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