The Po Lin Monastery is located in Ngong Ping on Lantau Island in Hong Kong. Originally, the Buddhist monastery was built by three monks andwas initially called Da Maopeng. In 1924, however, it was renamedPo Lin Monastery. About 70 years later, the Po Lin Monastery has become one ofthe most renowned and most popular tourist destinations in Hong Kong.

The Monastery consists of the Da Xiong Bao Dian (the Great Hall of Treasure), the Maitreya Hall, the Hall of Ti-tsang Bodhisattva, the Weituo Hall, the Banruo Hall, the Sutra-Collection Hall and other impressive structures. In the Da Xiong Bao Dian, for example, are enshrined three Buddhas - Sakyamuni, Dipamkarara and Maitreya. In the Hall of Ti-tsang Bodhisattva there stands a bronze statue of Ti-tsang Bodhisattva, which weighs approximately 200 kilograms (441 pounds). There is also a 1,000 kilogram bronze bell.

Located on the peak of the Muyu Mountain, the Tian Tan Big Buddha is perhaps the most famous. It depicts Sakyamuni who sits on a lotus pedestal in meditation position. Covering an area of about 2,339 square meters (2,797 square yards), the Buddha, with its pedestal, is about 34 meters (112 feet) high.

The pedestal consists of a three-storied exhibition Hall. It includes the Gongde Hall, the Fajie Hall, and the Sakyamuni Memorial Hall. The Fajie Hall displays a wooden book which records about 160 bodhisattvas gathering together to discuss the sutras. In the Gongde Hall is enshrined a statue of Ti-tsang Bodhisattva, standing on the lotus pedestal with a cane in his hand. In the Sakyamuni Memorial Hall the relic of Sakyamuni is worshipped, as it was received from Sri Lanka in 1992. There is also a bell in the exhibition hall, which is engraved with figures of Buddhas and the Buddhist sutras. It is rung every seven minutes, 108 times per day. Mythologically, it is said that the powers of the bell can 'cure' people's 108 kinds of vexations.

The Buddhist Relics Exhibition is held regularly in the monastery. Many precious Buddhist relics, including the Longcang Sutra and the Monk Huayan Preaching Buddhist Sutras (a painting) are displayed there. Buddhist disciples from all over the world can go there for a visit.

Getting there

1. Take the subway to the Tung Chung Station, and then take the New Lantau Bus No.23 to Ngong Ping.
2. Take a ferry at the Central Pier No.6 to Mui Wo on the Lantau Island, and then take the New Lantau Bus No.2 at the Mui Wo Bus Station to Ngong Ping.