VietNamNet Bridge – Police in the northern province of Hung Yen’s Van Lam District have found an ancient Buddha statue that was stolen nearly two months ago from Phap Van Pagoda.

The ancient Budda statue has been returned to Phap Van Pagoda in the northern province of Hung Yen’s Van Lam District after nearly two months. — Photos vietnamnet.vn

The precious 700-year-old statue was returned to the pagoda immediately following last weekend’s arrest and decision to prosecute Do The Toi (54, from Van Lam District), Pham Van Tung (45, from Cam Giang District), Nguyen Van Lan (56) and Do Tien Sinh (51, from My Hao District).

Toi, Tung and Lan confessed their involvement in the theft and said they had planned to sell the statue for a profit.

This is not the first time the pagoda has been targeted by thieves.

Another statue, made of precious opaque wood, was stolen in a past incident. It is 80 cm tall and weighs nearly 100 kg.

Thieves also broke into the pagoda and took two ancient incense burners.

Buddhist Thich Quang Hoa, head of Phap Van Pagoda, said the thieves who broke into the pagoda in August intended to steal two ancient Buddha statues, each weighing hundreds of kilos. But the statues were so heavy that the thieves had to leave one behind.

The district police said they were still expanding the investigation. 

The site of the mid-August theft.

Source: VNS