The Big Buddha (Hong Kong)
There are 5 biggest Buddha in China. They are 'North Yungang Buddha', 'Centre Longmen Buddha', 'West Leshan Buddha', 'Tian Tan Buddha'.
Introduction
The Tian Tan Buddha is a large statue of the Buddha, located at Ngong Ping, Lantau Island, in Hong Kong. The statue is named 'Tian Tan Buddha' because its base is constructed as Tian Tan-the Temple of Heaven in Beijing. Also it was known as the Giant Buddha, it is the world's tallest outdoor seated bronze Buddha. The Giant Buddha statue sits peacefully on a lotus throne on top of a three-platform altar. It symbolizes the harmonious relationship between man and nature, people and religion. If you look carefully on it, you may find that the Po Lin Monastery is at the bottom of the hill, the one with a large yellow roof. It acts as a major centre of Buddhism in Hong Kong.
This Buddha is one of the main sightseeing points in Hong Kong. It was built in 1990 and finsihed on the date of 29th December 1993, when is the birthday of Sakyamuni. Visitors can also go to visit the nearby Po Lin Monastery. Po Lin Monastery is the largest and most well known monastery on Lan Tau Island, which is the largest island in Hong Kong. Po Lin Monastery is known as the "Buddhist Kingdom in the South," serving as a Buddhist retreat. During the Qing Dynasty, Po Lin was built by three Zen masters in 1920. The main temples had been painted vermillion interiors with dragons and many different other Chinese mythical figures on the walls and the ceilings.
Feature of structure
The Buddha is 34 meters high and it weighs 250 ton. The most special thing about The Buddha is that it faces the North, instead of South. The opening ceremony was very serious and respectful.
The construction costs of the giant Buddha are up to $68 million. This world's tallest Buddha can even be seen as far as from Macau on a clear day. Visitors have to climb 268 stairsteps in order to reach the Buddha. It is fantastic to view the full picture of Lantau Island and the South China Sea in the altar high above. Beside being a famous resort of Hong Kong, the construction of the Buddha also reveals Hong kongers' respect to Buddhism.
The Buddha is of serenity and dignity. His lenient facial expression and gesture seems to be delivering blessings to all mankinds and give a feeling of peace. He lifts the right hand, representing the removal of affliction. His left hand is lying on the knee, signifying happiness of all mankinds. On May 22, 1999 (the eighth day of the fourth moon), it is the 2 543th birthday of Buddha and since then Buddha's Birthday has became a public holiday in Hong Kong.On Buddha's birthday, many Buddhists and vistors go to worship the Tian Tan Buddha.
Construction process
The world's tallest outdoor seated Buddha "Tian Tan Buddha" , which weighs 250 tones, was formed by 202 pieces of bronze. It spent about three years to complete these 202 components and they were lastly assembled in 1989.The Buddha was formed piece by piece of body parts like the head, hands and legs because it is impossible to build a statue over 40 meters in one piece in terms of tachnology.In addtion to the exterior components, there is a strong steel framework inside the statue to support the heavy dead load as well as the wind pressure. Totally it took about 10 years for construction. The Buddha was consecrated in 1993 and now it is sitting 33.95 meters high at Ngong Ping.Besides there are 8 bronze statues, which are immortals or Gods, surrounding the giant Buddha.
Ritual
As many as 13 monks from different countries, including China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan, Thailand, Korea, Malasia, Singapore, Sri Lanka and America, were invited to hold that ceremony.The public was first allowed to visit this Giant Buddha in December 1993. The Monastery and the Buddha open to public for visit at 10:00 and close at 17:45. Under the statue there are three floor and an exhibition hall is inside. Also, vegetable meal will be served from 11:30 to 17:00.
Souvenir
Besides exhibition, there are shops selling buddha-related souvenirs like necklaces outside. There are also vegetable meals in the restaurants outside the Buddha. A card with Tian Tan Buddha printed on it will be given to visitors free of charge as a souvenir.
Museum & Relic Exhibition
There is also a museum inside the statue. The museum consists of three parts, 'The Hall of Universe', 'The Hall Of Benevolent Merit' and 'The Hall of Remembrance. In the museum, you can see the holy Buddha relic. Relic is the remains of cremation. According to the Buddhism, relic will only be formed for the one who have no urges in their lives like Sakyamuni and other holy monks.And the relics of Sakyamuni are hardest and more than eighty four thousand relics were form in the cremation of Sakyamuni.
The entrance fee for the exhibition is $20 dollars, and the entrance fee will be waived for those who bought the vegetable meal package. It is worth to have a look.
Travelling
This Buddha is one of the main sightseeing points in Hong Kong. Visitors can also go to visit the nearby Po Lin Monastery. Now Tian tan Buddha become a must on the tourist schedules. Not only can it attract tourists visiting the big buddha, but also it can become one of the main places to introduce Hong Kong. Also, there is a beautiful scene around the Buddha. One special thing is that there is a tea garden near the monastery, and it is the only tea garden in Hong Kong. Visitors can also go to enjoy the sun rise at the Lantau Peak, which is the second highest mountain in Hong Kong. It is a luxury experience.
Transportation
Buses travel from Tung Chung and Lantau Pier to Ngong Ping. The location of The Buddha is very near to the Hong Kong International Airport in Chak Lap Kok so it is very convenient for visitors from any other countries. For those local people of Hong Kong, they can take ferry at the Central Pier to Silvermine Bay (Mui Wo) and then take buses to get there.
Buses
No. 2 Silvermine Bay (Mui Wo) ↔ Po Lin
No. 23 Tung Chung ↔ Po Lin
There are projects for a cable car carrying tourists from Tung Chung to the Buddha. And the cable car will be built directing from Tung Chung to Ngong Ping. The Mass Transit Railway Cooperation (MTRC) which is responsible for MTR in Hong Kong is going to complete the Cable Car Project. The budget is about $750 million and will provide about 300 job vacancies. It was estimated that the cable car project is going to be completed in Year 2006.
