu Hanh Son District.

The bronze statue (middle)

The visiting monks donated a bronze statue of the 11-faced Avalositesvara Bodhisattva to the Pagoda.

The 88cm-high bronze sculpture is a replica of the original one in Japan, and it weights 33kg.  It was created by Mizushima Iwane who is a Japanese sculptor from the Todaiji Temple.  

The original statue was brought to the Todaiji Temple by Indian Buddhist scholar and monk Bodhisena between 704 and 760 AD.

Head of the Quan The Am Pagoda, Most Venerable Thich Hue Vinh, said that the special and valuable gift from Todaiji Temple carries a spiritual message and it will play a vital role in boosting bilateral cooperation with Japan.

Over the past 6 years, representatives from the Todaiji Temple have visited the Quan The Am Pagoda 3 times.  In addition, many exchange programmes between the 2 venues have been held to promote their bilateral, long-lasting Buddhist relationship. 

Situated in Nara Prefecture in Japan’s Kansai region, the Todaiji Temple is the largest wooden building of its kind in the world.  A wide range of valuable rare Buddhist antiques are kept at the temple, including ancient bronze statues and intricate Buddhist carved works which reflect the typical Japanese wooden sculpture arts.