Wai Chuen Monastery, Buddhist temple in Pai Tau Tsuen, Sha Tin District, Hong Kong.
Wai Chuen Monastery is a Buddhist temple located in Sha Tin District, sitting among residential buildings while displaying traditional Chinese Buddhist architecture with stone walls and curved roofs characteristic of the style. The complex includes multiple structures, meditation halls, and garden spaces that together form a self-contained spiritual sanctuary.
The monastery began as a small stone hut that grew into a significant religious center after Venerable Ji Xiu arrived as the first Abbot in 1924. His leadership established the foundation for the temple's expansion and long-term development as a spiritual community.
The monastery serves as a center for Chan Buddhist practice, where visitors encounter daily meditation routines and rituals that shape the spiritual life of the community. The place embodies Buddhist values through the visible dedication of its residents to contemplative living and their commitment to maintaining traditional monastic ways.
The monastery is located on Pai Tau Street in Sha Tin and can be reached by MTR to Sha Tin Station or several bus routes including 85K, 86K, and 170. Visitors should expect a quiet setting and check in advance about visiting times and any restrictions on photography.
The monastery practices a system called 'Farming and Chan' where agricultural work intertwines with Buddhist meditation, shaping the daily life of residents. This integration of physical labor with spiritual practice sets it apart from many other religious centers.
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