This Zen sanctuary is located on Tay Thien Mountain, which belongs to the Tam Dao mountain range in the northern province of Vinh Phuc.
Built in 2005 on the ruins of an ancient pagoda named Thien An Thien Tu, and using remains of that ancient pagoda’s floor, Truc Lam Tay Thien Zen Monastery sits majestically on the apex of the mountain, where from below the red tips of its tile-covered roof can be seen peaking through the pine trees.
The higher visitors climb up the sides of Tay Thien Mountain, the more the busy world of commerce below evaporates as the world of tranquility above pervades.
The sense of peace is palpable as visitors reach the impressive three-door gate in front of the monastery.
To transport the building materials from the lowlands to the top of mountain, workers initially had to build a passable road up the side of the mountain.
After the road was completed, the most skilled artisans and construction workers across the country were employed to build the monastery from April 2004 to November 2005.
Truc Lam Tay Thien Zen Monastery is very ornate, from carved pictures on the doors to embossed works on the wall, ceiling, and pillars, every detail was considered.
Stone sculptors from Da Nang created Buddhas out of sandstone, while stone sculptors from the northern province of Ninh Binh contributed stone lamps, incense burners, pillars and steles.
Read More: http://www.buddhistchannel.tv/index.php?id=55,5806,0,0,1,0#.WxV4lEiFNEY
