Continuing with Hong Kong (Lantau island Lo Hon Monastery)

Lo Hon Monastery

Situated on the hillside of Sunset peak within the district on Tung Chung, surrounded by lush green vegetation and behind by mountains. Changyuan was a monk who came from the western province of Guangdong to Hong Kong in the 1926. He came across a cave and settled in, it was known as “Lo Hon Grotto”, (Arhat’s cave). Then in the1960s came lay practitioners and they became enchanted by the surrounding countryside that they then made it there home, the place was good for teaching and studying the Daoism.

With the permission of monk Changyuan the name of the grotto was change to the name that is used today of ” Lo Hon Monastery”.

The monastery was finished in 1974 and it housed some great halls with the main hall being “The Great Hall” which is12 meters high laid out in such a way it gives a sense of space. Outside to guard the monastery are two stone lions sitting, watching, waiting for any unwanted intruders. Inside the hall is a splendor of buddhists statues that include the likes, of Sakyamuni, Maitreya and Bhaisajyaguru and the Weituo Bodhisattva. The last statue is of the Guardian Bodhisattva holding his Green Dragon Sword and with striking facial features, his eyes staring out.

There are three more halls the fist is “Guanyin hall “. Guanyin Bodhisattva sits holding a willow branch and a vase that contains water purified, she gazes on with compassion.

The next hall is “Ksitigarbha hall, inside sits Bodhisattva Ksitigarbha upon his head is the five-buddha crown in his hands he holds pearls that will mean to light his way to heavenThe last hall is “Memorial hall” this is a place of shrines, the remains of the lost ones well lit with sense of calm and grace. There are gardens that are laid out to catch your eye, at the end of the garden theres a large pond with a statue, once again watching, waiting, keeping a eye over the beautiful gardens. There is of course the Lo Hon cave it is said that once inside all time disappears with the cool air in summer and warm air in winter. The only way to feel its enhancement is to go and visit the cave, pictures cannot describe feelings.

There is also a well catered restaurant that serves vegetarian dishes, these are set menus and cost $60 hkd Transportation From Tung Chung buses 11, 3m 21, 3m From Mui Wo buses 3m (disembark at Shek Mun Kap.) My next article is on Po Lam Monastery.

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