Truc Lam Zen Monastery in Da Lat is a famous spiritual tourist destination with poetic scenery, friendly mountains and waters, and a peaceful and tranquil atmosphere. It is one of the largest Zen monasteries in Vietnam, and attracts visitors with its beautiful and unique architecture, as well as its picturesque surroundings of overlapping mountains and the dreamy blue Tuyen Lam Lake.
Truc Lam Zen Monastery is located on Phung Hoang Hill, 7km away from the center of Da Lat city, in Ward 3 of Da Lat city, on Tran Thanh Tong Street.
The monastery is one of the three largest Zen monasteries in Vietnam, belonging to the Truc Lam Yen Tu Zen tradition, with an area of up to 30 hectares. Both sides of the road leading to the monastery are surrounded by vast pine forests, lush green hills, and a serene lake that harmonizes with the solemn sound of the monastery’s bells, helping visitors to let go of all worries and find a gentle and pure feeling. This place is also notable for its cable car system that runs straight from the foot of Prenn Pass up to the monastery.
When you come here, you will be able to enjoy the impressive and unique architecture, as well as make a pilgrimage, learn about Buddhism, and pray for good things for yourself and your loved ones.
History of Truc Lam Zen Monastery
According to the records left, on a beautiful day in 1986 while sleeping and dreaming. Venerable Thich Thanh Tu found himself hugging the neck of a phoenix and flying high into the sky. Then he got up and reflected on the dream he had just dreamed. He thought that Da Lat is a place with a cool and fresh climate that is really suitable as a meeting place for monks and nuns.
A few days later, he immediately sketched the entire monastery after surveying Phung Hoang Mountain. When he arrived at Tuyen Lam Lake area, he was very satisfied. We Buddhists therefore immediately agreed to his will to carry out the procedures for land grant. He is also the one who conceived the idea, planned the monastery and is currently also the abbot of Truc Lam Dalat Monastery!
Truc Lam Zen Monastery was built on April 8th, 1993 and completed on February 8th, 1994, starting its first Zen meditation session. This is a pilgrimage site, as well as the largest place for studying and practicing Zen Buddhism in Vietnam.
How to get to Truc Lam Zen Monastery
From the center of Da Lat city, you can easily reach Truc Lam Zen Monastery by car, motorbike, taxi, or experience the cable car route from Robin Hill to the Monastery.
As the monastery is only 5 kilometers away from the city center, it is easy for you to get here by car, taxi, or motorbike. Heading towards Da Lat market, you will cross the Ong Dao bridge, then turn left onto Tran Quoc Toan street and go straight towards 3 Thang 4 street, passing over the Prenn Pass. On the way, you will see a sign indicating the way to Phung Hoang Mountain. At the intersection, turn right onto Truc Lam Yen Tu street, and continue for about 2km until you reach the entrance of Truc Lam Da Lat Zen Monastery.
Moreover, if you want to admire the breathtaking panoramic view of Truc Lam Buddhist Monastery and Tuyen Lam Lake from above, you can take a unique cable car ride from Robin Hill to the Monastery.
To take this ride, you can get to Robin Hill, buy a cable car ticket, and get to Truc Lam Zen Monastery after a 2-kilometer journey full of impressive natural views.
Discover the architecture of Truc Lam Zen Monastery
Truc Lam Da Lat Zen Monastery is surrounded by mountains and forests, overlooking the peaceful and gentle Tuyen Lam Lake all year round.
Truc Lam Da Lat Zen Monastery includes four main areas: the Head Monk’s area, the Inner Monk’s area for monks, the Inner Monk’s area for nuns, and the Outer Monk’s area. Most of the constructions here are made of wood and have a deep brown tone, creating a classical and traditional atmosphere in architecture.
The external area:
The monastery is located on a high hill surrounded by a vast pine forest. Opposite the Zen Monastery is Tuyen Lam Lake, which is green and fresh with cool air and a quiet space that makes everyone flutter.
From Tuyen Lam Lake, you will have to go through a steep road with 140 stone steps, flanked by soaring pine trees leading through three three gates to enter the main hall.
The meditation center also has a vibrant flower garden consisting of many precious flowers which have made the meditation center more colorful and beautiful.
There is also the Lake of Mindfulness here, which is home to many types of fish and ornamental turtles. Visitors can take a break at the stone benches or rest huts to admire the scenery, enjoy the fresh air, and find peace for their soul.
The main temple area:
The Main Hall has an area of 192m2 and houses the statue of the Buddha Sakyamuni, also known as Shakyamuni, who is 2m high and holds a lotus flower in his right hand according to the “Nien Hoa Vi Tieu” iconography of Buddhism. On either side of the statue are the murals of the Bodhisattva Manjusri riding a lion and the Bodhisattva Samantabhadra riding a six-tusked white elephant. Above the Main Hall, there are exquisite bas-reliefs depicting the eight great disciples of the Buddha Shakyamuni.
The Main Hall is the most sacred place in the temple. The statue is designed to be grand and magnificent, and holding a lotus flower in his hand, symbolizing purity and clarity. To the right of the Main Hall is the statue of Bodhisattva Samantabhadra, and to the left is the statue of Bodhisattva Manjusri.
On the top of the main hall, there are exquisite relief carvings depicting the 8 manifestations of Lord Buddha. To the left of Lord Buddha Shakyamuni, there is a statue of Bodhisattva Samantabhadra riding a white six-tusked elephant, while to the right is a statue of Bodhisattva Manjusri riding a lion.
The bell tower is built on the right of the main hall, intricately adorned with a great bronze bell weighing about 1.1 tons, attracting visitors with its delicate carvings. Next to it is a relief sculpture bearing deep meaning in Buddhism.
The space in the two main areas:
The two main areas of the Zen Monastery are the outer monastery and the inner monastery. In the outer hospital area, there are many kinds of trees, so the scenery is very beautiful, this place has a fresh and cool space that is very suitable for sightseeing and meditation.
The internal hospital area will be divided into: Sangha, meditation hall, beggar meditation area, … designed very carefully and eye-catching. It is a place where you can admire the beauty of unique architecture with a touch of Eastern Buddhism.
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If you visit Da Lat, you must visit Truc Lam Zen Monastery, a famous Buddhist site in Da Lat. Here, you will feel calm, peaceful, and be able to immerse yourself in nature and fresh air. Leave behind the hustle and bustle of daily life and meditate to find inner peace.
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