Zen monastery with 1,500-ton Buddha statue hidden in Bach Ma mountain forest

Truc Lam Bach Ma Zen Monastery is located on Linh Son mountain in the middle of Truoi lake, at the foot of the Bach Ma mountain range, in Loc Hoa commune, Phu Loc district, Thua Thien Hue province.

Construction of the complex began in 2006 and was completed in 2008. Founded by Zen Master Thich Thanh Tu, it includes many components such as: the Buddha statue, the triple-arched gate, the ancestral hall, the main hall, the bell tower, the monks' quarters, and the nuns' quarters, etc.

Dr. Nguyen Thuy Loan (USA) once remarked: "Truc Lam Bach Ma Zen Monastery, situated in the heart of Truoi Lake, nestled against the Bach Ma mountain range, creates a picturesque natural landscape between mountains and lake."

Viewed from the rear, Truc Lam Bach Ma Zen Monastery is divided into two areas: the Buddha statue area and the cluster of buildings including the main hall, monks' quarters, and nuns' quarters, separated by a gorge. When the water level of Truoi Lake rises, this gorge will be flooded, creating a clear separation.

The monastery uses the high hill opposite as a screen, overlooking the peaceful and prosperous villages along the Truoi River, famously known as "the land of Truoi, sweet jackfruit and fragrant strawberries".

Built within a protected forest area with diverse biological resources, part of Bach Ma National Park, the monastery grounds boast a wide variety of trees and flowers that bloom year-round.

Located at an altitude of 1,450m above sea level, Bach Ma is a tranquil mountain forest with a cool, fresh climate, attracting a large number of pilgrims and tourists every year.

The natural forest trees and cultivated trees at Truc Lam Bach Ma Zen Monastery are bearing abundant fruit.

Truc Lam Bach Ma Zen Monastery has also successfully researched and cultivated many valuable medicinal herbs.

To reach Truc Lam Bach Ma Zen Monastery, visitors must cross Truoi Lake by tourist boat.

From the ferry dock, visitors must continue along a steep path or climb 174 steps, passing through the triple-arched gate to enter the main hall of the Zen monastery.

The 24-meter-high, 1,500-ton stone statue of Buddha stands in front of the Zen monastery.

A representative from the unit managing and operating tourism transportation on Truoi Lake stated that ticket sales for visiting the Truc Lam Bach Ma Zen Monastery are only conducted from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM daily.

After this time, the unit will no longer organize tours to the Zen Monastery so that the monks have a quiet space to practice chanting and meditation.

During the recent April 30th holiday, the renovation and upgrading of the tourist road connecting National Highway 1A to Truc Lam Bach Ma Zen Monastery, spanning over 5.5km, was completed and put into operation.

The project is part of the investment and construction project for tourism infrastructure development, supporting comprehensive growth in the Greater Mekong Subregion – Phase 2, Thua Thien Hue component project in Phu Loc district, with a total construction cost of nearly 57 billion VND.

Location of Truc Lam Bach Ma Zen Monastery on the map (Photo taken from Google Maps).

The Truoi Reservoir (Loc Hoa commune, Phu Loc district, Thua Thien Hue province) was constructed starting in 1996. It features a spillway nearly 50m high, covers an area of ​​approximately 380 hectares, has a reservoir capacity of up to 60 million m3, and a total investment of nearly 340 billion VND.

This is one of the large and important irrigation reservoirs, helping to provide drainage water for approximately 400 hectares of agricultural land and industrial production activities in the southern part of Thua Thien Hue province.

The four main streams that flow into the lake are: Vung Thung stream, Hop Hai stream, Ba Trai stream, and Ong Vien stream, all originating from the Bach Ma mountain range.

Truoi Lake is located approximately 32km south of Hue city center.

In 2019, Truoi Lake and Truc Lam Bach Ma Zen Monastery were recognized as tourist destinations with unique natural and spiritual cultural value. Every year, an estimated 50,000 domestic and international tourists visit for pilgrimage, sightseeing, and strolling around the lake.

Dantri.com.vn

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/du-lich/thien-vien-co-tuong-phat-nang-1500-tan-an-minh-giua-nui-rung-bach-ma-20240811114253978.htm