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Buddhism and Taoism, traditional Chinese religions, have a large local
following with more than 600 Chinese temples in the HKSAR. The major festival
of Buddhism is the Buddha's Birthday, which falls on the eighth day of
the fourth moon.
Buddhist and Taoist deities are often honoured together
in the same temple. Leading deities include Buddha, Kwun Yum (the Buddhist
Goddess of Mercy) and Lui Cho (a Taoist god). Besides this, deified mortals
such as Che Kung and Kwan Tai are revered in recognition of their feats.
Tin Hau, the Queen of Heaven and Protector of Seafarers, is worshipped
widely. During the Tin Hau Festival, which falls on the 23rd day of the
third moon, many worshippers visit the most famous Tin Hau temple, at
Joss House Bay on the Clear Water Bay Peninsula. Other leading deities
include Pak Tai (Supreme Emperor of the Dark Heaven and local patron of
the island of Cheung Chau) and Hung Shing (God of the South Seas and a
weather prophet).
Notable temples in Hong Kong include the Wong Tai
Sin Temple, named after a Taoist deity, Wong Tai Sin, located in the Wong
Tai Sin District in Kowloon. Nearby, the Chi Lin Nunnery in Diamond Hill
is a group of temple structures built in the architectural style of the
Tang Dynasty. The Po Lin Monastery on Lantau Island is famous for the
Tian Tan Buddha, a majestic bronze seated Buddha believed to be the largest
outdoor Buddha statue of this style in the world. It attracts many visitors,
especially during the weekends and holidays. Other well-known temples
include the Che Kung Temple in Sha Tin in the New Territories, and the
Man Mo Temple in Hollywood Road on Hong Kong Island. |
