In 2003, Hong Kong tycoon Li Ka-shing started a grand project to build a monastery for the purpose of promoting Buddhist teachings to the general public. Li poured in HKD1 billion of his own money into the construction of the Tsz Shan Monastery, located in Tai Po.
Although the complex will not be open to the public until next week, it has already hosted several events and activities by invitation only. On April 7, Tsz Shan allowed selected visitors to honour their ancestors and to thank them for their sacrifices.
We were all screened at the entrance and asked for our reference numbers. Volunteer guides then ushered us into an assembly hall beneath the temple.
Above the air-conditioned, modern assembly hall is Grand Buddha Hall, Universal Hall, Great Vow Hall, the Brilliance Pond, and other structures that make up the expansive (and expensive) monastery complex.
On the western side lie dormitories with space for up to 80 monks, as well as guest rooms – the now infamous ones that come equipped with bulletproof windows. Unfortunately, access to these was limited.
But the centrepiece – and most visible part – of the monastery is the giant statue of the Goddess of Mercy Guan Yin, located towards the rear of the complex.
Completed in 2013, the bronze-forged-white statue is made in the image of Guan Yin holding a pearl in her right hand, designed to bring peace to worshippers and help fulfill their wishes. At 76 metres in height, she is as imposing as she is elegant.
So as to not take away from the simple aesthetics of the design, there are no metal railings along the outdoor pathways. Towards the back of the temple is the Pat Sin Leng mountain range. And on the opposite side of the facility, a terrace provides panoramic views of the Tolo Harbour, Plover Cove and beyond.
Walking through the grounds, the serenity is palpable. A good 60 percent of the entire area is landscaped gardens, perfect for meditation and contemplation.
Tsz Shan Monastery was built in the Tang Dynasty style of architecture, which takes into consideration the surrounding natural environment. The well-pruned plants and trees blend effortlessly with the elegant temple designs and their subdued colours.
The rationale behind the design is that visitors can only start to appreciate and learn more about what Buddhism entails if they are in an environment that is conducive for it.
There are more than 20 landscapers and gardeners on standby to keep the site looking its best, and the monastery’s feng shui is said to be ideal given its backdrop of mountains and water fringe.
However, in spite of its good feng shui and the added bonus of having the God of Mercy on its side – quite literally in this case – the project is not free from controversy.
A contractor for the monastery, Chun Wo Holdings, is suing Metta Resources, a company with ties to Li’s Cheung Kong, for HKD335 million for what it claims are outstanding payments for work.
In addition, Li has also refuted claims that surfaced in 2013 after local media company Apple Daily reported that the monastery will ultimately serve as the tycoon’s final resting place.
Tsz Shan will be open to the general public from April 15. However, all prospective visitors must make an appointment about a week to a month in advance through a booking system.
Registration is only open to individuals and charities, and the temple will not entertain tour groups. Even then, entrance will be capped at 700 people on weekdays and 1,000 people on the weekends to preserve its holy ambiance.
Photos: Kevin Dharmawan for Coconuts Hong Kong
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