| In today's world, it seems that almost any | | | | |
| topic is open for debate. While I was | | | | Inside the temple, it isn't necessary to |
| gathering facts for this article, I was quite | | | | remove your shoes, nor to wear long pants as |
| surprised to find some of the issues I | | | | required by Buddhist temples elsewhere. |
| thought were settled are actually still being | | | | Simply 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 little | | | | your 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 confidence | | | | carvings and decorations. |
| you need to venture into new areas. | | | | |
| | | | Visitors can even stay overnight and see the |
| Sited atop Lantau Island on the Ngong Ping | | | | rising sun the next morning. The view of the |
| plateau, lies one of the most frequently | | | | light spilling onto Fong Wong Shan Mountain, |
| visited sights in Hong Kong - the Po Lin | | | | twice 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 or | | | | From 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 subway | | | | feet) high. Sakyamuni was the sage of the |
| system) to Tung Chung. Outside at the bus | | | | Sakyas, a Buddhist-Lamaist (Tibet) god and |
| terminal, board the No. 23. The ride can take | | | | the 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 superb | | | | statue was constructed over a steel frame and |
| countryside and seaside near Hong Kong and at | | | | completed in 1993 after a 10-year |
| the same time experience the harrowing joy of | | | | construction effort. It sits atop the |
| a typical Chinese rollercoaster bus ride. | | | | plateau, reached by climbing 268 steps. |
| | | | |
| Founded in 1924 as a sanctuary for Buddhist | | | | Stand at the base and take in the setting |
| monks, the Po Lin Monastery offers superb | | | | first. Around the pedestal is a three-story |
| sights both inside and out. The view from the | | | | exhibition hall containing a large bell. Rung |
| top looking out over the sea and mountainside | | | | 108 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 the | | | | Buddhist figures. |
| exterior, which provides a superior example | | | | |
| of the architecture and art of the period and | | | | Then walk up and glance around to take in the |
| style. The monastery is festooned with small | | | | view the Buddha has, from an island twice the |
| statues and inscriptions. The surrounding | | | | size of Hong Kong itself. You'll begin to |
| grounds make it easy to imagine the | | | | feel, perhaps, as the monks do about Lantau |
| tranquility that motivated the monks to make | | | | Island 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 that | | | | Monastery. OK, maybe not an expert. But you |
| lifestyle for yourself by purchasing a meal | | | | should have something to bring to the table |
| ticket and enjoying the vegetarian lunch | | | | next time you join a discussion on Po Lin |
| prepared by the monks in the dining hall. | | | | Monastery. |