VietNamNet Bridge – A visit to the sanctuary of pagodas to explore the solemn architecture and ease the distress of bustling city life has become a popular experience of tourists today. Thi Vai Mountain in Baria-Vung Tau Province could be the ideal worship place for Buddhist monks,

Buddhist monks and believers worship in Lien Tri Pagoda at the foot of Thi Vai Mountain.

The pagoda’s name, Linh Son Buu Thien originates from a historical story in Gia Dinh Thanh Thong Chi, a geographic and historical book about the south of Vietnam writen by Trinh Hoai Duc in the early of the 19th century, saying that Nun Dieu Hanh was the first person who led her life for Buddha and who rescued King Gia Long (1802 -01819) in the Nguyen Dynasty from the hunt of Tay Son troops in Thi Vai mountain. The king rebuilt her secluded hut to a temple to honor the nun as well as to express his gratefulness to her.

Worshippers and tourists have to climb 1,340 stone steps from the foot of the mountain to Linh Son Buu Thien Pagoda. Along the way to the upper pagoda, tourists can see flocks of monkeys playing together in ancient trees or on the mountain side.

From the top of the pagoda, tourists will have a chance to take in the whole scenery of the coastal province. In the distance are Thi Vai Port, Phu My Port, identifiable by the smoke rising into the sky from factory chimneys in the industrial zones of Ba Ria-Vung Tau, and Dong Nai provinces.

The pagoda is similar to the pagoda in Ba Den mountain in Tay Ninh Province but it is a more tranquil and quiet place of sanctuary.

Making a pilgrimage to Thi Vai Mountain, visitors should equip cooking and drinks as there is no restaurant along the way up the mountain.

Tourists will also have a panoramic view of Dong Nai River, whose stream is crawling unpleasantly to find food among the hazardous waste of industry. However, visitors here will find the tranquility of nature in the sanctuary of pagodas, with the murmur of rivers, charm of lotus pond and especially the sunset, when the birds noisily make their way back to the mountain.

(Source: SGT)