Thích Ca Phật Đài is a famous Buddhist architectural complex not only in the coastal city of Vung Tau but also throughout Vietnam. The area is divided into the following pagodas and the Buddha garden located on the northern slope of Big Mountain (núi Lớn). The beauty of this complex resides in the union of religious architecture with landscape. The campus is shaped like a crescent moon, divided into three levels in a pyramid, ranging from 3m to 29m above sea level, attracting not only pilgrims but also tourists who come to admire the airy landscape from here.
The pagodas in the campus of Thích Ca Phật Đài
There are three pagodas on the campus: Thien Lam, Ho Phap, and Hoa Son. Thien Lam Pagoda is the main one, located at the campus entrance gate. From Tran Phu Street up the mountainside, the campus is divided into three levels: triple gates and a flower garden at the lowest level, the second level includes a number of auxiliary works, and the third level at the top includes Thien Lam pagoda and Buddha garden. Thien Lam Pagoda is a fairly simple pagoda, built around 1957, by a Vietnamese civil servant in the French colonial government, to practice after retiring.
The main hall of Thien Lam is decorated but still exudes solemnity. In the middle of the altar is a statue of Shakyamuni Buddha meditating (1.2 m high), with another small statue in front. On both sides, there are two statues of Shakyamuni Buddha holding alms bowls (1.2 m high).
Second one is Ho Phap Pagoda, built in 1970, location next to the Dharma Protector Zen Hall.
And the last one is Hoa Son Pagoda, which was built in 1969 by the late Venerable Thich Hue Chon (1943 – 2019). It is still a small, simple, but elegant pagoda.
Buddha garden
The main statue of Gautama Buddha sitting on a large lotus blossom is the most prominent work in the garden. This white-colored statue was cast in reinforced concrete, surrounded by foliage that resembles a jungle and heavily populated by birds. The statue is 11.6 meters high and can be seen from far away, which is why it has become a major tourist attraction in the city.
Along the path from the main gate to the pagoda, there are many statues depicting important events in Gautama Buddha’s life.
Near the top of the hill, there is a bodhi tree that was brought to Vietnam in 1960 by the Venerable Narada Maha Thera from Sri Lanka.
Another attractive structure is the Octagonal tower, 19 meters high, surrounded by four large peaks in each direction, and inside, 13 Buddha relics are placed in a golden box. Each site contains soil from four of the holiest Buddhist sites in ancient India: Lumbini, Bodh Gaya, Sarnath, and Kushinagar. The entrance to the stupa is decorated with a dragon image, flanked by pairs of lions.
In the Buddha statue complex here, there is also a statue of Buddha entering Nirvana, 2.4 m high (from the shoulders down), 12.2 m long, placed on a 4.2 m high cement pedestal. In front, there are four statues of Bhikkhus with their hands clasped in reverence. Behind them are five statues of Bhikkhus sitting with their hands clasped, facing the Buddha.
The octagonal house is a work of elegant architecture, with a Buddha statue seated on a lotus at the top. Inside the octagonal house, there is an altar with statues of the first five Buddhist monks listening to a sermon in Sarnath.
Due to its perfect location, from Thích Ca Phật Đài, visitors can enjoy the panoramic view of Vũng Tàu as well as Bến Đá port with countless ships and feel the fresh air of the sea.
Useful information Thích Ca Phật Đài
- Location: 608 Tran Phu, Vung Tau Ward.
- Best for: Family, couple, solo
- Entrance: Free
- Opening Hours: Daily 04:00 – 18:00
- Other tourist spots nearby: Nghinh Phong cape, Hồ Mây tourist area, Long Hải beach…
Source: collected by An
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