Beginning of 10,000 Buddhas

Why did the Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery become a haven for an eccentric collection of statues? The Beginning of 10,000 Buddhas in Hong Kong is more than just a staircase. It’s a whimsical procession of life-sized golden figures, each with a unique personality. As you begin your ascent at the Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery, you’ll be greeted by a playful array of characters. These aren’t representations of Buddha himself, but rather Arhats, enlightened Buddhist practitioners. The 400+ steps wind upwards, revealing a bizarre and captivating cast of golden figures. The Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery, despite its name, isn’t actually a monastery. It’s a series of temples and a pagoda, founded in 1949 by the Reverend Yuet Kai. He and his disciples, fueled by devotion, hand-carried materials up the mountain, completing the buildings in eight years. It took another decade to craft the over 12,800 unique Buddha statues that reside within the Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple. The lower portion of the grounds houses the Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple. Inside, over 12,800 uniquely carved Buddha statues fill the space, each one a testament to artistic dedication. At the heart of the temple, the preserved body of Reverend Yuet Kai rests, a silent guardian of his creation. Ascending further, a nine-story pagoda overlooks the city. This very pagoda graced the Hong Kong $100 bill from 1985 to 2002. Surrounding the pagoda, more captivating statues stand guard. Four additional temples await discovery: The Temple of The God of Heaven, The Canddi Buddha Temple, The Kwun Yam Temple, and The Temple of the Nei Tor (Amita) Buddha. Each temple houses a distinct Buddha statue, inviting worship and contemplation. From this vantage point, the view of the metropolis below is breathtaking. The Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery offers a unique blend of spiritual significance and artistic eccentricity.