Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery — Attraction in Hong Kong

The visit to the Temple of Ten Thousand Buddhas was a wonderful experience, bar the slightly exhaustive climb up a gentle but long flight of about 400 steps. Once you have reached the final step, you will be rewarded, visually and spiritually. There are definitely more than 10,000 Buddhas! They come in different shapes, sizes and designs. If you are not pressed with time, stand in front of the Buddhas & Guanyins a little longer and give them the time they each deserve. Appreciate the craftsmanship that went into designing, making and sculpturing them. I haven't been to all the temples in Hong Kong but I do regard the Buddhas and Guanyins here as the best ones I have seen. What must be stressed is that each and every one of them is so welll-sculpted. The intricacy and artistry can be found on every piece - something that we rarely find in many Buddhist temples. You may choose to close your eyes, slow down your breathing, and listen to the singing of birds. Your mind and soul will soon be calmed and cleansed. This silence and tranquility may be broken by the shrieks of monkeys which hop with agility and precision from one roof of temple buildings to another. They, not too many, just two to three, are waiting for the right moment to jump down to snatch one of the apples or tangerine oranges sitting on the urn in the middle of the grand plaza as offerings to the Gods. The temple administration has prepared detailed information of the temple and its different sections. Scanning the QR codes at strategic locations will get you this information. If you can choose the time to go, go in the afternoon. A couple of hours before sunset would be ideal. You'll then have ample time to cover all of the temple grounds and the catch the golden rays of a setting sun hitting the faces of different Buddhas and Guanyins. You will also be more likely to meet the monkeys coz that's ...

It can be a unique and interesting experience with all the golden statutes along the 430 uphill steps (although quite gentle, it can be a challenge in hot and humidity summer) all the way to the monastery (comprised of 5 temples, 2 pavilions, one hall and a pagoda). Personally I'd not recommend if you're only staying in the city for a short time.

Other reviews tell it most. Here only supplement a few information that might not be very easy to find in English:

The statues along the stairs leading to the monastery. They are the 500 Arahats (五百羅漢）, built during year 2000 - 2002.

The "true body" of venerable Yuek Kai（月溪法師）. Master Yuek Kai was the first abbot in the monastery. He had profound knowledge of Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism. He also spoke English and French, and studied philosophy of the western culture. In 1938, the well traveled monk came to live in Sha Tin, and started to build the monastery. On April 24, 1965, the 87-year-old master Yuek Kai felt that his time on this earthly world was up, and asked his students that after he died, to keep his body in a niche and burry for eight months. At 8pm the same day, the master passed away in a sitting position like he was in meditation. When his obedient students re-opened the niche eight months later, it was said that the body shone in golden brown colour, with a clear face and beard, remained in a peaceful sitting position. His students then covered the body with paint and gold before placing it in the centre of the hall. This "true body", without preserved by any medical process, is still intact in a glass case in the monastery now through decades of humid subtropical weather in Hong Kong.

The Ten-thousand Buddhas pagoda (萬佛塔). The picture of the Pagoda was once printed on the Hong Kong one-hundred-dollar bill issued from HSBC during...

Man Fat Sze is one of the special temple attractions in Hong Kong and a nice place to visit during the Chinese New Year (CNY) holiday. Opening hours are 9 to 5.30pm daily.

It is a rather steep climb up the hillside to the temple grounds. However, the path is lined with gold gilded buddha statues that serve to distract you during the uphill trek. The path is completely paved and there are a handful of stopping point with a few park benches so you can rest when and where the need arises.

The temple grounds are on two levels. The main grounds are the first stop, which includes the main temple, with its inner walls lined with miniature statues of buddha as well as the temple relic - the Diamond Indestructible Body of Yuexi (founding Reverend Yuet Kai). There is attractive large scale Kun Iam Pavilion, a nine-story pagoda as well as other large scale statues of buddha and other gods to see at this level as well.

You can then climb to a second level, again walking up a much shorter inclined path, lined with more buddha statues. Here you will find a handful of smaller halls, statues and nice views over the city of Sha Tin.

During Chinese New Year, the temple grounds can be a bit busy and crowded by late morning onward. Many will be making food and incense offerings and if you are lucky you may see lion dances at the main temple. This is a nice thing to see at Man Fat Sze.

Note: Che Kung is another temple that is potentially worth visiting in Sha Tin during Chinese New Year. This is a famous temple for the holiday season which sees crazy crowds and queues which can extend all the way to the nearest MTR stations. This will discourage some, while intriguing others interested in the spectacle to be seen at this...