That is Thien An Pagoda, a temple built with Japanese-inspired architecture. The pagoda impresses tourists and locals alike because it sits atop a hill, surrounded on three sides by the vast ocean views of the famous Van Phong Bay. For many years, Venerable Thich Nguyen Quang, the abbot and former soldier of the Ho Chi Minh Army, has worked tirelessly to build and maintain the pagoda as it stands today.
The gentle smile of Venerable Thich Nguyen Quang, abbot of Thien An Pagoda.
Sharing with us, Venerable Thich Nguyen Quang (46 years old) said that the sea and islands have been deeply ingrained in his blood since childhood, because his house shared a fence with the Ly Son District Military Command (on Ly Son Island, Quang Ngai ). He spent more childhood meals with soldiers than at home. After finishing high school, he immediately joined the army, and after nearly four years in the military, he was sent for officer training. However, with a vow to become a monk, after leaving the army, he did not attend officer training like his comrades, but instead became a monk at Phuoc Loc Pagoda (Quang Ngai), and later studied at a Buddhist college.
Once, he visited his father on Bai Lon, a rather remote island in Van Ninh District ( Khanh Hoa Province ), where his father had been clearing land and cultivating Ly Son garlic since 1992. Knowing his son's determination to become a monk, his father gave him a portion of land to build a temple. The journey from the mainland to the island by boat took about two hours, making the transportation of building materials very difficult. Therefore, the temple at that time was mainly built of wood, with a thatched roof, and even the Buddha statues were made of wood… Due to its remote location, the temple only served a few hundred households on the island for cultural and spiritual activities; Buddhists from the mainland who wanted to worship faced many difficulties. Therefore, since 2013, the Khanh Hoa authorities have facilitated the relocation of the temple to its current location in Van Thanh commune.
From Thien An Pagoda, you can admire the panoramic view of Van Phong Bay with its clear blue sea water.
Thien An Pagoda, licensed for construction, covers an area of 300 m² within a 1.4-hectare compound. The pagoda boasts a stunning location, like a small island jutting out into the sea, embracing three sides of the year-round clear waters of Van Phong Bay. Many Buddhists who visit the pagoda say that it provides a place for the island community to engage in spiritual and cultural activities. Particularly during the devastating storm that hit Khanh Hoa in 2017, almost the entire village sought refuge here, as their houses were damaged, tilted, or collapsed. Furthermore, many philanthropists from within and outside the province often connect with the pagoda, sending warm gifts to the poor fishermen during the Lunar New Year.
Speaking about Venerable Thich Nguyen Quang, an 80-year-old Buddhist follower said that he not only devotes himself entirely to spiritual practice but also deeply loves the sea and islands of his homeland. Over the past two years, he has brought more than 100 Terminalia catappa trees from Ly Son to plant around the temple, and they are now thriving, with some even flowering. Remarkably, in recent years, Venerable Thich Nguyen Quang has expressed a desire to go to Truong Sa (Spratly Islands) to practice Buddhism for a period of time.
Visiting Thien An Pagoda these days, you'll find a large number of young people coming to admire the scenery, take photos, and enjoy vegetarian meals. From the pagoda's location, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the natural landscape on Van Phong Bay, allowing you to immerse yourself in the tranquility of the peaceful seascape.
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