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Thich Ca Phat Dai
Thich Ca Phat Dai (Platform of Shakyamuni Buddha) is a notable Theravada Buddhist temple. It lies to the northwest of the Lon (Big) Mountain and was built between 1961 and 1963.
It is set on a plot of around five hectares, with a Zen Buddhist monastery at the foot of the plot and the Thich Ca Phat Dai at the top.
The Zen monastery is a small brick temple built by a government official in Vung Tau in 1957. In 1961, the Buddhist association organized a renovation of the monastery and decided to build the Thich Ca Phat Dai further up the mountain. Additional lodgings were built to cater to Buddhist pilgrims who visit the site.
This pagoda exists exclusively for religious worship, unique in its white cement construction of the giant statue of Gautama Buddha sitting on a large lotus blossom. The grounds are dense with foliage, resembling a jungle and heavily populated by birds.
The white color of the statue and the stupa contrasts with the blue and green background of the surrounding sky and forest. The site has become a major tourist location in the city as well as a tourist lookout.
The pagoda also has a 17m-high Blessing tower, where there is a yellow box containing 13 Blessing spheres of true practitioners. Under the tower are four peaks, which means that the ground is where the Buddha was born.
Quan The Am Bo Tat
Quan The Am Bo Tat (Pagoda of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva) is located on Tran Phu Street, about 500 meters from Bai Dau.
Built in 1976, the highlight of this pagoda is a giant white Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva Statue located at the middle of the pagoda’s campus. The Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva stands on a lotus with a kindly and virtuous face and the Cam Lo pot in the hand looking to the sea. The pagoda is one of the most famous destinations for many pilgrimages to this beautiful city.
Behind the pagoda is the mountain, in front is the sea. The pagoda is always an attraction for holidays and monthly full moon days.
Everyday, the pagoda attracts many tourists to visit and worship, especially onfull moon days. If having the opportunity to visit Ba Ria – Vung Tau, you should not miss a tour of visiting Quan Am Pagoda, to be able to find an oasis of calm, and dispel fatigue and worries of daily life. Moreover, you can discover the beauty of culture and tradition here.
Niet Ban Tinh Xa
Niet Ban Tinh Xa (Nirvana Vihara) is situated on the slopes of Mount Small on Ha Long road, Vung Tau City.
Nirvana Vihara Pagoda is one of the most beautiful Buddhist temples in Vung Tau where the traditional architecture and the modern combine harmoniously.
It is also known for the 12m long Nirvana Buddha statue located in the main hall of the pagoda, placed on the 2.5 m high altar. The outer surface of the altar is the image of disciples witnessing Buddha attaining Nirvana.
Seeing the open and pure space, facing the vast ocean, and surrounded by woods, from the rooftop of the pagodavisitors can admire the blue sea of Vung Tau with boats on the far side of the horizon.
Linh Son Co Tu
Located on Hoang Hoa Tham Street in downtown Vung Tau, Linh Son is the oldest pagoda in Vung Tau.
The main hall of the pagoda worships a 1.2 m high Buddha statue made of stone, gilded with gold on the outside. The details of the statue were created meticulously. Based on the way the statue was crafted, the origin of the statue was identified to date back to 1,600 years, by the ancient Champa.
Visiting the temple on weekdays, people are free to fall into the peaceful and quiet world and get rid of all troubles and worries of daily life. Visitors can also study the architecture of the ancient pagoda.
Chon Khong Monastery
The monastery was built in 1969. It is located at an altitude of 80 meters on the slopes of Big Mountain.
The temple is a complex of many works, such as the main tower, the main hall, the bell tower, the meditation hall, the nuns’ hall and the guest house, supported by majestic mountain backgrounds.
To reach the monastery, tourists have to climb on a high slope. The two sides of the road are ancient trees. The entrance is located midway of the slope. Passing the gate, tourists can see the main hall far away, in a peaceful atmosphere.
Truc Lam Chan Nguyen Monastery
Located at the foot of the Minh Dam Mountain, in Phuoc Hai Town, Vung Tau, Truc Lam Chan Nguyen Monastery is only one kilometer away from Hai Long pass. The monastery has a cherry blossom forest which is very beautiful in spring.
With the quiet space for meditation and magnificent nature, the scene in Truc Lam Chan Khong Monastery can mesmerize anyone who step into this majestic and poetic heaven on earth. This is where the soul can reach true peace, and all of that is mixed with the blue of the sea and the sky and the green of the forest behind.
Highlighting the green of the mountains and forest is the main hall. Behind the pagoda are rocks of many shapes such as snakes, tortoise… in the traditional colors of Buddhism.
The special feature of the pagoda is the existence of hundreds of monkeys on the grounds. For that reason, the temple is also called Chua Khi (Monkey Pagoda). Travelers often bring fruit and food for the monkeys who are friendly.
Compiled by Pha Le
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