Bao An Pagoda Stele, stone, Ly dynasty, 12th century AD., An Hoach commune, Dong Son district, Thanh Hoa province
Bao An Pagoda Stele, stone, Ly dynasty, 12th century AD., An Hoach commune, Dong Son district, Thanh Hoa province .
This is one of the oldest Vietnamese steles (dating from the Ly Dynasty) which exist today. The upper part is in a semi-circular shape. The body is carved with Chinese characters in standard style which records the construction of the Bao An pagoda in An Hoach commune, Dong Son district, Thanh Hoa province, under the supervision of the high-ranking mandarin Ly Thuong Kiet, with support from Thanh Hoa’s pious devotees. The Buddhist belief of the Vietnamese noble class in this period is demonstrated by the existence of this stele and another: Linh Xung Pagoda Stele, which was part of another pagoda constructed under the supervision of Ly Thuong Kiet in Thanh Hoa.