峨嵋山 Er Mei Shan, China

I finally fulfilled my wish to revisit Er Mei Shan 峨嵋山 in summer season, 5 years after my last visit in Winter period of 2008. Time flies!

 

JinDing 金顶 was originally foggy but when we reach the top, the fog dispersed and we had a good clear view of the symbolic Hugh stature of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva (普贤菩萨Puxian Pusa) :-)

 

The Bodhisattva welcomes us with serene smile and good weather.

Beneath the stature is actually a shrine and it is surrounded by levels of glass containers which are offerings of lights by devotees.

 

The famous Golden Top Temple (HuaZhanSi)

 

The Silver Temple (WoLongChanSi) on the left.

 

We were reminded of the 10 Great Aspirations of the Samantabhadra Bodhisattva.

 

We are encouraged to follow His example in All 10 Directions (Symbolised by the 10 faces too).

 

We are certainly grateful for the good weather we had for the trip as after we descended from the area, then the fog gathers again & we were told that we were fortunate as some visitors could not have as clear view as we had.

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Taiwan Gaoxiong Pindong Wu Liang Guang Fo Si 台灣高雄屏東無量光佛寺

 

 

 

  Path that Venerable will do her 3 Steps, 1 Bow in the evening towards the Standing Amitabha Buddha stature

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Located at the suburb of Taiwan Gaoxiong Pindong 台灣高雄屏東, 無量光佛寺 (Wu Liang Guang Fo Si) is surrounded by plantations and mountains.

The air there is fresh and the landscaped garden is like a mini paradise painstakenly maintained by the Venerables and lay devotees (Volunteers are greatly welcomed).

The garden with chalet-alike meditation huts shown above is inspired by the abbess, Venerable Rongyi (融一法師)'s visit to Europe in her earlier days.

 

She welcomes devotees to visit the place and group practice can be arranged.

The hall can accommodate comfortably about 400 participants for retreats.

If you are interested to spend some days or weekends in monastic life, you could also arrange to join their morning chant session from 5am and work as volunteers with them in the day. (Ref: http://tw.myblog.yahoo.com/wlscywlscy/article?mid=3677&l=f&fid=37)

 

 

Wu Liang Guang Fo Si is located at Taiwan 高雄屏東縣新埤鄉餉潭村進化路12-280

電話: 08-7981389

Fo Guang Shan (Taiwan-Kaohsiung) 台灣高雄佛光山

台灣高雄佛光山 Fo Guang Shan at Taiwan, Kaohsiung (Gaoxiong)

 

 

 

 

 

The Main Shrine of the 3 Buddha surrounded by mini Buddha statues simulating Dun Huang cave environment

Very worth visiting, serene feel...

 

 

 

 

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The Pureland Cave simulation

(much like S'pore Haw Par Villa feel)

 

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The 500 Arhat statues in the open

 

 

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The new Memorial center ~ Grand

(About 15mins walk from Main Shrine, one is recommended to take their tram car to their Memorial center Front Hall which hosts commercial activities)

 Thereafter, one still has to passby 8 pagodas (4 at each side) which also have different themes of exhibition before reaching the great Memorial center main hall where the Hugh sitting Buddha is (introduced as the Tallest & Largest copper-made sitting Buddha in the world).

 

 

 

Photo-taking is not allowed in the Great hall beneath the Great Copper Sitting Buddha stature.

From the entrance, you will first come into contact with the Guanyin Hall followed by the Golden Buddha Hall (Golden Sitting Buddha stature donated by the Thai King) and the Jade Buddha Hall (Very serene with the White Jade Reclining Buddha at centre and the colorful carvings of the Eastern and Western Pureland on left & right of the Jade Buddha. At the centre also hosts the Relics of the Buddha.)

The Great Hall also hosts 4 exhibition halls incorporated with modern technology effect and also a 4D cinema on the Life story of the Buddha.

The Jade Buddha Hall (with the Western Pureland carvings) is my personal favourite at the memorial center and I feel the energy is really good there, not to miss visiting it if you are there.

 

Fo Guang Shan is located at No.153, Xingtian Rd., Dashu Dist., Kaohsiung City, Taiwan (高雄市大樹區興田里興田路153號)

Telephone: 07-6561921 Ext. 6213

Opens from 8.30am-5.30pm (been told there is accomodation within FGS that can be arranged if one is interested to stay longer)

One will need more than half a day to have a good tour of the Main Shrine area and the new Memorial Hall.

There are shuttle buses outside the Memorial Hall to nearest MRT (JiuQuTang)  as well as to Bus Transport station beside Kaohsiung Railway Station (abt 45min  & NT91, there is a 7.50am bus departing from Kaohsiung & last bus from FGS back is 5.40pm)  

More info on transportation can be found in this weblink: http://www.fgs.org.tw/fgs/fgs_traffic.aspx

 

Oh, and there are at least 4 Waterdrop Teahouse within the FGS premises with different themes and one can relax and have a break in the relaxing environment. There is also free food & tea provided in the dining hall near the Main Shrine served by friendly volunteers. One could easily spend a day there so suggest to start visiting the place early in the morning. :-) 

台灣高雄屏东县 力健山 Li Jian San

 

 

 

 

 

相思树

 

While climbing Li Jian San (力健山) which has similar treks like S'pore's Bukit Timah Hill, as I was just concentrating on the climbing and catching my breath, I didn't really realise the beauty of the place till I relook at some of the pictures taken of the beautiful surrounding sky and trees. :-)

Oh, there are 2 rest stops at top of the hill whereby you could have a good meal to regain your energy :-P