21/11/2014
Records of Linh Phuoc Pagoda in Dalat
(Also called with another name is Dragon Pagoda)
Location
Linh Phuoc pagoda is located at 120 Tu Phuoc – Ward 11 which is in the northeast, 8km from the city center. Taking the train to Trai Mat to visit Linh Phuoc Pagoda in the chilly cold of the central highlands city of Da Lat is an exciting adventure for those who seek the sanctuary of a worshipping place and the unique architecture of Asian pagodas.
History of Linh Phuoc pagoda
Linh Phuoc Pagoda, also called Ve Chai Pagoda, was built from debris of glass, pottery bowls and porcelain between 1949 and 1952 in a remote residential area of Da Lat City. The pagoda has been led by many Buddhist monks and was renovated by Monk Thich Tam Vi in 1990.
The pagoda was built in 1949 and finished in 1952. It had being managed by 4 Buddhist monks, including Mr. Thich Minh The (1951 – 1954), Mr. Thich An Hoa (1954 – 1956), Mr. Thich Quang Phat (1956 – 1959) and Mr. Thich Minh Duc (1959 – 1985). Since 1985, Mr. Thich Tam Vi has managed this pagoda and it had a big restoration in 1990.
Overview of Linh Phuoc pagoda Dalat
The front of the pagoda is lined with meticulous sculptured pillars in the shape of flying dragons which were made from glass debris. A 4.8-meter-tall statue of the Buddha Sakyamuni is a striking work of art which sits between 12 glaze works in relief which respectfully illustrate the legend of the Buddha Sakyamuni.
Visitors can contemplate a 49-meter-long winding glaze dragon which stands near a pond. The scabs of dragon are made from 12,000 empty bottles, the head of dragon is 7m high. Here, at the Long Hoa Vien (Dragon Flower Park), tourists can sense the tranquility and the poetry of the nature and talent of human beings. In front of the sanctum, there is Da Bao tower with 27m height, is a seven-tiered-27-meter-tall-tower made from thousands of pieces of broken bowls. On two sides of the tower, bell and drum are put. In the tower, there are some statues of Quan The Am Bodhisattva. This is really the ideal place for visitors to learn more about Buddhism as each floor of the tower is for the worship of each of the gods and goddesses.
The second floor of the tower holds the largest bell in Central Vietnam, named Dai Hong Chung. The bell, 4.38 meters in height and 8,500 kilograms in weight, is carved in meticulous detail and includes the four words “Linh Phuoc Tu Chung”, statues of Buddha and sceneries of One Pillar Pagoda, Thien Mu Pagoda, Linh Phuoc Pagoda and Bo De Dao Trang Tower (India).
Almost tourists at the tower of pagoda will do this:
As the bell turns, it presents images of the four seasons. Tourists are advised to turn the bell to the season they are in, write their wishes on a piece of yellow paper, stick the piece of paper onto the bell and then chime the bell three times to send their prayers the Buddha. This is a sacred experience that should not be missed in the flower city.
