At a centuries-old temple in Hau Giang, a majestic horse statue has stood untouched for over 60 years under the care of a solitary monk.
A centuries-old temple, maintained by a single monk, has earned acclaim for its legendary Xich Tho horse statue. Despite being over 60 years old, the statue retains its vibrant color without any restoration.
Gia Lam Co Tu Temple was built in an Indian architectural style. Photo: T.T
Located beside National Highway 1A in Nga Bay City, Hau Giang Province, Gia Lam Co Tu Temple spans more than 2,300 square meters. It was established in 1940 by monk Thich Hue Duc. The temple venerates Buddha, Guan Yu (Quan Cong), and other deities, reflecting strong Indian architectural influences.
According to the current abbot, monk Thich Hue Sanh (77 years old), the temple was initially named Quan Thanh De Temple. In 1970, its name was changed to Gia Lam Co Tu.
“I entered the temple when I was eight years old. Nearly 40 years ago, after the passing of Thich Hue Duc, I assumed responsibility for the temple and have been its sole caretaker ever since,” said monk Thich Hue Sanh.
Monk Thich Hue Sanh has single-handedly cared for the temple. Photo: T.T
In its early days, the temple housed around 50 statues. Today, that number has grown to 180, including large sculptures such as a 14-meter-long reclining Shakyamuni Buddha and a 12-meter-tall statue of Avalokitesvara (Quan Am).
The main hall features statues of Guan Yu, the Eighteen Arhats (Thap Bat La Han), the Thousand-Armed Thousand-Eyed Avalokitesvara, and the Jade Emperor (Ngoc Hoang). Each statue, donated by Buddhist devotees and carved by artisans, carries a story rooted in Buddhist teachings.
Each statue tells a story connected to Buddhist teachings. Photo: T.T
Photo: T.T
One of the temple’s most famed features is the Xich Tho horse statue, located on the right side of the courtyard. Towering and majestic, the sculpture appears as if ready to charge into battle.
Monk Thich Hue Sanh recounted that in early 1963, a woman made a donation of 1 million VND - equivalent at the time to roughly 50 taels of gold (about 120,000 USD today) - to fund the creation of a horse statue for Guan Yu.
The abbot then commissioned Ba Dem, a renowned local artisan, to sculpt the statue. Ba Dem agreed for a fee of 1 million VND.
The statue was completed in one month. It stands about 3 meters tall and over 2 meters long, crafted from cement mixed with colored pigments and reinforced with a steel frame.
Xich Tho horse statue at Gia Lam Co Tu Temple. Photo: T.T
“Ba Dem even sculpted all the internal organs and placed them inside the horse’s belly before sealing it. Uniquely, the statue features four tufts of hair - called ‘tu ma de’ - which is rare for horse statues. Each year, the statue is cleaned only once during the full moon of the tenth lunar month,” the monk said.
More than 60 years have passed, yet the statue’s color remains vivid and untouched by restoration. No one has ever dared move or alter its position.
“Visitors from across the country are always in awe, often calling the Xich Tho horse statue a masterpiece unmatched by any other temple,” said monk Thich Hue Sanh.
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