The Tsing Shan Monastery (a.k.a. Castle Peak Monastery) is situated at the foot of Castle Peak

Castle Peak, Hong Kong

Castle Peak or Pui To Shan is a 583 m high peak in the western New Territories of Hong Kong.In contrast to its Chinese name, which means green hill, Castle Peak is notorious for its severe loss of vegetation and weathering of its Granite surface.The area to the west of the hill was also named...

, Hong Kong

Hong Kong

Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...

. The Monastery is graded as Grade I historic building.

Overview

Inside there are the Pui To Pagoda, Tsing Wan Koon and the Tsing Shan Temple. These historical monuments have stood through the ages in the tranquil wooded area. The striking and picturesque surroundings create an enjoyable view as well as a solemn ambiance. Upon entering the Monastery, you will perceive the words "香海名山" (Fragrant Sea and Prestigious Mountain) engraved on the portico. It is a caption by the former Governor

Governor of Hong Kong

The Governor of Hong Kong was the head of the government of Hong Kong during British rule from 1843 to 1997. The governor's roles were defined in the Hong Kong Letters Patent and Royal Instructions...

 Sir Cecil Clementi

Cecil Clementi

-Early life and education:Born in Cawnpore, India, Clementi was the son of Colonel Montagu Clementi, Judge Advocate General in India, and his wife, Isabel Collard. He attended St Paul's School and Magdalen College, Oxford, where he studied Sanskrit and the classics. In 1895, he won the Hertford...

. On the reverse side you will see the words "回頭是岸" (Repentance is Salvation), an inscription by Reverend Tit Xim. Both the surroundings and the inscriptions give you an astounding insight into the Monastery's inimitable past. Originating from Shiwan

Shiwan

Shiwan is a town located in the southwest of the city of Foshan, with a land area of 38,0000m2 and a population of 42,700. Shiwan has a long history of ceramic sculpture, with many vivid works by generations of craftsmen. Its 5000-year-long ceramic making history has accumulated the rich and...

, the crest tile of the archway is a delicate art treasure.

Origin

According to legend, an Indian monk who liked travelling in a wooden cup was believed to have lodged where the Monastery now stands. Attracted by the natural wonders and the serene milieu, he built a chalet there for practicing meditation

Meditation

Meditation is any form of a family of practices in which practitioners train their minds or self-induce a mode of consciousness to realize some benefit....

. Since then, the name of Reverend Pui To

Pui To

Pui To was a Buddhist monk living at the time of the Liu Song Dynasty in the Southern and Northern Dynasties.The legend has it that he once went to Tuen Mun in the New Territories of Hong Kong to construct roads, and he lived at a big cave at the present day Castle Peak...

 (杯渡禪師, lit. travelling in a cup) has become widespread. In memory of him, his followers built a pagoda

Pagoda

A pagoda is the general term in the English language for a tiered tower with multiple eaves common in Nepal, India, China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam and other parts of Asia. Some pagodas are used as Taoist houses of worship. Most pagodas were built to have a religious function, most commonly Buddhist,...

 at the place where he formerly resided. At the back of the pagoda was a statue of Reverend Pui To. The time of construction, however, cannot be ascertained. Some say the Pui To Pagoda was built in the Jin Dynasty

Jìn Dynasty (265-420)

The Jìn Dynasty , was a dynasty in Chinese history, lasting between the years 265 and 420 AD. There are two main divisions in the history of the Dynasty, the first being Western Jin and the second Eastern Jin...

 and redeveloped in the Song Dynasty

Song Dynasty

The Song Dynasty was a ruling dynasty in China between 960 and 1279; it succeeded the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period, and was followed by the Yuan Dynasty. It was the first government in world history to issue banknotes or paper money, and the first Chinese government to establish a...

. Regular maintenance works has kept the historical relic's original appearance intact.

Adjoining to the Main Worship Hall is Ching Wan Koon, which is dedicated to Dou Lao, a goddess who is believed to be able to relieve people from their worries.

The Tsing Shan Temple is the top of the three oldest temples in Hong Kong. Inside the Temple, there is a main worship hall. Walking up the stairs leading to the hall, the writing "一切有情、同登覺地" (which means Everything on Earth Has Ties and Reaches Nirvana Together) could be seen. The peaceful environment of this Buddhist Temple offers an abiding sense of harmony.