DISCOVER THE SERENITY OF TAIWAN’S LARGEST BUDDHIST COMPLEX
If you’re looking to immerse yourself in Buddhist culture, spirituality, and stunning architecture, then Fo Guang Shan in Kaohsiung should be at the top of your list. Nestled in the hills between Kaohsiung and Pingtung, this monumental 100 hectare (almost 250 acre) complex encompasses Taiwan’s largest Buddhist Monastery and Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum.
A Brief History
Founded in 1967 by Venerable Master Hsing Yun, Fo Guang Shan – which translates to “Buddha’s Light Mountain” – has grown to become the largest Buddhist monastery in Taiwan.
On a philosophical level, the organization follows the Humanistic Buddhism approach, which emphasizes living an enlightened life in the modern world rather than retreating from it. Since its inception, the complex has expanded to include shrines, pagodas, cultural centers, and even a university.
Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum
With architecture that is nothing short of breathtaking, the Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum is one of Taiwan’s most impressive religious complexes. Built for the purpose of housing tooth relics of the Buddha and promoting Buddhism, the complex comprises a total of 48 underground palaces that contain additional Buddhist relics and artifacts. Multiple museums within the Main Hall showcase a selection of these treasures.
Dominating the horizon is the towering 108-meter tall bronze statue of Amitabha Buddha, which ranks among the largest sitting Buddha statues in the world. In front of the Buddha is a meticulously designed and well-maintained system of serene courtyards, meditation halls, towering pagodas, and intricate artworks.
The Front Hall
At the entrance, the Front Hall is bordered by the Gate of Perfect Ease and the Gate of Liberation. A five-meter-tall lion and an elephant stand on opposite sides of the hall’s entrance, symbolizing the Buddha’s teachings and Prince Siddhartha’s conception, respectively.
Inside, the Information Desk provides services such as wheelchairs and baby strollers for visitors’ convenience. Dining options include a variety of restaurants, a Starbucks, and a buffet.
The Eight Pagodas
The eight pagodas at Fo Guang Shan each symbolize distinct Buddhist teachings and principles, with each serving a unique purpose within the museum.
For example, the “One Teaching Pagoda” thematically focuses on the singular concept of “Humanistic Buddhism”, while also providing a multifunctional space for meetings and events.
Further down, the “Six Perfections Pagoda” is named for the Six Perfections, namely: giving, ethics, patience, diligence, meditation, and wisdom; while the interior features 3D video presentations on Master Hsing Yun’s calligraphy.
To view the rest of the Pagados and their themes, please visit the Fo Guang Shan interactive attraction map, or, refer to this static image map of the entire Fo Guang Shan complex.
The Main Hall and The Four Stupas
The Main Hall, inspired by Indian architecture, boasts a dome-like stupa design. Constructed with a yellow sandstone base and a rock body, this majestic structure reaches a height of 50 meters and enshrines the Buddha’s tooth relic.
Inside, three floors of museums, galleries and shrines are filled with precious Buddhist artifacts and enlightening presentations. Head to the Golden Buddha Shrine to visit the tallest seated golden Buddha statue in Southeast Asia, or visit the first floor to check out the 4D display of the Buddha explaining the Buddhist sutras and teaching the Dharma, just one of the many impressive permanent exhibits.
Be sure to leave time to visit the Jade Buddha Shrine, featuring a reclining Buddha carved out of precious white jade from Burma. Just above the jade Buddha statue, the enshrined Buddha tooth relic (one of three in the world) is visible.
Surrounding the Main Hall’s exterior, one can find The Four Noble Truths Stupas. Each of these towers enshrines one of the Four Great Bodhisattvas: Avalokitesvara (Compassion), Ksitigarbha (Vow), Manjusri (Wisdom), and Samantabhadra (Practice). According to Fo Guang Shan, seeing the Stupa is similar to seeing the Buddha, and visitors are welcome to visit the Stupas.
One Million Heart Sutras in the Buddha
A special initiative, titled “One Million Heart Sutras in the Buddha”, began during the construction of the statue. In hope of amassing one million copies of the Heart Sutra, worshippers from all over the world have been invited to transcribe their own version.
Visitors are welcome to participate in this event, praying for world peace, national happiness, and the fulfillment of their wishes. Copied Heart Sutras will be permanently enshrined in the Tasha Sutra Pavilion of the main building of the Buddha Memorial Hall.
It is said that the practice of transcription may help worshippers to understand the meaning of the sutras and experience the compassion and wisdom of the Buddha.
For information on how to participate, please contact the Fo Guang Shan branches, the Sutra Copying Hall of the Buddha Memorial Hall, and the various halls of the Buddha Memorial Hall.
The Big Buddha Terrace and Fo Guang Big Buddha
Behind the Main Hall is the Fo Guang Big Buddha. The statue took over a year to cast, and required nearly 1,800 tons of metal for its construction. Standing at a height of 40 meters with a 10-meter base, the entire structure reaches an auspicious 108 meters in Buddhism. This statue represents Sakyamuni Buddha.
We recommended setting aside a full day to take in the vast grounds of Fo Guang Shan. In addition to the Buddha Museum, the monastery next door also welcomes visitors. Remember to dress modestly to respect the religious nature of the site.
