Dinghui Temple, Hong Kong

　　   Originally named “Lanruo Garden,” Dinghui Temple was initiated by Venerable Zengxiu. The Venerable, whose lay surname was Huang, was from Kaiping, Guangdong. He was ordained at the age of 22 at Dajue Temple on Seven Star Crags in Zhaoqing, and later went northward to seek Dharma teachings. At the age of 38, he came to Lingyun Temple on Mount Guanyin in the New Territories for spiritual practice. During this time, he befriended many Hong Kong dignitaries and entrepreneurs, forming beneficial connections. Due to the inconvenient transportation to and from Lingyun Temple, some devotees proposed establishing another monastery. Guided by the disciple of the eminent monk Tezhan from Lingyun Temple, who was Venerable Zengxiu’s lay follower, he began searching for land to build a temple around Taoyuan Cave in Tai Po. Eventually, he found the present site on Mawo Mountain, raised funds to purchase over ten thousand square feet of residential land from the government, and leased more than one hundred thousand square feet of farmland. After two years, the temple was completed and named “Lanruo Garden,” reflecting its serene atmosphere. Later, since the character “Lan” sounded similar to the Cantonese word for “excessive” (“lan”), the devotees requested a name change. In 1963, the temple was officially renamed “Dinghui Temple.”

　　   History

　　   The Venerable Zeng searched along Taoyuan Cave in Tai Po and eventually found the current site of Dinghui Temple on Mawo Mountain. He then raised several tens of thousands of dollars to purchase over ten thousand square feet of residential land from the government, as well as more than one hundred thousand square feet of agricultural land. After two years, the temple was built and named “Lanruo Garden,” symbolizing tranquility. Later, because the character “Lan” was often confused in Cantonese pronunciation with “Lan” meaning “excessive,” the devotees requested a name change, and the temple was finally renamed “Dinghui Temple” in 1963.

　　   In the decades following the completion of Lanruo Garden, the region suffered frequent wars and turmoil. To protect the ancestral temple and ensure the peace of the monastics, the Venerable Zeng shuttled frequently between Qingyun Temple, Lanruo Garden, and Po Lin Monastery on Lantau Island. In 1934, a new Mahavira Hall was constructed next to the building of Lanruo Garden. During the Anti-Japanese War, the Venerable Zeng took in many monastics fleeing the conflict. However, as food supplies gradually dwindled, the monks chose not to burden the temple further and left. Only the Venerable Zeng resolved to stay and safeguard the monastery. In 1951, the monastics of Po Lin Monastery on Lantau Island, recognizing the Venerable Zeng’s respected status, rigorous precepts, and virtuous conduct, elected him to serve as abbot of Po Lin Monastery. During his tenure, he accomplished many achievements. A year later, he resigned and returned to Lanruo Garden. In 1963, with long-term sustainability in mind, the Venerable Zeng registered Lanruo Garden as a non-profit organization and renamed it Dinghui Temple. He appointed eminent monks such as Fa Ke, Xichen, Maorui, Xulang, and Xiuhui as permanent board members, forming a board of directors to manage temple affairs. The temple was also transformed into a public monastery (Ten Directions Sangha), open to monastics and lay practitioners alike for spiritual cultivation.

　　   In the spring of 1966, at the age of 84, the Venerable Zeng retired from the position of abbot, and was succeeded by Venerable Maorui. Subsequent abbots included the Venerables Leguo and Ruitao. After the latter passed away, the affairs of the temple were managed by Venerable Renhui, chairman of the board of directors, who made great contributions by constructing the Universal Memorial Pagoda and the Memorial Hall for the Venerable Zeng. Venerable Renhui, whose secular name was Ngan Siu Tung, was an early graduate of the University of Hong Kong. In his youth, he became deeply interested in Buddhism and formed an inseparable bond with it, although he did not become a monastic until he was nearly 70. By that time, his wife had passed away, and his children had grown and started their own families, so he went to Po Lin Monastery to become ordained. In 1988, Venerable Renhui passed away, and his family donated a legacy of one million five hundred thousand Hong Kong dollars for the renovation of the Buddha Hall. The specific renovation project was planned and carried out by the board of directors, and was completed in May 1993 at a total cost of over two million Hong Kong dollars, generously supported by donations from devotees. After the renovation, the Mahavira Hall became magnificent, solemn, splendid, and resplendent in gold, coinciding with the grand rededication ceremony for the 70th anniversary of Dinghui Temple, adding even more joy to the occasion.

　　   Transportation Guide

　　   Address: No. 53, Mawo Village, Tai Po Market, Tai Po District, Hong Kong

　　   How to get there: Take New Territories minibuses route 20S to Mawo Village, then walk to the temple