Tsz Shan Monastery

Tsz Shan Monastery (慈山寺) Tsz Shan Monastery is a prominent Buddhist temple situated in Tung Tsz, Tai Po District, Hong Kong. The monastery is notable for its 76-meter tall bronze-cast statue of Guan Yin, a revered figure in Buddhism. It is located in a scenic area, with Pat Sin Leng mountain range behind it and Plover Cove Reservoir in front. The monastery covers an area of approximately 500,000 square feet.

The construction of Tsz Shan Monastery was completed in April 2015, and it was opened to the public in the same month. The project was initiated by Mr. Li Ka-shing, the founder of the Li Ka Shing Foundation. The Foundation has reportedly invested over HK$3.3 billion in the project, covering costs for land acquisition, construction, and ongoing operational expenses.

In 2015, following the opening of the monastery, Mr. Li Ka-shing expressed his belief in the soothing and soul-nourishing qualities of Buddhist art. Motivated by this belief, he spearheaded the development of the Tsz Shan Monastery Buddhist Art Museum, located beneath the Guan Yin statue. After extensive planning and preparation, the museum was officially opened to the public in 2019.

Architectural concept
Tsz Shan Monastery’s architectural style is inspired by the more solemn and elegant styles of the Tang, Northern Song, Liao and Jin dynasties, which existed over a period of about 600 years beginning in the 7th century.

The Monastery appropriates elements of nature in its planning as well. Tsz Shan Monastery is located on a hilly site with an expansive sea view to the front. The core of the monastery consists of three main buildings placed along a central axis. Each building and associated courtyard is placed on platforms rising up the hill, well defined with surrounding corridors. On another axis branching off from the Grand Courtyard, devotees are led into the presence of the colossal image of Guan Yin, passing the Universal Gate.

Throughout its halls and its grounds, Tsz Shan Monastery provides many spaces for contemplation, both open or intimate, formal or seemingly unplanned. But even inside its most stately buildings, nature is present throughout: dark African padauk wood, wavy white-grey granite, marble and bronze are the monastery's most important building materials. They are ones of texture and richness with a connection to origin.

Guan Yin statue
The Guan Yin (Avalokiteśvara) Statue has a height of 76 metres, comprising a 70-metre-tall bronze-cast white Guan Yin statue (including a three-tier bronze lotus platform) built upon a 6-metre high granite base. The statue is coated with white fluorocarbon self-cleaning paint and is modeled on sculptures of the Song dynasty.

Guan Yin has a compassionate and graceful demeanour and on her topknot there is a small image of Amitābha, implying the blessings and protection received through his immeasurable power. In her right hand she holds a wisdom maṇi pearl and in her left hand a vase, from which she pours pure water to cleanse the phenomenal world. She wears a keyūra necklace and her clothes drape elegantly. Her body leans forward as she looks down from above on all beings, guiding them to enlightenment with her compassion and wisdom.

Spiritual practices
According to traditional Buddhist teachings, tea meditation, water offering, Zen calligraphy, and walking meditation are all important practices in everyday life, reminding us of the importance of persistence in taming one's mind. Even in the face of chaos and confusion, one has to retain awareness to take care of the deluded mind. Through these practices, Tsz Shan Monastery wishes that every visitor can re-establish the habit of taking care of the mind as a way to nurture positive energy, in order to respond to the needs of body and mind in a proactive way.