Linh Phuoc Pagoda is located about 9km from the center of Da Lat city, on National Highway 20, in Trai Mat, Ward 11. The pagoda was started construction in 1949 and completed in 1951. By 1990, the pagoda was redesigned and rebuilt under the direction of Superior Monk Thich Tam Vi – the Fifth Abbot – and the contribution of Buddhists everywhere. The pagoda has an area of about 36,000m2, including many structures such as the main hall, bell tower, stupa, library, triple gate, corridor, flower garden, lotus pond…
The special and outstanding feature of Linh Phuoc Pagoda is that all structures are decorated with ceramic fragments, pottery, bottles, dishes… collected from households and restaurants. The broken pieces are cut, assembled, glued, and painted meticulously and skillfully, creating beautiful and meaningful patterns. It is estimated that about 12 million ceramic pieces were used to build Linh Phuoc Pagoda, creating a unique pagoda in Vietnam. Therefore, the pagoda is also called Ve Chai Pagoda or Ceramic Pagoda.
In addition, Linh Phuoc Pagoda is also famous for many national and world records for architectural structures and Buddha statues. Some notable records include:
- The tallest stupa in Vietnam and the world, 37m high, with 7 floors, each floor has 12 windows, on top is a copper lotus weighing 8.5 tons. Inside the stupa contains Buddha relics and many Buddhist treasures.
- The largest Great Bell in Vietnam, weighing 8.5 tons, cast from 200,000 aluminum cans, 2.33m in diameter, 3.07m high. On the Great Bell are carved 108 lotus flowers, symbolizing the 108 sufferings in life.
- The tallest Buddha statue made of reinforced concrete in Vietnam, 18m high, weighing 200 tons, 4.8m long hand, 0.6m long eye. The Buddha statue is covered by 650kg of gold leaf, shining brightly in the pagoda campus.
- The largest Bodhidharma statue made of wood in Vietnam, 5.1m high, weighing 1.5 tons, carved from solid ironwood. The statue is placed in the pagoda’s library, where thousands of precious Buddhist books are kept.
- The largest Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva statue made of immortal flowers in the world, 17m high, made from 650,000 immortal flowers imported from Japan. The statue is placed in a large area of 3,000m2, with a lotus pond, glass bridge, flower garden…
Linh Phuoc Pagoda is not only an attractive tourist destination for its artistic beauty and impressive records, but also a place that embodies the spiritual and cultural values of the Vietnamese people. The pagoda is a place where people express their gratitude and respect for their ancestors, the country, and the Dharma. The pagoda is also a place to propagate the doctrines of karma, compassion, wisdom of Buddhism to everyone. When coming to Linh Phuoc Pagoda, visitors can visit, admire, take photos, pray, light incense, meditate… to seek peace and happiness in life.
Linh Phuoc Pagoda is a must-visit destination when coming to Da Lat. The pagoda is not only a unique and beautiful architectural work, but also a symbol of the rich culture and religion of the Vietnamese people. Come and experience Linh Phuoc Pagoda to feel the majesty and sanctity of this pagoda.
