Hong Kong Yuanyuen College

Hong Kong Yuanyuen College

Hong Kong Yuanyuen College was founded in 1946 by Zhao Yuxiu and others, including the uncle of the college’s board chairman Zhao Zhendong. It is located at Sandie Tam in Tsuen Wan, New Territories, Hong Kong. Since Zhao Zhendong’s father once became a Taoist disciple at Guangdong’s Luofu Mountain, Yuanyuen College has a doctrinal connection to Luofu Mountain. The college is characterized by the integration of Taoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism. Its name “Yuanyuanxue” (“圆玄学”) symbolizes this: “Yuan” (圆) refers to Buddhism, “Xuan” (玄) to Taoism, and “Xue” (学) to Confucianism. The college venerates the deities of the three teachings, upholding the mission of “promoting the three teachings and advocating the eight virtues.” It was registered as a charitable organization in 1956 and has been actively engaged in social welfare, charity, and educational initiatives.

As a place for spiritual retreat, Yuanyuen College has grown steadily under the leadership of several generations of chairpersons. Its development has expanded both in religious practice and infrastructure. Structures such as the Mingxing Hall, Three Teachings Archway, Zhizhilexian Pavilion, Baoben Hall, Airi Pavilion, Three Teachings Grand Hall, Eight Virtues Stele, Longhua Building, Scripture Depository, Yuan Chen Hall, Yashi Museum, and Dao De Jing Stele have been completed. The solemn grandeur of temples and pagodas, along with the serene elegance of pavilions, ponds, and gardens, make it not only a sacred site for worshippers but also a popular destination for visitors.

In 1957, Taoist Master Zhao Yuxiu took over as board chairman. Master Zhao advocated the common origin of the three teachings, stating that “the great source of the Tao comes from heaven, and the virtues bestowed by heaven upon the human heart are universally good… The teachings that enlighten the mind and reveal one’s true nature deeply move people through Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism.” In 1967, construction began on the Three Teachings Grand Hall, which was completed in 1971. The hall enshrines Sakyamuni Buddha, Laozi (the Taoist Celestial Lord), and Confucius. The completion of the Three Teachings Grand Hall marked a new phase in the development of Yuanyuen College.

The main structure of Yuanyuen College, the Three Teachings Grand Hall, has two levels: the upper level enshrines the Supreme Taoist Deity, Confucius the Great Sage, and Sakyamuni Buddha, while the lower level houses the Sixty Jiazi Deities. On both sides of the hall are bell and drum towers, along with the Guan Di Hall, Lü Zu Hall, and alchemy rooms. A stone memorial archway stands at the front, while sculptures, ponds, and gardens dot the courtyard. The site also includes a vegetarian restaurant and a columbarium. It is one of the largest Taoist temples in Hong Kong. Yuanyuen College operates under a board system. Not only has its architectural scale grown significantly, but plans for further expansion are also underway. It houses a library with collections of scriptures and literature on the three teachings. In December 1985, it hosted the “International Research Conference on Traditional Taoist Ritual Music.” The college strongly supports educational initiatives and maintenance of Taoist temples on the mainland, having funded the construction of the expansive Yuanyuen Welfare Centre in Huaxian, Guangzhou.

Within Yuanyuen College, the Mingxing Hall enshrines Guan Sheng Di Jun (Lord Guan), Lü Zu Ancestor (Lü Dongbin), Guanyin Bodhisattva, and Ji Gong (Ji Shen). The lower level of the main hall, known as the Yuan Chen Hall, enshrines Dou Mu Yuan Jun (the Goddess of the Big Dipper) and the Deities of the Stems and Branches. On the birthdays of these deities, worshippers pay homage, pray for blessings, and seek peace and longevity. The hall is always bustling with incense and devotees. The college also employs Taoist scripture reciters responsible for conducting rituals and ceremonies. Additionally, there are memorial plaques and a columbarium. The college holds annual events such as the Lantern Festival, Ghost Festival rituals, and Lower Yuan Blessing ceremonies to honor ancestors, dispel disasters, and pray for peace.

Guided by the principle of “Taoist education,” Yuanyuen College promotes traditional Chinese values and is dedicated to moral development. Since the 1980s, it has established three secondary schools, one primary school, and five kindergartens, providing comprehensive education for children of appropriate ages. The college frequently collaborates with domestic and international scholars to hold seminars on Taoist studies, rituals, and music. It has also partnered with Sichuan University on the research project “History of Science and Technology in Chinese Taoism” and supported the publication of the “Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism Doctoral Dissertation Series” and other works to promote traditional culture. The college’s Scripture Depository and Yashi Museum house collections of classical scriptures and cultural relics for posterity.

Yuanyuen College actively participates in and supports various charitable, welfare, recreational, and cultural activities within its community. In addition to contributing to the medical services of Tsuen Wan Yan Chai Hospital and Yuen Long Pok Oi Hospital, it sponsors public welfare events organized by district committees of the Tsuen Wan District Council, including sports festivals, art festivals, fireworks displays, and light shows.

Transportation Guide

Address: Lo Wai Road, Tsuen Wan District, Hong Kong

How to get there: Take New Territories Mini Bus Route 81