The Ten Thousand Buddhas Hall is instantly recognizable for the spectacular red facade decorated with gold-colored patterns featuring two splendid dragons.
As you enter the main hall of the temple, the first thing you’ll surely notice are the approximately 13,000 gilded ceramic statuettes; again, no two are alike. They are about 30 centimeters tall, each one with a plaque with the name of the person who donated it to the temple.
Inside the hall, you’ll also see three large statues near a glass case called “The Diamond Indestructible”.
If you look closely at the content of the case, you’ll see that it contains not a sculpture, but the body of the founder of the temple which, in accordance with his wishes, was embalmed and arranged to be sitting in the lotus position.
At the center of the square is the richly decorated pavilion containing the white statue of the Goddess of Mercy, Kwun Yam.
Whichever way you turn, you’ll literally be surrounded by gilded statues, including the 18 depicting the first followers of Buddha, lined up to form the 18 Arhat Gallery.
The most surprising architectural construction is the nine-story pagoda, at the base of which you can see other statues, in resting positions, as well as gilded lions.
On each floor, along each of the facades, there is a little window with a little statuette looking out of it.
A winding staircase climbs up inside of the building to the top floor, where you’ll be rewarded with a marvelous view of the lush forest that surrounds the area and the skyscrapers of Hong Kong.
From this terrace, another 69 steps take you to the upper terrace where you’ll find other delightful buildings and pavilions.
An interesting fact: the monk Yuet Kai is said to have been able to make flames leap from the fingertips of one hand and to light 48 oil lamps before a statue of Buddha as a sign of his devotion.
Language: English