The Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery built into a bamboo forested hillside overlooking Tin Sha on Po Fook Hill in the New Territories is a temple like no other. Founded in 1949 by Rev Yuet Kai the main temple was completed in the 1950s but installing the more than 10,000 Buddha and other statues took another ten years. To add to its difference from conventional temples no priests live here and it is managed by laypersons. Another interesting aspect is the body of the founder Rev Yuet Kai who died in the 1960s form part of the statues on display. Embalmed according to Chinese methods it has been painted in gold leaf, dressed in robes and is on display in a glass case at the entrance seated in the lotus position.
The journey up 431 steps to monastery complex is in itself an adventure. The path is lined with golden Buddha statues each with different facial expressions and in different poses. The journey is sometimes enlivened by the appearance of monkeys. The complex spread out in 8 ha is at two different levels and comprises of a nine storey pagoda, the Naga Puspa Hall, three pavilions and a tower on the lower terrace and four halls on the upper level. To say that there is a surfeit of statuary will not be an understatement. There are statues everywhere most painted in gold. Twelve thousand eight hundred tiny gilded ceramic Buddha statues are in niches in conical structures on the lower terrace in the inner sanctum flanking the statues of Samantha Bandara, Avalokitesvara and Manjusri that are the main deities. There are even gilded statues of the seated Buddha in each one of the niches in the nine storey pagoda. The pagoda was made famous by being features in Hong Kong’s 100 dollar bank note. Among the other interesting features is a large stone relief of writhing Chinese dragons, 18 life size statues of Buddha’s most important disciples, statues of the white elephant from Pu Xian and the lion of Wen Shu and large seated and standing statues of various deities. Small gardens and a goldfish pond are also found on the premises. Some of the best panoramic views of Sha Tin are from the grounds of the temple.
Stay at the Cosmo Hotel Mongkok in the bustling heart of what has been called the busiest place in the world. Enjoy a choice of distinctly modern accommodation at this hotel in Kowloon that comes with all amenities and some extras to suit the demands of modern travelers. Guests here, one of the finest Mongkok hotels Hong Kong will find that it is among the most conveniently located in the area with great facilities and services that make a stay here relaxing.
Thanuja Silva is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Auburn Silver. She has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world. Google+
