Hong Kong is a free society with diverse cultures. Religious beliefs in different places can coexist, and religious buildings with different appearances can be found. The place that
HongKongFootprint.com will visit this time is a temple imitating the architecture of the Ming Dynasty and Qing Dynasty.
Lo Wai Tsuen, located in Tsuen Wan, New Territories, is one of the oldest villages in Tsuen Wan. There are many temples in the village, and "Western Monastery" is one of them. "Western Monastery" was built in 1973. Although it has only a history of several decades, it has beautiful natural scenery and a simple and quiet temple environment, so there is an endless stream of believers.
The whole temple imitates the traditional Chinese palace architectural style, giving people a solemn and majestic feeling. In addition to several Buddhist halls, the temple also has a bell tower, a drum tower, a pagoda, and an exhibition area themed on "Bodhisattva Kwun Yum", displaying different scriptures and various statues.
In the "Mahavira Hall" in the temple, the "Three Saints of the West" are enshrined, that is, the three deities who often live in the Western Pure Land. They are "Buddha Amitabha", "Bodhisattva Kwun Yum" and "Bodhisattva Mahasthamaprapta". First, let’s talk about the "Mahavira Hall", also known as the "Precious Hall of the Great Hero", which means to praise the mighty virtue of the deities. Because Buddhas and Bodhisattvas are deities who have been enlightened after experiencing countless calamities. Therefore, it has great wisdom and boundless magic power, and can subdue all kinds of demons, so it is called "Great Hero".
It is said that "Buddha Amitabha" is a deity with high understanding. In order to help all beings get rid of suffering and achieve happiness, after becoming a Buddha, he created the Western Pure Land, where he preached scriptures and preached the Dharma to all beings, so he was deeply respected by believers. "Bodhisattva Kwun Yum", also known as the "Bodhisattva of Compassion", is a deity who has vowed to save all beings, and listens to the sufferings and prayers of all beings through a compassionate heart. It is also deeply admired and worshipped by believers. As for the "Bodhisattva Mahasthamaprapta", according to legends, he possesses a unique light of wisdom that shakes the heavens and the earth wherever he goes, and can illuminate all living beings, enabling all living beings to free themselves from suffering. Therefore, "Bodhisattva Mahasthamaprapta" is also considered to be the representative of light and wisdom.
"Western Monastery" also has a towering and majestic pagoda. Because in the belief of Buddhism, the construction of pagodas is beneficial to the prosperity of the place, and it is expected that the weather will be good and the country will be prosperous. In addition, in this nine-story pagoda, a very rare Buddhist relics, also known as "Sarira", is also enshrined. According to legend, after the Buddha was cremated after Nirvana, the relics left behind were distributed among the eight countries, and all eight countries built pagodas to enshrine them. Later, due to various reasons, some relics spread to Southeast Asia and China.
If you want to visit this place, it is recommended to take the MTR to Tsuen Wan Station and leave at Exit B1. After that, walk through the pedestrian bridge until you reach Chung On Street. Then walk along Chung On Street until you reach Shiu Wo Street. Take the minibus No. 81 at Shiu Wo Street, and get off at Western Temple.
Location: Western Monastery
Address: Lo Wai Road, Lo Wai, New Territories
Credit:
Hong Kong Footprint (HongKongFootprint.com)
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