Articles Discovery on the cycling road Lifestyle Mr Old Man DONG DUONG BUDDHIST MONASTERY – A SPECIAL NATIONAL HERITAGE SITE By Mr Old Man Posted on May 1, 2025 6 min read 0 0 23 Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Google+ Share on Reddit Share on Pinterest Share on Linkedin Share on Tumblr By Mr. Old Man Where History and Ruins Whisper Stories of Champa Buddhism Located in Dong Duong village, Binh Dinh Bac commune, Thang Binh district, Quang Nam province, Dong Duong Monastery was recognized as a Special National Heritage Site by the Prime Minister of Vietnam on December 22, 2016. This site once housed the largest Buddhist monastery of the Champa Kingdom in the 9th century. Before visiting Dong Duong, it’s helpful to learn a bit about its history and sculpture style. Due to centuries of war, looting, and excavation, today only a single ruined temple supported by steel beams remains, along with traces of brick foundations from former structures. About a month before biking to the site, Mr. Old Man visited the Museum of Cham Sculpture in Da Nang and wrote a piece about it—highlighting the Dong Duong style and artifacts originating from this former Buddhist center. A Buddhist Monastery Built by Royal Decree According to ancient inscriptions, in 875 AD, King Indravarman II of Champa ordered the construction of a Buddhist monastery and a temple dedicated to the Bodhisattva Laksmindra Lokesvara Svabhayada (a form of Avalokitesvara) as a protector of the dynasty. During his reign, the capital was relocated from Panduranga to Amaravati, with the new city of Indrapura established where Dong Duong village is now located. In 1901, French scholar L. Finot announced the discovery of 229 artifacts at Dong Duong, including a 108-cm bronze statue influenced by Indian art. The following year, H. Parmentier led an excavation and found the main architectural complex of the sanctuary along with many valuable sculptures. Laksmindra Lokesvara Svabhayada Bronze Statue Altar with Buddha Sakyamuni, Dharma protector, Laksmindra Lookesvara Svabhayada What Remains of the Sacred Complex Parmentier described the layout as stretching along a 1,300-meter east-west axis. The central temple compound measured 236 by 155 meters, enclosed by brick walls, and was connected by a 760-meter path to a rectangular valley to the east. Eastern Group: Thought to be the Buddhist Vihara, or monastery hall. Its rectangular layout featured two rows of eight brick columns intricately carved with human figures and floral patterns. A large seated Buddha statue, resembling a Champa king on a throne, once sat on the altar. Middle Group: Only brick wall traces and stairways remain. This hall had multiple windows, tiled roofs, and entrances at both ends. Four 2-meter-tall Dvarapala (guardian) statues found here are considered iconic examples of Champa sculpture. Western Group: This area contains the main temple and surrounding towers. The temple’s base is square with richly decorated entrances, featuring curling vine motifs typical of the Dong Duong style. The sandstone altar depicts royal court scenes and episodes from the life of Buddha. In 1978, locals unearthed a 114-cm bronze statue of a goddess near the main temple—identified as the original Laksmindra Lokesvara once placed on the altar. Legacy of a Lost Buddhist Center Dong Duong’s sculptures reflect the flourishing of Mahayana Buddhism in Champa. While influenced by Chinese, Indian, and neighboring cultures, the architecture and artwork possess distinct local characteristics, creating a powerful and unique Champa aesthetic. Artifacts now displayed at the Cham Museum in Da Nang offer a glimpse of the former grandeur of this sacred site. Though only ruins remain above ground, the land beneath Dong Duong likely still hides many cultural treasures awaiting discovery and interpretation. —– Mr. Old Man, January 2022