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The Truc Lam Bach Ma Zen Monastery, located in Hue Vietnam, is a place where visitors can comfortably admire the ancient features of Buddhist construction, look at the elegant and pure patterns and motifs. The temple also has a subtle scent of incense with melodious meditation bells to help visitors feel peaceful and truly relaxing.
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1. Introduction to the Truc Lam Bach Ma Zen Monastery
- Location: Loc Hoa commune, Phu Loc district, Thua Thien Hue province
- Opening hours: 6:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Ticket price: 60,000 VND/person
Truc Lam Bach Ma Zen Monastery is located in the middle of Truoi Lake, right on Linh Son Mountain. Not only is it a Zen monastery of Truc Lam Yen Tu in the south-central coast, but it is also a famous viewpoint in Hue.
Zen master Thuong Thanh Ha Tu is the founder of Truc Lam Hue Zen Monastery. This is the first Zen Monastery in the central region originated from the Truc Lam Yen Tu Buddhist zen.
At the top of the Zen Monastery, you will see the shimmering and fanciful lake like a giant jade mirror, illuminating the enchanting scenery of clouds and sky. Just go down to the marina then pass through after 172 steps, you will reach the main gate of the monastery. Visiting Truc Lam Bach Ma, you will freely experience the peaceful atmosphere in the middle of fairyland, temporarily escaping the busy life.
Being considered one of the first Zen monasteries in the central region, Truc Lam Bach Ma offers visitors a feeling of escape from the real world. Atop of Bach Ma mountain, with the white clouds covered most times of year, the scene blurred like a fairyland.
2. How to get to Truc Lam Bach Ma Zen Monastery?
From the city centre, go south for about 30 km, you will meet the Truoi Bridge. The right side will be the path to the Truoi Dam. From the marina, take a boat to the Zen Monastery. The road to Zen Monastery is relatively convenient because it is only about 10 km from National Highway 1A, about 35 km from downtown Hue, and about 65 km from Da Nang city.
Although the road is not too difficult, to get to the gate of Zen Monastery, you have to take a boat for about 15 minutes. You do not need to worry because the pier is always equipped with life jackets and safety measures for visitors.
3. When to visit Truc Lam Bach Ma Zen Monastery?
If you want to explore Hue and visit the Zen Monastery, you should choose the sunny days of summer. During this time, you will have the opportunity to experience the fresh air of the sacred place on the Bach Ma mountain range.
In addition, if you come here in the winter, you will experience moments of quietly drinking tea, watching drizzle and fog. This is one of the very special experiences for tourists. Don't forget to bring somewhat heavy clothes, suitable scarves and waterproof jackets so you don't get wet and cold.
4. What can be discovered around the Zen monastery of Truc Lam Bach Ma?
4.1. The fascinating scenery of the countryside
Going to the end of the slope in the middle of the hill, Zen Monastery gradually appears as a vivid picture of nature with undulating mountains, flowers adorning the green background of trees. Below, the murmur of the stream sounds like forest music combined with the sound of birds. One feels lost in the poetic nature.
In 1932, a French man discovered Truoi lake and Bach Ma Mountain. But not until 1945, people began to build the town of Bach Ma with about 140 luxury villas influenced by French architecture. In addition, this area is also built with so much public infrastructure to serve people's life such as: post office, road, school, station, market, ...
After the war, this place seemed to have sunk into oblivion, everything seemed to exist only in the memories of the Hue people. Today, however, Bach Ma is gradually reviving with a new look. Especially the tourist area of Truc Lam Bach Ma Zen Monastery, which seems to add vitality to this spiritual land.
4.2. A perfect place for meditation
The monastery complex is divided into three main areas: outer part, inner part for monks and part for nuns. This was built as a huge complex but still retains the natural beauty in the middle of the Truoi Lake, settled in Bach Ma mountain range.
In addition, you can also see the giant statue of Shakyamuni Buddha sitting in front of the Buddhist temple. This masterpiece has left a very deep impression on tourists from all corners by its position in the middle of a sacred scene.
The statue is made of stone, stands up to 24 metres tall and weighs 1,500 tons. In addition, there are architectural works of the Zen Monastery located on the other side of the lake, hidden in the smoky haze surrounded by a very dreamy cloud of adventure.
Beyond the outer area of the complex is the main shrine. This place worships the Buddha sitting under the Bodhi tree. Behind the main hall is the worship area of Dat Ma. The monastery is a place of practice for Buddhists and monks, while there is another part that is a place for Buddhists and nuns.
The monastery is not only a place with beautiful poetic scenery and fresh air, but also a convergence of Buddhist art. From sophisticated decorative patterns to ancient pagoda roofs, even the bell tower here is designed in a Oriental architectural style, including 2 stories and 8 curved roofs.
It often takes about half a day or a full day to enjoy the experience in Truc Lam Bach Ma monastery. Therefore, you should arrange a reasonable schedule to explore Hue. Visiting a sacred place like this, you need to dress properly, without short skirts and shorts. Please maintain the hygiene and quiet atmosphere in the Buddhist temple premises.
Izitour hopes the information about Truc Lam Bach Ma Zen Monastery will be useful for your Hue trip. Happy travelling!
To see more about Hue:
>> The Mausoleum of Emperor Tu Duc - the Most Beautiful Mausoleum in Hue
>> Best Food in Hue : Exploring the Rich Flavorful Delights of Central Vietnam
