Truc Lam Monastery of Da Lat is a wonderful destination for those seeking tranquility and peace amidst the beautiful nature of the Da Lat highlands. With its unique architecture and traditional Zen style, Truc Lam Monastery offers visitors a tranquil setting and an opportunity to learn about Zen spirituality and rituals. Let’s explore this monastery in the article that follows with Vietdreamtravel!
Overview of Truc Lam Monastery of Da Lat
Truc Lam Monastery belongs to the Truc Lam Zen sect, also known as Truc Lam Yen Tu, and is currently one of the largest monasteries in Vietnam. Not only does it boast a harmonious natural landscape that attracts many visitors, but Truc Lam Monastery is also a favorite destination for pilgrims and scholars seeking to learn about Buddhism, the spirit of Vietnamese Zen Buddhism during the Tran Dynasty, and the path of spiritual practice.
Truc Lam Zen Monastery in Da Lat is a stunning architectural masterpiece located on the majestic Phuong Hoang mountain, facing directly towards Da Lat’s center. Surrounded by vast pine forests, lush green hills, and a tranquil lake, the serene atmosphere, along with the melodious sound of temple bells, helps you shed all your worries and find peace and serenity.
a view of the pagoda from Tuyen Lam Lake
With an area of 24 hectares, Truc Lam Monastery is the largest Zen monastery in Lam Dong province and one of the three largest Truc Lam Zen monasteries in Vietnam. Furthermore, the monastery is a continuously popular spiritual tourist destination in Dalat, thanks to its cable car system that connects directly from the foot of Prenn Pass to the monastery and its rare flower garden with unique varieties.
Cable car to Truc Lam Monastery
In addition, at the foot of the monastery lies Tuyen Lam Lake, where you can rent a small boat to cruise around the lake, fully appreciating the peaceful scenery and escaping the hustle and bustle of the world.
Another interesting feature is that Truc Lam Zen Monastery is also ready to welcome guests who wish to stay for a few days to meditate and rediscover themselves after the stresses of city life. They will be accommodated at a guesthouse halfway up the hill, living and eating like monks and nuns in a temple. With its beautiful location and peaceful atmosphere, Truc Lam Zen Monastery in Da Lat is always on Da Lat’s list of most popular tourist attractions.
How to Get to Truc Lam Zen Monastery from Da Lat Center?
Truc Lam Monastery is located on Truc Lam Yen Tu Street, Xuan Huong-Da Lat Ward. To get to Truc Lam Zen Monastery, you can travel by private vehicle or rent a car. The road from Da Lat center to Truc Lam Monastery is quite close and easy to navigate. Passing through lush green roads and majestic mountain ranges, you will admire the beautiful natural scenery and breathe in the fresh air.
Additionally, choosing to travel by cable car offers many interesting experiences. After arriving at Robin Hill in the Da Lat Cable Car Tourist Area, you can take the cable car straight past Truc Lam Zen Monastery. The more than 2km journey gives you the opportunity to admire the panoramic view of Da Lat from above, with its vast, lush green pine forests.
The Da Lat cable car station operates from 9 am to 16 pm every day of the week with the following reference ticket prices:
- Round-trip ticket: 150,000 VND/adult; 120,000 VND/child under 1.2m
- One-way ticket: 120,000 VND/adult; 100,000 VND/child under 1.2m
Unique architecture of Truc Lam Zen Monastery in Da Lat
Construction began in 1993 and was completed in 1994. The design was drawn by architects Vu Xuan Hung and Tran Duc Loc, with the participation of the renowned architect Ngo Viet Thu (who designed the Independence Palace, Ho Chi Minh City), based on the design and planning ideas of Venerable Zen Master Thich Thanh Tu.
The temple is located on a 24-hectare plot of land. Of the 24 hectares, 2 hectares are occupied by buildings, divided into two areas: domestic and public. The domestic area is closed to the public. There are two domestic quarters, one for monks and one for nuns. Each domestic quarter has two sangha meeting rooms, a meditation hall, a kitchen, a dining room, and a shed.
The public quarters consist of a ceremonial hall, flanked by the bell tower on the right and guest facilities on the left. From Tuyen Lam Lake, you’ll have to climb a steep path with 140 stone steps, flanked by towering pine trees, leading through three triple-arched gates to reach the main ceremonial hall. This is the ideal time to get some exercise and deeply feel the “path to Buddhahood” with each step.
The main ceremonial hall covers approximately 192 square meters and houses a majestic 2-meter-tall statue of the Buddha Shakyamuni, with his right hand raised in the Zen Buddhist gesture of the “Flower Sermon”. On either side are paintings of Bodhisattva Manjushri riding a lion and Bodhisattva Samantabhadra riding a white elephant with six tusks. Above the main hall hang elaborate bas-reliefs depicting the eight stages of the Buddha Shakyamuni’s enlightenment.
Inside the main ceremonial hall
The bell tower, built to the right of the main ceremonial hall, is exquisitely carved and houses a large bronze bell weighing approximately 1.1 tons, captivating visitors with its delicate carvings. Beside it is a bas-relief with profound Buddhist significance.
a giant bell in the pagoda
Visitors are generally not allowed to take photos inside the main ceremonial hall; instead, you can freely pose in the flower garden within the monastery grounds. If you’re visiting Truc Lam Zen Monastery in Da Lat, you absolutely cannot miss this special flower garden. The garden is the brainchild of monks, nuns, and Buddhist followers, featuring many beautiful flower varieties brought from abroad, cultivated, and grafted to create stunning floral displays.
Passing through the flower garden, you can descend to Tinh Tam Lake, home to many types of fish and ornamental turtles. Stop at the stone benches or gazebos to admire the scenery, enjoy the fresh air, and find inner peace.
a view of Tuyen Lam Lake from the pagoda
From the main ceremonial hall, you can look down at Tuyen Lam Lake; the scenery here is beautiful, with the clear blue water reflecting the pine trees on Thanh Luong Hill.
Source: collected by An
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