If you choose spiritual tourism in Da Lat, you definitely cannot miss Van Hanh Zen Monastery. This is one of the two most famous Zen monasteries in the city of a thousand flowers. Visitors coming to the monastery not only pray for peace but also admire the unique architecture and peaceful atmosphere. You can admire the full scenery of the dreamy tourist city of Da Lat at the foot of the Zen Monastery. Let's explore the content of the article below with HDV Local.
Contact information for Van Hanh Zen Monastery Da Lat
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Address |
No. 39 Phu Dong Thien Vuong Street, Ward 8, Da Lat City, Lam Dong Province |
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Opening hours |
All day |
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Admission fee |
Free |
Directions to Van Hanh Zen Monastery Da Lat
The Zen monastery is located at: No. 39 Phu Dong Thien Vuong Street, Ward 8, Da Lat City, Lam Dong Province. The monastery is located in the city center, about 3.6 km from Da Lat market.
From Da Lat market, follow Ba Huyen Thanh Quan Street, then turn into Dinh Tien Hoang Street. Continue to Phu Dong Thien Vuong Street (before the five-way intersection of the University), go straight until the middle of the road, you will encounter a slope. Turn left in the middle of the road, and you will see the welcome gate of Van Hanh Zen Monastery Da Lat.
In addition to the route I guided above, there are also many other routes leading to the monastery. Please see the other routes below.
A brief introduction to Van Hanh Zen Monastery in Da Lat
History of Van Hanh Zen Monastery
It is the first Zen monastery, one of the prominent tourist attractions in Da Lat. Established in 1952, it was named Niem Phat Duong Dong Thanh. After more than 40 years of construction and development, in 1992, Van Hanh Pagoda was officially renamed Van Hanh Zen Monastery.
In November 1994, the groundbreaking ceremony took place for the construction and renovation of the main and auxiliary items of Van Hanh Zen Monastery. On April 14, 2002, the ceremony to cast the concrete and cement statue, 24m high and weighing over 60 tons, took place. Today, the statue is golden, symbolizing Van Hanh Zen Monastery and Da Lat Buddhism in general.
This is one of the two oldest Zen monasteries in Da Lat. Together with Truc Lam Zen Monastery, they are two characteristic symbols of Da Lat's spiritual culture. Van Hanh Zen Monastery is a spiritual tourism destination in Da Lat and a popular sightseeing spot for many tourists visiting Da Lat.
Exploring the grounds of Van Hanh Zen Monastery
Entrance to Van Hanh Zen Monastery
The entrance to the monastery is designed in the style of ancient imperial palaces. The entrance gate consists of three entrances and the gate roof has two floors. Please note that when entering the gate, you should use the two side entrances, not the main entrance.
The top of the gate is also decorated with phoenix motifs, which is a typical image of ancient architecture. The gate of Van Hanh Zen Monastery in Da Lat is entirely made of wood and has many floral patterns.
The largest Buddha Shakyamuni statue in Da Lat
The monastery grounds are designed with many structures and landscapes that bring many emotions to visitors. The most special is the statue of "Buddha Shakyamuni smiling with a flower."
The statue is 24m high, 20m wide, with its right hand holding a lotus flower, a very unique image in Zen Buddhism called "niêm hoa vi tiếu" (smiling while holding a flower). The Buddha statue is erected on a large lotus platform, at the foot of which is a miniature mountain. Inside the lion's head, there is a cave with images of monks meditating.
In addition to some of the above structures, the monastery grounds also have many auxiliary structures such as the Lumbini Garden, the statue of Avalokiteshvara appearing on the lion's peak, and the statue of Maitreya Bodhisattva.
Interior of Van Hanh Zen Monastery
The main hall is the first meditation hall in the monastery, a magnificent and grand architectural work. The roof of the main hall is decorated with many dragon and phoenix motifs, which are distinctive symbols of Buddhism.
The area in front of the main hall is adorned with many miniature bonsai landscapes, creating a solemn and sacred atmosphere in the main hall.
Stepping inside the worship area, you will encounter the majestic statue of Shakyamuni Buddha. Surrounding the Buddha statue are images of flying dragons, creating a solemn atmosphere for the statue.
Inside the main hall, there are also many statues depicting the life story of Shakyamuni Buddha, from his birth until his nirvana. There are also other Buddha statues, including: Manjushri Bodhisattva, Maitreya Bodhisattva, Bodhidharma Bodhisattva, and Cundi Bodhisattva.
The design of the Zen monastery combines two styles: contemporary and ancient, harmoniously blended together.
Van Hanh Zen Monastery Museum
Currently, when you visit the Zen monastery, you can also explore the museum area. This place preserves the traces of years and the history of the monastery's development. If you are a history enthusiast, this is definitely not a bad choice. The museum stores ancient artifacts including: bronze bells, bronze chimes, marble statues, and many other artifacts.
Frequently Asked Questions about Van Hanh Zen Monastery Da Lat
Where is Van Hanh Zen Monastery Da Lat located?
Van Hanh Zen Monastery is located at No. 39 Phu Dong Thien Vuong Street, Ward 8, Da Lat City, Lam Dong Province. Situated in the city center, Van Hanh Zen Monastery is about 3.6 km from Da Lat market, taking approximately 10 minutes by motorbike.
Does Van Hanh Zen Monastery charge an admission fee?
Van Hanh Zen Monastery offers free admission for Buddhists, so you can feel at ease visiting and worshipping Buddha.
Conclusion
Above is some information about Van Hanh Zen Monastery, one of the two most famous and largest Zen monasteries in Da Lat. HDV Local wishes you a wonderful trip to Da Lat.