Truc Lam Zen Monastery in Da Lat ( Lam Dong province ) is a Zen monastery belonging to the Truc Lam Yen Tu Zen sect. Located 5 km from the old city center of Da Lat, it sits atop Phuong Hoang Mountain, above the picturesque Tuyen Lam Lake. It is not only the largest Zen monastery in Lam Dong province but also a popular destination for both domestic and international tourists and pilgrims.
The Zen monastery began construction in 1993 and was completed in 1994. The design was drawn by architects Vu Xuan Hung and Tran Duc Loc, with the participation of renowned architect Ngo Viet Thu, based on the design and planning ideas of Venerable Zen Master Thich Thanh Tu. The monastery is divided into four areas: the outer courtyard, the abbot's private quarters, the monks' quarters, and the nuns' quarters.
From above, Truc Lam Dalat Zen Monastery looks like a beautiful ink painting with its verdant mountains and lakes.
The monastery was founded by Venerable Thích Thanh Từ. The current abbot is Venerable Thích Thông Phương.
Viewed from above, the entire grounds of Truc Lam Dalat Zen Monastery are covered in lush green pine trees.
The space is airy and very quiet.
Truc Lam Dalat Zen Monastery is one of the three largest and most famous Zen monasteries in Vietnam, belonging to the Truc Lam Yen Tu Zen sect. It is also a familiar destination for Buddhists wishing to learn about Buddhism, as well as for pilgrims seeking healing and inner peace.
Rising from the direction of Tuyen Lam Lake is a steep path with 140 stone steps, flanked by towering, lush green pine trees, leading through three triple-arched gates to the main hall. The main hall covers an area of 192 square meters, with a simple yet profoundly meaningful Buddhist worship space inside.
In the center of the main hall stands a statue of Shakyamuni Buddha, approximately 2 meters tall, holding a lotus flower in his right hand, known as the "Shakyamuni Buddha Smiling at the Lotus Flower" statue (depicting the legend of "Smiling at the Lotus Flower"). The lotus flower is a symbolic representation of Buddhism. To the right of the Buddha is Bodhisattva Manjushri riding a lion. To the left is Bodhisattva Samantabhadra riding a white elephant with six tusks. Surrounding the main hall are bas-reliefs depicting the eight manifestations of the Buddha, and elaborately carved wooden panels and altars.
At its busiest times, the monastery has thousands of monks, nuns, and lay Buddhists studying meditation. This is currently the largest Zen Buddhist research and practice monastery in Vietnam, aiming to restore Vietnamese Zen Buddhism (which dates back to the Tran Dynasty). Each day, the monks meditate three times: 3:30-5:30, 2:30-4:30, and 7:30-9:30. The meditation activities are divided into two main areas.
Within the monastery grounds, the gracefully constructed buildings evoke a sense of peace and tranquility in visitors.
In particular, the monastery grows many fresh flowers to create a vibrant landscape.
Every day, thousands of domestic and international tourists come here to visit and admire the scenery.
The design and architecture here are simple but very well suited to the space. Most rooms have many windows to let in sunlight and natural breezes, creating a pleasant feeling.
The monastery's flower garden is one of the must-see attractions for visitors and a rare collection of exotic flowers. The flowers are cultivated by the monks and nuns, and there is a dedicated nursery and grafting area. The abbots bring the flower varieties from all over the world to cultivate them.
Many tourists beamed as they checked in at the monastery grounds.
Notably, the monastery houses a large stupa enshrining relics, as well as the relics of the Buddha Shakyamuni. The stupa is built in the shape of an inverted bowl, 19 meters high and 18 meters wide, with an interior width of 12 meters. On the outside, in four directions, are symbols representing the four sacred sites: the Buddha's birth, enlightenment, turning the wheel of Dharma, and his passing into Nirvana.
The top of the pagoda is gilded with gold.
The monastery doesn't organize retreats, but rather practices daily. Living in the present moment with mindfulness, self-reflection, and introspection, instead of seeking external things, one should examine oneself and not look for faults in others. Many Buddhists from both within and outside the country come here to learn and cultivate themselves.
Upon her first visit, Mia (a Russian tourist) said she really enjoyed the atmosphere and scenery. "It's so fresh and pleasant here. I feel so relaxed and wonderful being here," Mia said.
The messages left by our ancestors for future generations within the monastery serve as guidance for each individual to cultivate and improve themselves.
THIEN TRANG
Source: https://vtcnews.vn/ve-dep-tua-tranh-ve-cua-thien-vien-truc-lam-ben-ho-tuyen-lam-tho-mong-ar1002682.html
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