Hong Kong Dinghui Temple

Hong Kong Dinghui Temple

Dinghui Temple, also known as Dinghui Chan Temple, is located in Mawo Village, Tai Po District, New Territories, Hong Kong. Established in 1923, it is the earliest Buddhist temple built in the Tai Po area.

Dinghui Temple was initially named "Lanruo Garden" and was initiated by Venerable Zengxiu. The Venerable Zengxiu, lay surname Huang, was from Kaiping, Guangdong. At the age of 22, he was ordained at Da Jue Temple on Qixingyan in Zhaoqing, after which he went northward in pursuit of Buddhist teachings. At the age of 38, he came to Lingyun Temple on Guanyin Mountain in the New Territories for spiritual practice. During this time, he forged connections with many local gentry and business personalities in Hong Kong. Due to the inconvenient access to Lingyun Temple, discussions arose among devotees about establishing another monastery. Guided by disciples of the Venerable Miao Can, who resided at Lingyun Temple, Venerable Zengxiu began searching for a site in the Tai Po area around Taoyuan Cave. He eventually found the current location on Mawo Mountain, raised funds to purchase ten thousand square feet of residential land from the government, and was later granted over one hundred thousand square feet of agricultural land. The new monastery was completed and named "Lanruo Garden" for its tranquil atmosphere, while the farmland was planted with fruit trees to provide offerings for all.

History

Master Zeng then searched for an auspicious site along Taoyuan Cave in Tai Po and successfully found the current location of Dinghui Temple on Mawo Mountain. He raised several tens of thousands of dollars to purchase over ten thousand square feet of residential land from the government and was also allocated over one hundred thousand square feet of agricultural land. After two years, the Buddhist temple was completed and named “Lanruo Garden,” meaning a place of tranquility. Later, because the character “Lan” sounded similar to the Cantonese word for “excessive” (滥), the public requested a name change. In 1963, it was finally renamed “Dinghui Temple.”

Over the decades following the completion of Lanruo Garden, the region experienced frequent warfare. To protect the ancestral temple and ensure the safety of monks, Master Zeng traveled frequently between Qingyun Temple, Lanruo Garden, and Po Lin Monastery on Lantau Island. In 1934, a new Mahavira Hall was constructed next to the buildings of Lanruo Garden. During the Anti-Japanese War, Master Zeng sheltered many refugee monks. Later, as food supplies became scarce and monks chose to leave so as not to burden the monastery further, Master Zeng resolved to stay and defend the temple. In 1951, the monks of Po Lin Monastery on Lantau Island, recognizing Master Zeng’s wisdom, virtue, and strict adherence to monastic discipline, appointed him as the abbot of Po Lin Monastery. He made many achievements during his tenure. One year later, Master Zeng resigned and returned to Lanruo Garden. In 1963, with long-term sustainability in mind, Master Zeng registered Lanruo Garden as a non-profit organization, renamed it Dinghui Temple, and appointed Venerables Fa Ke, Xian Chen, Mao Rui, Xu Lang, and Xiu Hui as permanent board directors to form a management committee overseeing temple affairs. The temple was transformed into a public Chan monastery, open to all practitioners.

In the spring of 1966, at the age of 84, Master Zeng resigned from the position of abbot. His successor was Venerable Mao Rui. Other abbots who followed included Elder Venerable Le Guo and Venerable Rui Tao. After the latter passed away, the temple affairs were managed by Venerable Ren Hui, the chairperson of the board. He made significant contributions, including the construction of the Universal Columbarium and the Memorial Hall of Master Zeng. Venerable Ren Hui, whose secular name was Ngan Siu Tung, was an early graduate of the University of Hong Kong. He became deeply interested in Buddhism in his youth, but did not become a monk until he was nearly 70, after the passing of his wife and when his children had grown up. He then went to Po Lin Monastery to be ordained. In 1988, Venerable Ren Hui passed away, and his family donated a legacy of HK$1.5 million for the renovation of the Buddha Hall. The project was planned and carried out by the board members and was completed in May 1993 at a total cost of over HK$2 million, thanks to donations from devotees. The renovated Mahavira Hall became magnificent, solemn, and resplendent in gold, coinciding with the grand re-consecration ceremony for the temple's seventieth anniversary, adding even more joy to the occasion.

Transportation Guide

Address: 53 Mawo Village, Tai Po Market, Tai Po District, Hong Kong

Getting There: Take New Territories Mini Bus Route 20S to Mawo Village, then walk to the temple