Tucked away on the slopes of Lantau Island, the Wisdom Path, or 心經簡林 as it’s known locally, invites contemplation. The Wisdom Path is an extraordinary outdoor museum. It showcases the Heart Sutra, one of the most revered texts in Mahayana Buddhism. Thirty-eight towering wooden pillars rise against the backdrop of the South China Sea. Each pillar is inscribed with a verse from the Heart Sutra. These verses, gracefully carved into the wood, create a visual symphony of Chinese calligraphy.
The Wisdom Path was conceived in 2003. It was built between 2004 and 2005. The project was officially opened on May 20, 2005. Its creation was inspired by a desire to offer solace and inspiration during a time of economic downturn in Hong Kong. Venerable Master Jih-Chang, a renowned Buddhist scholar, gifted his calligraphy of the Heart Sutra. His calligraphy was then transformed into this large-scale outdoor exhibit. The pillars are arranged in a ∞ pattern, symbolizing infinity. This infinity represents the endless cycle of life. The tallest pillar, however, intentionally bears no inscription. This symbolizes the Buddhist concept of emptiness or void.
The construction of the Wisdom Path, much like the nearby Ngong Ping 360 cable car, presented unique challenges. The remote location and lack of proper road access meant transporting the heavy timber pillars, each weighing 4-6 tons, required meticulous planning and specialized heavy-duty vehicles. Even the crane needed for installation had to be disassembled, transported, and then reassembled on site. Lantau Island is also a vital ecological area. It serves as a breeding ground for Romer’s tree frog. To minimize disruption to this sensitive habitat, construction was strategically scheduled between October and April, outside of the frog’s breeding season. The existing topography and surrounding trees were carefully preserved to maintain the natural environment.
The wooden pillars of the Wisdom Path are made of African Iroko wood. Each pillar is about 10 meters high. The calligraphy, carved deep into the wood, is approximately 600mm x 600mm in size. The carvings were done by three master calligraphers: Tang Ji-Sheng, Zhao Zhi-Xiong, and Li Guo-Quan. Tang Ji-Sheng has a notable history of carving Buddhist scriptures, with nearly 20 years of experience carving for Master Jih-Chang. The project was overseen by a technical committee led by Professor Lee Kwok-Yuen. This committee ensured the highest quality of craftsmanship and technical precision. The Wisdom Path also has its share of legends. Some whisper that the arrangement of pillars forms a feng shui formation. The pillars act as wooden stakes protecting a mythical deity enshrined at Ngong Ping Plateau.