Hong Kong Foguang Temple

Hong Kong Foguang Temple

Located at Tai Chung Hau, Pak Sha Wan in Sai Kung, Hong Kong Foguang Temple was originally a Taoist site. In the late 1940s, when this area was still a wild, mountainous region, the founding master of the temple had already set his sights on the location. He dug into the sand to build structures and established the Taoist practice ground. By the 1950s, it had gradually taken shape. In 1975, the founding master turned to Buddhism, and since then, Foguang Temple has become a place of quiet meditation where monks chant sutras and recite Buddhist scriptures.

The founder of Foguang Temple, Venerable Daoxing, became a vegetarian from a young age. Before becoming a monk, he had considerable knowledge of Taoist philosophy and traditional Chinese medicine theories, and later opened a clinic to practice medicine in Wan Chai. By fate, he met Venerable Leguo, who was invited by Master Ying Tanxu to come south. Seeing this doctor offer free medical care and show great compassion, Venerable Leguo tried several times to persuade him to abandon Taoism and convert to Buddhism. After repeated enlightenment from the master, the doctor eventually converted to Buddhism, took Venerable Leguo as his teacher, received the Dharma name Daoxing, and transformed the Taoist site at Pak Sha Wan into a Buddhist practice ground.

While studying medicine, Venerable Daoxing, together with his traditional Chinese medicine teacher Teng Chongying, raised funds to purchase the current site of Foguang Temple, where they worshipped the Three Saints of Taoism. By 1975, Venerable Daoxing had an enlightened change of heart and embraced Buddhism. He designated the second floor of the Guanyin Hall as a shrine for the Three Jewels of Buddhism, while also enshrining Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva and Thousand-Armed Guanyin. The ground floor served as the reception hall. Although he converted to Buddhism, Venerable Daoxing did not forget his roots and kept the Taoist statues preserved behind the ground-floor reception hall.

Foguang Temple is situated on the mountainside of Sai Kung, overlooking Pak Sha Wan, offering pleasant scenery. Aside from worship, devotees can enjoy the beautiful view here, which brings a sense of mental relaxation and openness. The temple holds annual Buddhist services during the first lunar month, at the end of the year for Heaven Worship, and in July for the Ullambana Festival, gathering over a hundred participants. On Saturdays, regular group meditation sessions are held, attended by familiar devotees. In 1987, Venerable Daoxing passed away and instructed before his death that the temple affairs be entrusted to Bhikkhuni Guowen. Bhikkhuni Guowen then invited Venerable Baodeng, the abbot of Chanzhan Temple, to oversee major temple matters. By 1996, Bhikkhuni Guowen succeeded as the abbess. To this day, there are five bhikkhunis in the temple, making it a nuns-only pure practice site.

Transportation Guide

Location: Tai Chung Hau, Pak Sha Wan, Sai Kung, Hong Kong

Transportation: Take Citybus route 698R; KMB routes 292P, 92, 96R, 792M; or New Territories minibuses routes 101M, 12, 2 to get there.