28 September 2007 (Vietnam Net Bridge) – A Buddhist and a Hindu statue, both from different dates, have been excavated from the Dong Nai province in Vietnam.
Ancient stone statues discovered in Dong Nai
Two ancient stone statues which are believed to date back to between the 6th-12th centuries have been unearthed in Bien Hoa City in southern Dong Nai Province.
The first undamaged sandstone statue was identified as a Avalokitesvara piece, 70.2cm high and carved in a standing position.
It was believed to be made in the pre-Angkor or in the post Oc Eo culture style and dates back to between the 7th-8th centuries.
According to archeologists, the statue is similar to five other statues discovered in the southeast and Mekong Delta regions recently.
The second find is a 21cm-high statue of the Hindu god Vishnu and probably has its origin somewhere between the 10th-12th centuries.
Vishnu is one of the principal Hindu deities, who is worshiped as the protector and preserver of the world and the restorer of moral order.
The statues are currently being preserved at the provincial museum for further research.
Related Books:
– Art & Archaeology of Fu Nan by J. C. Khoo
– Buddhist Art: Form & Meaning by P. Pal
– Hindu-Buddhist Art Of Vietnam: Treasures From Champa by E. Guillon
– The Buddhist World of Southeast Asia (Suny Series in Religion) by D. K. Swearer
– Khmer Sculpture and the Angkor Civilization by M. Giteau
