DDHK.ORG - In Hong Kong, there is a monastery whose appearance is said to combine all elements of nature harmoniously. Its name, Tsz Shan Monastery or Tsz Shan Monastery.
Quoting from Wikipedia, the Tsz Shan Monastery is called “taking the basic energy of mountains and water, and gathering the essence of the sun and moon. Its architectural features are in harmony with the environment and blend into the natural landscape. The overall design is simple yet elegant, creating the perfect backdrop for depictions of Dharma while embracing traditional features and modern functionality.”
"Yesterday my employer invited me to visit this place," said Ngatipah, Contributor of ddhk.org News, Monday (5/7/2021).
Tsz Shan Monastery is a large Buddhist temple located in Tung Tsz, Tai Po, near Tai Mei Tuk. Inside the monastery, there is a 76-meter-tall statue of Rúyìlún Guānyīn, which is placed in the mountains of Pat Sin Leng, overlooking Plover Cove Reservoir. The monastery has an area of about 500.000 square feet.
The monastery was completed and opened to the public in April 2015. The idea for the construction of Tsz Shan Monastery was conceived by Li Ka-shing, a Hong Kong tycoon, through his charitable foundation. The foundation spent more than HK$3 billion to finance the construction and operating costs of the monastery.
In 2015, Li Ka-shing also built the Art Museum of the Buddhist Tsz Shan Monastery which is located under the giant Guan Yin Statue. The museum officially opened to the public in 2019.
“This Tsz Shan Monastery is very grand. Visiting there is free, there is no entry fee. But in order to maintain the serenity of the monastery and avoid damaging its environment, there is a strict limit on the number of people who can visit it,” said Ngatipah.
Heading to Tsz Shan . Monastery
Well, Friends who are in Hong Kong want to visit Tsz Shan Monastery? Based on the directions displayed on the official website, https://www.tszshan.org/home/new/en/visit.php, there are several modes of transportation that can be boarded.
“Yesterday, from Tai Po Market MTR Station, we took bus number 75K, and got off at San Tau Kok Station. Then, just follow Tung Tsz Road and turn right when you see Universal Gate Road," said Ngatipah.
This bus runs every 10-20 minutes from Tai Po Market MTR Station to Tai Mei Tuk. The full fare is HK$5.8 The duration of the walk since getting off the bus, which Ngatipah said, is about 20 minutes.
Here are some other routes to Tsz Shan Monastery:
Take bus number 275R. This bus runs every 10-20 minutes on Sundays and public holidays from Tai Po Market MTR Station to Bride's Pool. Get off at San Tau Kok. The full rate is HK$10.5. Walk 10 minutes along Tong Tsz Road and turn right onto Universal Gate Road for another 10 minutes.
Take minibus number 20B. This minibus runs every 10-20 minutes from Tai Po Market MTR Station to Tong Tsz. Get off at the intersection of Tong Tsz Road and Universal Gate Road. The full fare is HK$7.3. Then walk uphill along Universal Gate Road for 10 minutes.
Take the minibus number NR532. This minibus runs every 15-30 minutes from Tai Po Market MTR Station to Tong Tsz Villa. The full fare is HK$7.3. Get off at Richmond Hill Garden. Then walk uphill along Universal Gate Road for 13 minutes.
Take minibus number 20C. This minibus runs every 5-20 minutes from Tai Po Market MTR Station to Tai Mei Tuk. The full fare is HK$7,7. Get off at San Tau Kok.
Take minibus number 20T. This minibus operates Monday to Friday (except public holidays) between Tai Po Market MTR Station and Tsz Shan Monastery. The full fare is HK$7.3 one way. Get off at the monastery entrance. This minibus departs from Tai Po Market MTR Station at 09:15 a.m., 9:45 a.m., 13:15 a.m. and 13:45 p.m. While departing from the Tsz Shan Monastery roundabout at 11:30, 12:00, 12:30, 13:00, 13:30, 15:30, 16:00, 16:30, and 17:00.
Take a New Territories taxi. Take MTR Tai Po Market Station or MTR Tai Wo Station. It costs around HK$70.
Elegant old school architecture concept
The architectural style of Tsz Shan Monastery is inspired by the elegant styles of the Tang, Northern Song, Liao, and Jin dynasties. These dynasties are known to have existed for a period of about 600 years, beginning in the 7th century.
Tsz Shan Monastery is situated on a hilly site with expansive ocean views. This monastery has two main areas. Namely, the Main Buddha Hall Area and the Guan Yin Sculpture Area.
The Main Buddha Hall area, the core consists of 3 main buildings placed along the central axis. Each building and associated courtyard is placed on a platform that rises up the hill, which is well demarcated by a corridor around it.
Regarding the Guan Yin Sculpture Area, another axis that branches off from the Grand Courtyard, visitors can get to the front of the colossal Guan Yin Statue by passing through the Universal Gate.
Throughout its halls and grounds, Tsz Shan Monastery provides plenty of room for contemplation. Nature is present throughout: dark African padauk wood, corrugated white-gray granite, marble and bronze are the monastery's most important building materials. The ingredients are one of texture and richness with a connection to origin.
Guan Yin Statue, 2 Times Bigger Than Lantau Island Big Buddha Statue
The statue of Rúyìlún Guānyīn on the left side of the temple complex is 76 meters high, including the 6 meter high bronze lotus platform on which the statue stands. On the crown of the statue is a small image of Buddha Amitābha.
The big statue holds a vase of water in his left hand and a love gem in his right hand. The presence of the Cintamani gem classifies the statue as a two-handed variation of the Manicchakra manifestation of Guan Yin.
“An amazing sight. It is said to be the largest bronze statue of Guan Yin in the world. Reportedly, it is 2 times larger than the Big Buddha statue on Lantau Island. To be able to visit it for free, you can go through the website, tszshan.org," said Ngatipah.
The website also states, Tsz Shan Monastery is open to anyone. Registration is done on a “first come, first served, first come first served” basis. When arriving at the location, the officer will distribute a special identifier for visitors while asking for the HKID of visitors who make online bookings.
Visiting Tips
Do not carelessly visit Tsz Shan Monastery. There are conditions that must be met. The monastery manager gives tips to visit there:
- A visit to Tsz Shan Monastery is a spiritual experience, so please keep your voice low during your visit to the monastery so that you don't disturb others too much.
- As you are visiting a monastery, please dress appropriately when visiting Tsz Shan Monastery. Sleeveless tops, trousers (not shorts), dresses or pants that cover half the calves.
- You should stay hydrated while walking around the monastery. So, bring your own water bottle. There is a water dispenser at Tsz Shan Monastery where you can refill.
- Please note that Tsz Shan Monastery is a non-smoking zone. This is not only good for the environment, but also for health.
- Cigarettes, alcoholic beverages, meat and seafood are not allowed at Tsz Shan Monastery. Please bring your own vegetarian food and fruit to eat in the designated areas of the Monastery.
- Please note that photography or video shooting is not permitted inside the Monastery halls. It can only be done outside the hall.
- Please do not touch any statues, religious objects, or plants in the Monastery or its grounds.
- Our water offerings are an eco-friendly alternative to burning incense etc and making fruit offerings. For details of other religious practices, please consult our Visitor Center.
- You are advised to pay attention to the existing weather conditions. Keep it cool in hot weather, and warm in cold weather. We recommend that you bring an umbrella, sunglasses and a hat when visiting Tsz Shan Monastery.
- Please note that there are no storage facilities at Tsz Shan Monastery. You are advised to take care of your personal belongings when visiting the monastery.
- Guide dogs accompanying the visually impaired are allowed in the convent. But please note that pets are not allowed.
- Wheelchairs are available at the monastery for visitors who need them, free of charge.
"If you go there wearing knee-length clothes or above, the officers will lend you a piece of cloth okay for the tapeh (to be tied around the waist so that the cloth hangs over the knees)," said Ngatipah.
In the monastery there is also a rule so that visitors do not step on the door barrier (barrier to enter the room). "It is recommended to step over, not step on," he said. [DDHKNews]
