Linh Phuoc – the pagoda of records

This place of worship is decorated with thousands of pieces of porcelain and empty bottles.

Linh Phuoc pagoda is located at 120 Tu Phuoc, Ward 11 in the resort city of Da Lat, known as the pagoda of Vietnamese records.

Linh Phuoc is also called Ve Chai Pagoda, as it was built from debris of glass, pottery bowls and porcelain.

The pagoda was built in 1949 and finished in 1952. It was managed by four Buddhist monks, including Mr. Thich Minh The (1951 – 1954), Mr. Thich An Hoa (1954 – 1956), Mr. Thich Quang Phat (1956 – 1959) and Mr. Thich Minh Duc (1959 – 1985). Since 1985, Mr. Thich Tam Vi has managed this pagoda which was restored in 1990.

The front of the pagoda is lined with meticulous sculptured pillars in the shape of flying dragons which were made from glass debris. A 4.8-meter-tall statue of the Buddha Sakyamuni is a striking work of art which sits between 12 glaze works in relief which respectfully illustrate the legend of the Buddha Sakyamuni.

Visitors can contemplate a 49-meter-long winding glaze dragon which stands near a pond. The scabs of dragon are made from 12,000 empty bottles, and the head of dragon is 7m high. Here, at the Long Hoa Vien (Dragon Flower Park), tourists can sense the tranquility of nature and talent of human beings.

In front of the sanctum, there is Da Bao tower, a seven-tiered-27-meter-tall-tower made from thousands of pieces of broken bowls. On two sides of the tower are a bell and drum.

In the tower, there are statues of Quan The Am Bodhisattva. This is the ideal place for visitors to learn more about Buddhism as each floor of the tower is for the worship of each of the gods and goddesses.

The second floor of the tower holds the largest bell in Central Vietnam, named Dai Hong Chung. The bell, 4.38 meters in height and 8,500 kilograms in weight, is carved in meticulous detail and includes the four words “Linh Phuoc Tu Chung”, statues of Buddha and scenes of One Pillar Pagoda, Thien Mu Pagoda, Linh Phuoc Pagoda and Bo De Dao Trang Tower (India).

As the bell turns, it presents images of the four seasons. Tourists are advised to turn the bell to the season they are in, write their wishes on a piece of yellow paper, stick the piece of paper onto the bell and then ring the bell three times to send their prayers tonthe Buddha. This is a sacred experience that should not be missed in the flower city.

Sitting eight kilometers from the southern resort town of Da Lat, Linh Phuoc Pagoda is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the areas. Built from 1949 to 1953, the pagoda boasts a colorful appearance made up of tens of thousands of pieces of porcelain.

Though the materials used are only scrap, the craftsmanship involved in creating the décor is a match for any arts and crafts.

                                      The ancient bell on the first floor.

To the right of the pagoda is Hoa Long Vien Garden made noticeable thanks to a 49-meter-long dragon with scales made from empty beer cans and a Di Lac Buddha in its mouth.

The seven-storey Linh Thap Tower, covered in pieces of porcelain too, is also part of the Linh Phuoc Pagoda complex. By the tower is an 18-meter statue of the Goddess of Mercy woven from 700,000 golden everlasting flowers.

Inside lies a 8.5-ton 'Dai hong chung' bell, the biggest of its kind in Vietnam. Luck is said to go to those who write their names (and their loved one’s) on a strip of paper and stick it to the bell.

The Goddess of Mercy's shrine is a three-storey building next to the tower with its own statue made of steel-reinforced concrete at 17 meters high. Each floor holds 108 statuettes of the goddess.

                                          The exterior of the shrine.

          From here, the tower offers a vantage point looking over the whole pagoda.

Photos by Tuan Dao / VnExpress