Hong Kong Tung Po Toi Lecture Temple

Hong Kong Tung Po Toi Lecture Temple

Tung Po Toi Lecture Temple is situated in Lo Wai Village at the foot of Thousand Buddha Mountain in Tsuen Wan, Hong Kong. It is built in the style of Hangzhou’s Puji Temple in Zhejiang Province, China. Established in 1932 by Venerable Miu Fung, the temple has always been run by monks. Owing to its longstanding obscurity, the environment here has stayed very serene. However, before the handover, due to operational difficulties and to prevent the temple from closing down, it was taken over by the Chinese Temples Committee. Since then, following extensive promotion, the site now attracts large numbers of visitors. Although both the interior and exterior have been renovated, it has lost some of its former tranquil charm.

History

Tung Po Toi Lecture Temple was founded in 1932 by Venerable Miu Fung. A native of Bobai, Guangxi, he was born in the 14th year of the Guangxu reign (1888) during the Qing Dynasty. At the age of 29, he received full ordination at Huiguang Temple (now known as Longchang Temple) on Baohua Mountain in Nanjing. In 1924, Miu Fung was invited to preach at Lingquan Temple in Taiwan. In 1927, he came to Hong Kong from Taiwan to promote Buddhism. Passing through Lo Wai Village and climbing Thousand Stone Mountain and visiting Tai Shui Hang, he was struck by the majestic landscape, deeming it an ideal location for a Buddhist temple. He subsequently raised funds to build the temple. Construction began in 1930 and took two years to complete. Noticing the resemblance between the scenery around Thousand Stone Mountain and that of Mount Putuo, he named it “Tung Po Toi” (East Putuo), renamed Thousand Stone Mountain to “Thousand Buddha Mountain,” and called Tai Shui Hang “Three-Tiered Pool.”

Architectural Features

Tung Po Toi Lecture Temple features numerous pavilions and halls: The Yuantong Treasure Hall, renovated in 1949, lies at the heart of the temple complex and houses statues of Guanyin, the Three Saints of the West, Maitreya Buddha, Manjushri Bodhisattva, and Samantabhadra Buddha. At the front are the Heavenly King Hall, Skanda Hall, and Guanyin Hall; at the back is the Scripture Depository; on the left are the Guest Reception Hall and the Longevity Hall; on the right are the Ancestral Hall and the Merit Hall. Scattered across Thousand Buddha Mountain are other structures and scenic spots such as the Yinhai Hall, Bodhi Tree, Jingye Hall, Five Contemplations Dining Hall, Western Guest Hall, Meditation Hall, Cloud Water Hall, Library, Guest Hall, and Bamboo Pavilion.

Treasured Relics

Tung Po Toi is most famed for its so-called “Three Greats”: the “Great Buddha,” the “Great Tripod,” and the “Great Cauldron.” Behind the large tripod in the main hall are inscribed the words “Weighing over 600 jin, made by Sheng Dian,” making it one of Hong Kong’s rare Buddhist cultural relics. To commemorate Venerable Miu Fung, the “Miu Gong Memorial Hall” was built in 1967. Its treasured collections include:

Inscription by Master Hong Yi: Lay name Li Shutong, an eminent musician and artist before becoming a monk, who studied in Japan in his early years.

“Five-Character Couplet” and “Flower-and-Bird Paintings” by renowned Lingnan School painters Gao Jianfu and Zhao Shao’ang.

Imperial yellow satin with golden embroidery – the “Five Robes” bestowed by Emperor Hirohito of Japan: In 1924, Venerable Miu Fung was invited to preach at Lingquan Temple in Keelung, Taiwan. He stayed in Taiwan for three years, delivering sermons and converting tens of thousands. The then Japanese Governor-General of Taiwan and his officials also attended his lectures and reported the event to the Japanese Emperor, who then decreed the gift of a set of golden Five Robes to Venerable Miu Fung – the first time in 300 years that a non-Japanese monk received such an honor.

Transportation Guide

Location: 168 Lo Wai Road, Lo Wai Village, Tsuen Wan District, Hong Kong

Getting There: Take MTR Tsuen Wan Line to Tsuen Wan Station, then transfer to minibus route 81