FO GUANG SHAN PART I

On our trip to Fo Guang Monastery we decided to take the public bus directly from Kaohsiung bus terminal at Nan Hua Road. We looked for a signboard going to Qi Shan / Mei Nong / Jia Xien or Liou Guei that will take us to the monastery. Our travel took us less than an hour to reach the place. Entrance is free.

bus terminal
Kaohsiung

facade of the monastery
Kaohsiung

Kaohsiung

Kaohsiung

entrance
Kaohsiung


Founded in 1967, Fo Guang Shan (literally "Buddha's Light Mountain") is an international Chinese Mahayana Buddhist monastic order. It has many chapters around the globe. The headquarters of Fo Guang Shan, located in Kaohsiung is the largest Buddhist monastery in Taiwan. The organization itself is also one of the largest charity organizations in Taiwan.

Avalokitesvara pond (I wonder why there wasn't any water)
Kaohsiung

along the way

The monastery complex is huge and boasts a number of interesting scenes such as Pure Land Cave, Great Compassionate Shrine, Great Wisdom Shrine and Great Practice Shrine, just to name a few.

non-duality gate
Kaohsiung

a bookstore inside the monastery
Kaohsiung


The Pure Land Cave is pretty interesting as it uses the styles of cave architecture combined with Buddhist art and sculpture.

Pure Land Cave
Kaohsiung

Kaohsiung

Kaohsiung

pure land cave's gift shop
Kaohsiung

Kaohsiung


Then we went to Great Compassionate Shrine. Along the way is the Pilgrim's Lodge offering dining and accommodation needs for the devotees.

ascending the stairs at the Pilgrim's Lodge
Kaohsiung


Great Compassionate Shrine covers an area of 800 square meters, and is 20 meters in height. Inside the shrine is the six meter white statue of Guan Yin.

Kaohsiung

guan yin
Kaohsiung


"Because of deep mercy and compassion for the living beings of the Saha world, Guan Yin made vows to overcome the sufferings and pain of all living beings, and thus manifests countless transformation bodies to heed the cries of this world and liberate all. Thus she is known as the great compassionate one."


Note: This is the first half of a two-part article of Fo Guang Shan Monastery.


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