Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery is a unusual, distinctive treasure discovered some 400 steps above Hong Kong.
Stroll alongside a path lined by golden Buddha statues putting innumerable poses starting from elated to solemn and every little thing in-between.
The Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery is probably one of many metropolis’s most memorable cultural websites.
Not like most temples in Hong Kong visiting this one is an effective way to channel some pleasant, playful vibes.
What’s the 10,000 Buddhas Monastery About
Overlooking the plush Sha Tin district in northeastern Hong Kong lies a novel temple brimming with golden Buddha statues and different aesthetic delights.
The Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery is a one-of-a-kind Buddhist temple of the 20th-century that doesn’t, regardless of its title, have any monks residing inside it.
Managed solely by day employees, this historic temple and its adjoining pagodas are must-sees for anybody visiting Hong Kong.
Concerning the Golden Buddhas
The temple itself is surrounded by over 10,000 gold Buddha statues, and the positioning can also be dwelling to a whole lot of monkeys who repeatedly make their look!
The statues vary from life-sized to miniature and line each the walkway resulting in the temple in addition to the partitions of the temple itself.
All the complicated is somewhat expansive, containing a variety of halls and pavilions, together with a nine-storey pagoda surrounded by, sure, much more, Buddha statues.
Dancing, praising the heavens, grinning, grimacing, or just meditating—you title it—there’s a Buddha statue doing simply that on the Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple!
From the highest of the temple, panoramic views are removed from missing, permitting guests to absorb the sheer magnitude of the place and absolutely really feel the sense of surprise it evokes.
Historical past of 10,000zero Buddhas Monastery, Hong Kong
The Ten Thousand Buddha Monastery is definitely a lot youthful than it seems.
It was first in-built 1951 underneath a Buddhist monk and instructor named Yuet Kai, and accomplished six years later.
The Buddhas, nevertheless, took a further 10 years to finish.
On the finish of the 20th-century, the monastery was struck by tragedy after one among its caretakers was killed in a mudslide. Afterwards, it closed for 3 years whereas the grounds had been repaired.
Buddha Monastery Historical past
Even earlier than the monastery was constructed, the positioning was dwelling to a temple which was donated to Yuet Kai for the aim of creating a Buddhist faculty (which proved to be unsuccessful).
As an alternative, Kai determined to construct the monastery that stands so brilliantly at this time.
Oddly sufficient, there are way over 10,000 buddhas on the monastery’s grounds (a quantity nearer to 12,000 is extra correct).
Why the title, then? In Cantonese, the quantity 10,000 is used to indicate extraordinarily massive numbers—which is why the temple was named as such.
Statues on the Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery in Hong Kong, China
Following Yuet Kai’s dying, his physique was embalmed, clothed in robes, painted in gold, and positioned in a glass show in entrance of the pavilion’s most important altar.
Right this moment, guests can see what’s claimed to be his stays—a determine lined in gold leaves in a lotus pond.
What to anticipate on the Buddha Monastery
A temple as distinctive because the Ten Thousand Buddha Monastery no simple hike—actually!
Guests should trek up over 400 steep steps to get to the temple, wander by overgrown foliage and previous a rusted chain-link fence.
This trek is all a part of the journey, and the numerous Buddha statues that line the staircase are certain to maintain nice firm.
Monkeys on the Ten Thousand Buddhas
What makes this journey even higher is the truth that monkeys are effectively at dwelling all through the positioning, popping up alongside the pathway resulting in the principle pavilion, and swinging from surrounding timber.
They’re pleasant however typically a bit confrontational—the monkeys at this monastery are recognized to typically snatch meals out of tourists’ palms, so snack at your personal danger!
There’s additionally a koi fish pond that gives a further stage of Zen.
Ideas for visiting Ten Thousand Buddha Monastery
The Ten Thousand Buddha Monastery is situated about an hour by subway from Hong Kong’s central district.
It’s a few 10-minute stroll from Sha Tin Station.
Although there are surprisingly few indicators depicting the walkway which ends up in the positioning, don’t fret—there are certain to be guests heading in the identical path, and when unsure, merely ask!
We discovered an indication to the 10,000 Buddhas
The temple itself is free to enter and open day by day from 9 am to five:30 pm, and even has a small Buddhist restaurant on web site that serves vegetarian meals.
When it comes to crowd stage, it’s often not horrible (contemplating the problem of getting there!), apart from throughout Chinese language New 12 months.
And take word—make sure to put on a snug pair of footwear.
All in all, the Ten Thousand Buddha Monastery is a incredible solution to spend a day in Hong Kong, however not beneficial for these with mobility points…or a concern of monkeys!
By KT Browne
1 comment
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