| In today's world, it seems that almost any topic is open | | | | vegetarian lunch prepared by the monks in the dining |
| for debate. While I was gathering facts for this article, I | | | | hall. |
| was quite surprised to find some of the issues I | | | | Inside the temple, it isn't necessary to remove your |
| thought were settled are actually still being openly | | | | shoes, nor to wear long pants as required by Buddhist |
| discussed. | | | | temples elsewhere. Simply acquire an incense stick |
| It's really a good idea to probe a little deeper into the | | | | and offer three bows to the ancestors who watch |
| subject of Po Lin Monastery. What you learn may give | | | | over the monks and their sacred building. Place your |
| you the confidence you need to venture into new | | | | incense sticks in the holder and then enjoy the many |
| areas. | | | | colorful and intricate carvings and decorations. |
| Sited atop Lantau Island on the Ngong Ping plateau, lies | | | | Visitors can even stay overnight and see the rising sun |
| one of the most frequently visited sights in Hong Kong | | | | the next morning. The view of the light spilling onto |
| - the Po Lin Monastery. | | | | Fong Wong Shan Mountain, twice the height of |
| There's enough to see and do in and around the | | | | Victoria Peak, has inspired the monks for decades in |
| monastery to consume a vacation day or more, so | | | | their peaceful retreat. |
| plan ahead. | | | | From the temple gate, look out toward the top of |
| The trip there is an adventure in itself. Take the MTR | | | | Muyushan Mountain. You'll be able to clearly make out |
| (the excellent Hong Kong subway system) to Tung | | | | a large copper statue of the seated Sakyamuni, |
| Chung. Outside at the bus terminal, board the No. 23. | | | | reaching 26 meters (85 feet) high. Sakyamuni was the |
| The ride can take an hour or longer and winding your | | | | sage of the Sakyas, a Buddhist-Lamaist (Tibet) god |
| way up the mountainside provides a pair of delights. | | | | and the historical Buddha. |
| Riders get to see some of the superb countryside and | | | | Here known as Tian Tan or The Big Buddha, the |
| seaside near Hong Kong and at the same time | | | | statue was constructed over a steel frame and |
| experience the harrowing joy of a typical Chinese | | | | completed in 1993 after a 10-year construction effort. It |
| rollercoaster bus ride. | | | | sits atop the plateau, reached by climbing 268 steps. |
| Founded in 1924 as a sanctuary for Buddhist monks, | | | | Stand at the base and take in the setting first. Around |
| the Po Lin Monastery offers superb sights both inside | | | | the pedestal is a three-story exhibition hall containing a |
| and out. The view from the top looking out over the | | | | large bell. Rung 108 times per day, it is said to relieve |
| sea and mountainside is breathtaking. | | | | the 108 vexations. As you listen to the chimes, you can |
| You'll be free to look around at the exterior, which | | | | take in the many finely carved Buddhist figures. |
| provides a superior example of the architecture and | | | | Then walk up and glance around to take in the view |
| art of the period and style. The monastery is | | | | the Buddha has, from an island twice the size of Hong |
| festooned with small statues and inscriptions. The | | | | Kong itself. You'll begin to feel, perhaps, as the monks |
| surrounding grounds make it easy to imagine the | | | | do about Lantau Island and the Po Lin Monastery. |
| tranquility that motivated the monks to make it their | | | | Now you can be a confident expert on Po Lin |
| home. | | | | Monastery. OK, maybe not an expert. But you should |
| You can experience a small taste of that lifestyle for | | | | have something to bring to the table next time you join |
| yourself by purchasing a meal ticket and enjoying the | | | | a discussion on Po Lin Monastery. |