Vientiane: The event was attended by Mr. Sompasong Suvongkhamchan, Vice Chairman of the Vientiane Provincial Administrative Committee, along with representatives from provincial and district offices, monks and novices, local authorities, community members, and students.
According to Lao News Agency, during the ceremony, Mr. Phaikeo Luangaphai, President of the Lao Front for National Construction in Lingsan Village, presented the history of the Samsy Buddha and its significance to the community. He said Lingsan Village has 301 households with a population of 1,588, mostly lowland Lao who practice Buddhism alongside traditional beliefs. Villagers mainly engage in farming and animal husbandry while preserving ancient cultural heritage sites and long-standing traditions.
The Samsy Buddha statue has long been revered as the guardian of Lingsan Village, according to village history. The statue stands 56 centimeters high, with a lap width of 37 centimeters and a shoulder width of 21 centimeters, and rests on a base measuring 23.5 centimeters in height and 51 centimeters in width. It is crafted from a rare alloy of bronze, brass, silver, gold, and precious gemstones, giving it a distinctive and radiant appearance.
The Samsy Buddha is regarded as an outstanding example of authentic Lao artistry, believed to have been created with deep devotion by master craftsmen during the era of the Lan Xang Kingdom.
Speaking at the ceremony, Ms. Kongkeo Khamphan, Head of the Village Development and Management Group, said the recognition of the Samsy Buddha as national heritage is a great source of pride for the people of Ban Lingsan, Thoulakhom District, and Vientiane Province. She added that the designation is expected to promote cultural tourism linked to the natural landscape of the Nam Ngum River.
The ceremony concluded with a procession carrying the Samsy Buddha statue into the temple and around the sim, accompanied by traditional cultural performances and group dances by students from Lingsan Primary School and Thinkham Secondary School.