Linh Thang Pagoda is one of the centers of Lâm Đồng Buddhism. The pagoda has been preserved and maintained intact to this day, attracting many Buddhists from near and far. Currently, Linh Thang Pagoda serves as the headquarters of the Buddhist Representative Board of Di Linh District, Lâm Đồng Province.
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Introduction to Linh Thang Pagoda, Di Linh, Da Lat
Where is Linh Thang Pagoda, Da Lat?
- Address: 89, Thống Nhất Street, Di Linh Town, Lâm Đồng
- Opening hours: 6 AM - 5 PM
- Ticket price: Free
Directions to Linh Thang Pagoda, Da Lat
From the center of Da Lat tourist city, you go down Prenn Pass, past the toll booth, then from Da Lat, go straight on National Highway 20 to Đức Trọng district, then to Di Linh district, and you will reach Thống Nhất asphalt road, right in the center of Di Linh town.
What makes Linh Thang Pagoda in Di Linh special?
History of Linh Thang Pagoda in Di Linh
Linh Thang Pagoda was initially a rudimentary thatched-roof, wooden-walled Buddhist meditation hall. It was founded in 1933 by Messrs. Trương Quang Thám and Huỳnh Duyên Quỳ, who rallied tea and coffee farmers to donate and build it.
In 1940, the pagoda became a facility of the An Nam Buddhist Association of Đồng Nai Thượng province. Later, the pagoda was considered the only pagoda on the Di Jing plateau, which people often called Di Linh Pagoda. In 1943, the pagoda was built for the first time with a tiled roof and brick walls on a cement foundation.
In 1958, due to the local demand for religious activities, the Pagoda was moved to a new location, still near National Highway 20 today. The groundbreaking ceremony for the Pagoda was held on the morning of May 26, 1958, under the witness of Venerable Thượng tọa Mãn Giác, Thích Bích Nguyên, Thích Minh Cảnh, and others. From then on, the Pagoda was named Linh Thắng.
In 1962, the late Venerable Thích Chánh Trực went to Huế to propose rallying people to donate for casting a bronze statue of Đức Thế Tôn, 1.30 m tall and weighing 250kg. It was cast in Huế and brought to Linh Thắng Pagoda for worship, where it remains to this day.
In 2004, the Venerable and the Board of Guardians rallied the people to contribute to casting a 500kg bell (replacing the bell donated by the elderly Buddhist Hoàng Đình Kỳ to Hương Pagoda in 1955, which is now broken). The bell-casting ceremony began at 9 AM on February 27, 2004 (Lunar January 8, Year of the Monkey) in the courtyard of Linh Thang Pagoda, witnessed by the late Venerable Thích Thích Từ Mãn and other venerable monks and nuns.
The record of the "Western Pure Land Triad" statue set
The Western Pure Land Triad is the largest set of statues in Vietnam, carved from a thousand-year-old single mulberry wood block. It includes a 3.6-meter-tall statue of Amitābha Buddha in a meditative posture, holding an incense bowl in his left hand and extending his right hand to guide sentient beings to his realm; a 3.5-meter-tall statue of Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva, holding a vase of sweet dew and a willow branch in her right hand; and a 3.5-meter-tall statue of Mahāsthāmaprāpta Bodhisattva, holding a lotus flower in his left hand. The statues are currently enshrined at Linh Thang Pagoda.
With the approval of the local authorities, in 2007, the late Venerable Thích Thắng Phước brought the thousand-year-old mulberry tree to the temple. With the help of two artisans, Phạm Minh Khai and Lê Hoành Lợi, it took two full years to carve the set of statues.
According to Mr. Võ Văn Tường: The Western Pure Land Triad is considered a valuable work with high artistic merit, conveying the Buddhist humanistic philosophy of "compassion, joy, and equanimity" of the enlightened one. The statues are meticulously and elaborately crafted, worthy of preservation and protection.
It is known that after being "Certified as a Vietnamese Record," the Western Pure Land Triad statue set was listed in the collection "Vietnamese Records" published by the Vietnam Record Book Center and the Vietnam News Agency Publishing House, and also in the Vietnam Record Yearbook.
Tips for visiting Linh Thang Pagoda
- As it is a sacred place, please note a few things when visiting the pagoda.
- Wear appropriate attire for a temple, no short skirts or revealing clothes.
- Walk and speak softly, do not disturb the worship activities at the pagoda.
- Do not litter at the pagoda.
- Speak respectfully.
- Do not touch the Buddha statues or items being sold in the pagoda.
Conclusion
Concluding our journey of discovering Linh Thang Pagoda, we not only have the opportunity to admire the unique beauty of the pagoda's architecture but also to experience the peaceful and spiritual atmosphere here. Linh Thang Pagoda is not only a spiritual tourist destination but also a place to preserve and promote traditional cultural values. Come to the pagoda to feel the quiet atmosphere, listen to its rhythm, and find peace returning to your busy daily life. HDV Local wishes you the happiest and most enjoyable trip!