Hong Kong Yuanyuan College

　　Hong Kong Yuanyuan College was founded in 1946 by Zhao Yuxiu, the uncle of the college’s board chairman Zhao Zhendong, among others, and is situated in Sam Dip Tam, Tsuen Wan, New Territories, Hong Kong. Because Zhao Zhendong’s father had once practiced Taoism on Mount Luofu in Guangdong, the college has doctrinal ties to Mount Luofu. The college is characterized by the unity of Taoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism. Its name—Yuanyuan Xue—symbolizes this blend: “Yuan” (圆) represents Buddhism, “Xuan” (玄) stands for Taoism, and “Xue” (学) denotes Confucianism. Yuanyuan College venerates the deities of the Three Teachings, and upholds the tenet of “promoting the Three Teachings and advocating the Eight Virtues.” It was registered as a charitable organization in 1956 and has actively promoted philanthropic causes and educational initiatives.

　　As a place for spiritual cultivation, under the leadership and planning of several generations of chairpersons, the college’s Taoist activities have continuously expanded, and its facilities have gradually taken shape. Structures such as the Mingxing Hall, the Three Teachings Archway, the Zhizhilexian Pavilion, the Baoben Hall, the Airi Pavilion, the Three Teachings Grand Hall, the Eight Virtues Stele, the Longhua Building, the Scripture Depository, the Yuanchen Hall, the Yashi Gallery, and the Tao Te Ching Stele have been completed one after another. The temples, pagodas, lecture altars are solemn and majestic, while the pavilions, towers, ponds, and gardens exude tranquility and classic charm. It serves not only as a sacred site for worshippers to pray and seek blessings, but also as a popular destination for both locals and tourists.

　　In 1957, Taoist Master Zhao Yuxiu took over as the board chairman. Master Zhao strongly advocated the common origin of the Three Teachings, stating that “the great source of the Tao comes from heaven, and the virtues bestowed upon the human heart by heaven are universally good… the teaching of enlightening the mind and seeing one's true nature is profoundly moving in all three teachings—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 Lord, and Confucius the Great Sage. The completion of the Three Teachings Grand Hall marked a new phase in the development of Yuanyuan College.

　　The main structure of Yuanyuan College is the Three Teachings Grand Hall, which has two levels. The upper level enshrines the Supreme Taoist Deity, the Great Sage Confucius, and Sakyamuni Buddha, while the lower level houses the Sixty Earthly Branch Deities. On both sides of the front of the grand hall are the Bell Tower and the Drum Tower. There are also the Guan Di Hall, the Lü Zu Hall, and alchemy rooms. In front stands a stone archway, and within the compound there are sculptures, ponds, gardens, a vegetarian restaurant, and a columbarium. It is one of the largest Taoist temples in Hong Kong. Yuanyuan College operates under a board system. The college not only features increasingly substantial architecture but is also planning further expansion. It also includes a library housing scriptures of the Three Teachings and related texts. In December 1985, it hosted the “International Research Conference on Traditional Taoist Ritual Music.” The college is highly supportive of educational initiatives and the maintenance of Taoist temples in mainland China, and it built the large-scale Yuanyuan Welfare Centre in Huaxian, Guangzhou.

　　Within Yuanyuan College, the Mingxing Hall enshrines Guan Sheng Di Jun (Lord Guan), Lü Zu Xian Shi (Lü Dongbin), Guanyin Bodhisattva, and Ji Gong (Ji Gong the Mad Monk). On the lower floor of the grand hall, the Yuanchen Hall enshrines Doumu Yuanjun and the Deities of the Year Stars. During the birthdays of these deities, worship ceremonies are routinely held to pray for blessings. The halls are bustling with worshippers who offer incense to pray for peace, disaster relief, and longevity. The college hosts resident Taoist scripture reciters who are responsible for conducting rituals, prayers, and other Taoist services. There are also spirit tablets and a columbarium. The college holds annual events such as the Lantern Festival, the Ullambana Festival, and the Yuanchen Blessing Ceremony to honor the Buddha and ancestors, dispel calamities, and pray for peace.

　　Guided by the principle of “Taoist Education,” the college promotes traditional Chinese values and is dedicated to character building. Since the 1980s, it has successively established three secondary schools, one primary school, and five kindergartens, providing comprehensive education for students and children of appropriate ages. The college frequently collaborates with domestic and international scholars to hold seminars on Taoist academia, rituals, and music. It has also partnered with Sichuan University on the research project “The History of Science and Technology in Chinese Taoism” and funded the publication of the “Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism Doctoral Dissertation Series” and other publications promoting the Three Teachings. The college’s Scripture Depository and Yashi Gallery collect classical scriptures from various dynasties and art artifacts to preserve them for posterity.

　　Yuanyuan College supports and participates in various charitable welfare and recreational 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 initiatives such as sports festivals, art festivals, fireworks shows, and light displays organized by the various subcommittees under the Tsuen Wan District Council.

　　Transportation Guide

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

　　Getting There: Take New Territories green minibus route 81