Admiring the Beauty of Chua Linh Ung on Deo Ro Tuong: An Essential Stop
Deo Ro Tuong is about 10 km from Ninh Hoa Town and around 17 km from Deo Ru Ri in Nha Trang. Historically, this pass marked the boundary between the districts of Ninh Hoa and Vinh Xuong. Today, it lies between the communes of Ninh Ich and Ninh Loc, both part of Ninh Hoa district.
1. Overview of Chua Linh Ung Nha Trang
Linh Ung is located on the mountainside in Tan Thuy, a fishing village established in the early 18th century. The temple was founded by Zen Master Pho Nhuan in 1959. Originally, the temple stood above the road, with the main entrance leading from the fishing village. However, after the national highway expansion through the pass, the temple was relocated to a large plot of land donated by devoted Buddhists from Tan Thuy village.
2. Temple Grounds
In 2000, a comprehensive renovation of the temple’s landscape took place. In 2005, the great bronze bell was cast, donated by HT. Toan Thien. In 2006, the Five-Story Tam Bao Tower was built to honor Buddha. By 2008, a 12-meter-high statue of Bodhisattva Quan The Am was erected. The two-story Tam Quan gate was also constructed, with identical statues of Phat Mau Chuan De placed inside and outside. Along the entry path, two grand dragons majestically twist and spray pearls.
Over time, more intricate landscapes have adorned the temple grounds amidst greenery and decorative plants, such as the Loc Uyen Garden, Lam-Ti-Ni Garden, statues of Prince Tat-Dat-Da renouncing worldly life, the statues of the Eighteen Arhats, the Eight Vajra Warriors, the reclining statue of Buddha entering Nirvana, the statue of Buddha Di Lac, and the statue of Bodhisattva Quan The Am seated on a pink lotus. Statues of the Guardian Gods – Tieu Dien, Khuyen Thien – and Trung Ac are also carefully arranged, creating a truly sacred atmosphere.
