Hong Kong Miaofa Temple

Hong Kong Miaofa Temple

Miaofa Temple is located on Castle Peak Road in Lam Tei, north of Tuen Mun. It is renowned for its unique architecture, which adapts to the local terrain. The four-story temple forgoes the traditional multi-courtyard layout of Buddhist monasteries, instead dividing the main hall into three levels: the ground floor houses the Maitreya Hall and the Four Heavenly Kings Hall, the second floor contains the Dharma Hall, and the top floor includes the Ten Thousand Buddhas Main Hall, the Thousand-Armed Guanyin Hall, the Skanda Hall, and the Scripture Depository. The massive red pillars and glazed tile roof create a solemn and magnificent atmosphere, with golden Buddha statues exuding dignity and grace. In addition to adhering to traditional monastic design, all statues, reliefs, and decorations intentionally promote Buddhist teachings while preserving the artistic style of traditional Chinese Buddhist architecture.

Building Temples and Nurturing Talent

The founding abbots of Miaofa Temple were Venerable Xichen and Venerable Jinshan. Venerable Xichen was from Fuxian County, Liaoning Province. At the age of 11, he ordained under Elder Tonghai at Chao Hai Temple, and at 23, he received the full precepts from Elder Dingxi at Prajna Temple in Changchun. He then went to Zhan Shan Temple in Qingdao to study under Elder Tanxu, where he met Venerable Jinshan and the two became close friends. Venerable Jinshan was from Wutai County, Shanxi Province. At the age of 8, he ordained at Zuns heng Temple on Mount Wutai under Elder Lingzhen, later receiving the full precepts from Elder Han kong at Hange Temple, and then studied under Elder Huiguang at Zhengjue Temple in western Beijing.

Venerable Xichen and Venerable Jinshan moved to Hong Kong in 1948 and 1949 respectively, joining Dong Pu Tuo Temple. Venerable Xichen noticed that there was no Buddhist practice site in Central Hong Kong, making it inconvenient for monks from the New Territories to find lodging when visiting the city for errands or medical needs. He thus resolved to establish a monastery. In 1950, the two masters founded Miaofa Hermitage on Jacob’s Ladder in Central, teaching Tiantai Buddhism, practicing Pure Land Buddhism, observing the summer retreat, hosting lay practitioners, and organizing Buddhist lectures. In 1960, they purchased land in Lam Tei, New Territories, establishing a monastery open to all Buddhists, naming it Miaofa Temple. It included a care home for elderly women with no support. In 1961, with the support of Venerable Minzhi, the Nei Ming College from Lantau’s Tung Chung was relocated to Miaofa Temple and operated under his leadership as dean.

In 1964, the Nei Ming College added an English secondary school section. In 1966, Venerable Xichen was elected president of the Hong Kong Buddhist Monastic Association. In 1969, they rented the campus of Jewish Girls' School on Fuk Wah Street in Kowloon to establish the Hong Kong Buddhist College, moving to a new campus on Yee Kuk Street in 1970. In 1971, they built a seven-story building, renaming the “Hong Kong Buddhist College” to “Hong Kong Nan Yan College.” Venerable Xichen served as supervisor, and the institution gained recognition as a university from Taiwan.

Exceptional Temple Architecture

In 1973, Venerable Xichen constructed the Miaofa Temple Ten Thousand Buddhas Hall and an English secondary school next to the temple. With generous funding from benefactors such as Mr. Lau Kam Lung (son of Mr. Lau King Fook), Mr. Lee Yee, and Mr. Lee Jing, along with donations from devotees, the new school was completed and named Miaofa Temple Lau Kam Lung Secondary School in their honor. The Ten Thousand Buddhas Hall was completed in May 1980 at a cost of HK$60 million. Its grand inauguration featured a ceremony for a thousand monks, marking an extraordinary occasion.

Covering 7,800 square feet and standing 110 feet tall, the Ten Thousand Buddhas Hall is resplendent with gold and splendor. The rockery and flowing water fountain in front showcase exquisite craftsmanship. A pair of giant golden dragons, unique in Hong Kong for their height reaching the third floor of the temple, encircle the red brick pillars of the entrance, exuding a majestic presence. Stone lions, qilin, and two six-tusked white elephants stand guard at the entrance, creating an impressive and auspicious atmosphere.

The central entrance enshrines a statue of Maitreya Buddha, flanked by the Four Heavenly Kings. The double-tiered roof is covered with gleaming glazed tiles, visible from afar. The upturned eaves are adorned with ceramic animal ornaments, and at the center sits a stupa guarded by two golden dragons, representing the highest point of the hall.

The staircase leading to the second floor features bas-reliefs depicting stories of the Buddha. The second-floor Dharma Hall also serves as a dining hall, accommodating over 40 tables, and houses a jade Buddha niche. Further up, more bas-reliefs and the sword-bearing guardian deity Skanda can be seen. The main hall enshrines the Three Buddhas; three large pear-shaped crystal chandeliers hang from the ceiling, while beams are painted with scenes from the Buddha’s life. The walls are inlaid with ten thousand golden Buddha tiles, each with unique hand gestures, modeled after the Golden Buddha Hall in Beijing’s Summer Palace, creatively bringing Beijing’s “Wisdom Sea” to Hong Kong. Sixteen arhats, crafted as bas-reliefs, are inlaid along the side walls with exquisite detail. Two more towers of Bhaisajyaguru (Medicine Buddha) stand tall, their surfaces covered with miniature Buddha images, stacked layer upon layer. The hall is adorned with numerous palace lanterns, and bells and drums hang on both sides. Listening to the morning bell and evening drum amidst the Dharma sounds helps purify the mind and transcend worldly concerns. Corridors on all sides lead to the Scripture Depository, housing precious scriptures in Thai, English, Pali, and Burmese, gifted by Thai monastics, available for public reference.

In the summer of 1971, Venerable Xichen pioneered the concept of “short-term monasticism” in Chinese Buddhism—organizing an annual “Tonsure Ceremony” hosted by the Hong Kong Buddhist Monastic Association. Conducted as a summer camp at the hermitage, it aimed to allow the public to experience monastic life and mindfulness. Due to increasing participation, the event moved to the newly built main hall of Miaofa Temple in 1979. It returned to the hermitage in 1995 due to temple reconstruction.

Transportation Guide

Address: Lam Tei Main Street, Tuen Mun District, Hong Kong

Getting There: Take B2 bus; KMB routes 258P, 263M, 53, 63X, 68A, 960P