LINH UNG Pagoda – BAI BUT

Linh Ung Pagoda, where prayers ascend,

Son Tra Bai But, where spirits blend.

Linh Ung Pagoda is situated in the area of Bai But, Son Tra Peninsula, located 10 km northeast of the city center of Da Nang, established by the deceased venerable monk Thich Thien Nguyen. The pagoda's construction commenced on July 4, 2004 (June 19, 2004 in the lunar calendar) and was opened on July 30, 2010 (June 19, 2010 in the lunar calendar). The Pagoda offers a panorama of Da Nang, resting on a sturdy base amidst expansive scenery. Mountains loom behind it, while the sea stretches out in front, revealing a unique natural splendor seldom found in other pagodas.

Son Tra stands firm, a guardian's stance,
Upon the vast expanse of Eastern sea
A vista vast, where thoughts roam free
Islands rise like words in silent speech,
Hai Van Pass, its wings divine.
Nowhere else holds such a geographic grace,
Where mountains meet seas in a seamless embrace.

In the past, this land was a wild area with lots of trees, rugged hills, and rocks. The establishment of the Pagoda as it stands today required immense dedication and toil, as stated by Thich Thien Nguyen: "Opening the way up with strenuous effort, Clearing the land with unwavering resolve". Legend has it that during the Nguyen Dynasty, fishermen discovered a Buddha statue in the sand on this coast one misty morning. They respectfully brought it back and built a shrine.They called this place Bai But (Buddha Beach). From then on, the sea here became calm, and the villagers prospered. According to Thich Thien Nguyen, after the VietNam war ended, he passed by this area by boat and was captivated by the beautiful and poetic scenery of Son Tra on a quiet evening:

Amidst the lofty peaks, clouds gently twine,
Where waves caress hills, a rhythm divine.
The sky meets the sea in a boundless spree,
And forests whisper tales, a verdant decree.

Combining history and landscape, Thich Thien Nguyen expressed his aspiration to establish a thriving Gia Lam scene here in the future, and his wish finally came true. Following the completion of Linh Ung Pagoda in the Ba Na tourist area, the Da Nang City People's Committee allocated land for the construction of a pagoda in this location. The Linh Ung-Bai But Pagoda complex was constructed on a 20-hectare land area, comprising significant structures such as the Main Hall, Monks' Quarters, Lecture Hall, Guest House, Bell Tower, Library, Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva Statue, Xa Loi Tower, Nirvana Buddha Statue, as well as the Ty Ni Garden and Loc Uyen Garden.

At the Tam Quan Gate, 18 solemn Arhats are arranged in two rows on either side of the entrance to the Main Hall. The Main Hall serves as a place of solemn worship, with the statue of Sakyamuni Buddha positioned at the center, flanked by Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva on the right and Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva on the left, accompanied by the four Heavenly Kings. The most distinctive and prominent feature of this architectural complex is the Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva Statue, a spiritually artistic structure that draws the most spiritual, intellectual, and talented individuals. Originally planned to be 32 meters high, it stands at 67 meters upon completion, with a diameter of 35 meters, signifying the monumental scale and the immensely challenging renovation and reinforcement efforts. This Avalokitesvara statue is considered the tallest in Southeast Asia, recognized by UNESCO. Inside the statue, there are 12 floors, each with an altar; the ground floor worships Amitabha Buddha, Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, and Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, while the upper floors worship the 12 manifestations of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, each with distinct facial expressions and postures, with the top floor honoring the seven past Buddhas.

A crucial aspect of building the statue was the emphasis by Thich Thien Nguyen and artisans like Thuy Lam on how to imbue the statue with the compassion and benevolence of Avalokitesvara, manifesting joy and salvation for all sentient beings. The statue stands with its back against the mountain, facing the sea, with eyes brimming with compassion, offering boundless empathy to all sentient beings submerged in suffering. Since the construction and consecration of the sacred statue, it has witnessed 13 appearances of divine light. The first appearance was at 11 a.m. on August 16, 2008, during construction, when divine light unexpectedly appeared and lasted for a long time. Today, at Phuong Truong (now the memorial house of Thich Thien Nguyen's foundation), rare images of this phenomenon are still preserved. The
landscape of the main pagoda area combined with the Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva statue creates a panoramic, sacred, serene, and solemn picture. To create this beautiful scene, one can see the dedication and substantial investment and effort of Thich Thien Nguyen in building the pagoda. Up to now, most construction items have been completed. A significant project planned by Thich Thien Nguyen before his passing was the creation of a statue of Siddhartha Gautama Buddha sitting atop a 60 meter lotus tower. The construction of this statue will be carried out by the successor in the near future when the time is right. Linh Ung Pagoda – Bai But has long been a favorite

Spiritual destination for Buddhists and international tourists visiting Da Nang city. The pagoda is a majestic, picturesque natural landscape intertwined with captivating legendary stories, which is one of the factors attracting visitors for sightseeing and worship. When visiting Linh Ung Pagoda - Bai But, visitors will have the opportunity to explore Buddhist culture along with the unique natural landscape and ecosystem here.
 

Linh Ung Pagoda - Bai But - Son Tra