Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery
Hong Kong
The Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery, located in Sha Tin, Hong Kong, is a remarkable Buddhist temple complex founded in 1949 by the Venerable Yuet Kai. Despite its name, it is not a monastery in the traditional sense as it houses no monks but is maintained by laypersons. Construction was completed in 1957 after eight years of laborious work, with statues continuously installed into the 21st century. The complex features a series of buildings including five halls, four pavilions, a corridor, and a nine-story pagoda, all nestled on a hillside. Visitors are greeted by a scenic climb lined with over 500 life-sized golden Buddha statues, each uniquely posed, totaling nearly 13,000 statues throughout the site. The monastery is also home to rare deities such as the Cundi Bodhisattva and features notable architectural elements like the Wei Tuo Pavilion and Avalokitesvara Pavilion. The founder's body, embalmed and displayed in the main hall, is a revered attraction. The monastery suffered a devastating mudslide in 1997 but was restored and remains a cherished cultural and spiritual landmark in Hong Kong.
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Astuce: Visit during the cooler months or early mornings to avoid crowds and heat. The ascent involves over 400 steps on a shaded path, so wear comfortable shoes and bring water. Tickets can be purchased on site; consider arriving early to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere. The monastery is accessible via Sha Tin MTR station with a 15-30 minute uphill walk. Photography is encouraged, but respect the spiritual environment. No monks reside here, so visitors should maintain decorum appropriate for a religious site.
Faits intéressants
- •The monastery contains nearly 13,000 Buddha statues, far more than its name suggests.
- •The founder, Yuet Kai, was embalmed and his body is displayed in the main hall, considered incorruptible by followers.
- •The nine-story pagoda was featured on Hong Kong's 100-dollar banknote issued by HSBC between 1985 and 2002.
- •The mudslide in 1997 occurred just a day after Hong Kong's handover to China, tragically killing the caretaker Ma Shuk-fong.
- •The complex includes rare statues such as the Cundi Bodhisattva and life-sized golden Arhat statues along the path to the monastery.
Histoire
The Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery was founded in 1949 by the Venerable Yuet Kai, who relocated to Hong Kong from mainland China in 1938.
The site was previously home to a temple dedicated to Kwun Yam.
Construction took eight years, completed in 1957, funded by public donations and built largely by hand.
Yuet Kai passed away in 1965, and his body was embalmed and displayed in the monastery.
The site declined in popularity during the 1970s due to urban development but underwent renovations in 1982, 1997, and 2005.
In 1997, a mudslide tragically killed the caretaker and forced a temporary closure until restoration was completed in 2000.
Since then, it has been managed by a non-profit organization and remains a significant cultural site.
Guide du lieu
Main Ascending Path with Buddha Statues
A scenic uphill path lined with over 500 unique life-sized golden Buddha statues in various poses, creating a spiritual journey to the monastery.
Nine-Story Pagoda (Ten Thousand Buddhas Pagoda)1957
A prominent nine-story pagoda adorned with Buddha statues inside and out, symbolizing Buddhist cosmology and serving as an iconic landmark of the monastery.
Main Hall and Embalmed Body of Venerable Yuet Kai1965
The main hall houses the embalmed and gold-painted body of the monastery's founder, Venerable Yuet Kai, revered as an incorruptible body by followers.
Wei Tuo Pavilion and Avalokitesvara Pavilion1957
Two important pavilions featuring the fierce Wei Tuo deity and the compassionate Avalokitesvara (Guanyin), who protects local fishermen historically.
Five Hundred Arhat Statues2002
A collection of over 500 life-sized Arhat statues placed along the stairways, each with distinct expressions and poses, crafted from fiberglass with gold leaf coating.
Contact
Téléphone: 2691 1067