Hong Kong Tsz Shan Monastery (慈山寺)
Photo essay
The construction of Hong Kong Tsz Shan Monastery was funded by a guy who’s famous for being rich in Hong Kong. The guy also happened to be a devout Buddhist, and he wanted a tranquil Buddhist location for people to learn about Buddhism and quiet the mind.
After he promised everyone that he wouldn’t turn this Buddhist place into a Buddhaland for tourists, the whole project was green-lighted in 2003 and was completed in 2015. The place is best known for having a giant white Guan Yin (Avalokiteśvara) statue.
The Guan Yin statue had been a part of my uni dorm view for three years, so I have always wanted to see what was actually there the whole time. Also, I studied in a Protestant elementary school and a Buddhist high school, so I have a soft spot for religion stuff.
Since the monastery is not open to the public (unlike the Big Buddha in Lantau), a random person like me would need to book in advance for entry. You’d also need to figure out how to get there…
