Cham Shan Monastery, Buddhist temple in Sai Kung District, Hong Kong.
Cham Shan Monastery is a Buddhist temple located in the hills of Sai Kung District with multiple prayer halls and memorial shrines spread across its grounds. The structure extends across different levels and offers views of the bay and surrounding hills from various points.
The monastery was founded in 1964 and incorporates architectural influences from the Zhanshan Temple in Qingdao, reflecting connections to Chinese design traditions. This link to Chinese architecture demonstrates how traditional building elements shaped its overall appearance.
The monastery takes its name from Zhanshan Temple in Qingdao and follows the Tiantai school, unlike Hong Kong's mostly Pure Land and Chan temples. In 1998 Sri Lankan officials donated a relic of Shakyamuni Buddha and saplings from the Bodhi tree at the site of his enlightenment, both kept here.
The monastery stands at 73 Lung Ha Wan Road on the Clear Water Bay Peninsula, in the southern part of Sai Kung District, reached by the first and second junctions off Lung Ha Wan Road at Tai Au Mun. The grounds are split into two sections, the old halls and the Great Buddha's Hall, so allow time to walk between them. The site is an active monastery, so dress modestly and keep voices low.
The Great Buddha Hall is one of the largest dedicated prayer spaces for Buddha in Hong Kong and stands out for its size. Many visitors overlook this central hall, even though it forms the heart of the spiritual activities at this location.
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