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Visiting The Po Lin Monastery In Hong Kong

In today's world, it seems that almost any
topic is open for debate. While I wasInside the temple, it isn't necessary to
gathering facts for this article, I was quiteremove your shoes, nor to wear long pants as
surprised to find some of the issues Irequired by Buddhist temples elsewhere.
thought were settled are actually still beingSimply acquire an incense stick and offer
openly  discussed.three bows to the ancestors who watch over
the monks and their sacred building. Place
It's really a good idea to probe a littleyour incense sticks in the holder and then
deeper into the subject of Po Lin Monastery.enjoy the many colorful and intricate
What you learn may give you the confidencecarvings  and  decorations.
you  need  to  venture  into  new  areas.
Visitors can even stay overnight and see the
Sited atop Lantau Island on the Ngong Pingrising sun the next morning. The view of the
plateau, lies one of the most frequentlylight spilling onto Fong Wong Shan Mountain,
visited sights in Hong Kong - the Po Lintwice the height of Victoria Peak, has
Monastery.inspired the monks for decades in their
peaceful  retreat.
There's enough to see and do in and around
the monastery to consume a vacation day orFrom the temple gate, look out toward the top
more,  so  plan  ahead.of Muyushan Mountain. You'll be able to
clearly make out a large copper statue of the
The trip there is an adventure in itself.seated Sakyamuni, reaching 26 meters (85
Take the MTR (the excellent Hong Kong subwayfeet) high. Sakyamuni was the sage of the
system) to Tung Chung. Outside at the busSakyas, a Buddhist-Lamaist (Tibet) god and
terminal, board the No. 23. The ride can takethe  historical  Buddha.
an hour or longer and winding your way up the
mountainside provides a pair of delights.Here known as Tian Tan or The Big Buddha, the
Riders get to see some of the superbstatue was constructed over a steel frame and
countryside and seaside near Hong Kong and atcompleted in 1993 after a 10-year
the same time experience the harrowing joy ofconstruction effort. It sits atop the
a  typical  Chinese  rollercoaster  bus ride.plateau,  reached  by  climbing  268  steps.
Founded in 1924 as a sanctuary for BuddhistStand at the base and take in the setting
monks, the Po Lin Monastery offers superbfirst. Around the pedestal is a three-story
sights both inside and out. The view from theexhibition hall containing a large bell. Rung
top looking out over the sea and mountainside108 times per day, it is said to relieve the
is  breathtaking.108 vexations. As you listen to the chimes,
you can take in the many finely carved
You'll be free to look around at theBuddhist  figures.
exterior, which provides a superior example
of the architecture and art of the period andThen walk up and glance around to take in the
style. The monastery is festooned with smallview the Buddha has, from an island twice the
statues and inscriptions. The surroundingsize of Hong Kong itself. You'll begin to
grounds make it easy to imagine thefeel, perhaps, as the monks do about Lantau
tranquility that motivated the monks to makeIsland  and  the  Po  Lin  Monastery.
it  their  home.
Now you can be a confident expert on Po Lin
You can experience a small taste of thatMonastery. OK, maybe not an expert. But you
lifestyle for yourself by purchasing a mealshould have something to bring to the table
ticket and enjoying the vegetarian lunchnext time you join a discussion on Po Lin
prepared  by  the  monks  in the dining hall.Monastery.



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