Deer once roamed here. Now, we stand at Luk Wu Tung. It is a place on Lantau Island in Hong Kong. The name Luk Wu Tsuen means Deer Lake Village. The area looks like a lake.
Luk Wu is one of the five major Buddhist sites on Lantau Island. Ngong Ping, Keung Shan, Tei Tong Tsai, and Man Cheung Po are the others. Here in Luk Wu, you will find temples and gardens.
Let’s talk about some specific places in Luk Wu.
First, there is Luk Wu Chin She. It is the oldest temple in the village. It was built in 1883. This was during the early days of British rule. Luk Wu Chin She sits above the Deer Pond area. It started as a Taoist temple.
Next is Yin Hing Monastery. This monastery is more recent. It was completed in 1966. It has a bright framework. Two green guardian lions protect it. Yin Hing Monastery became a columbarium after being sold.
Gak Su Temple is another key site. In 1997, the first of its four buildings was donated. It went to Su Bong Zen Monastery. They manage and maintain the temple. Monks, nuns, novices, and laypeople come for meditation retreats. Sim Pak Lam, Jing Yu, and Lotus Shelter later joined Gak Su Temple. They provide facilities and lodging. People travel from all over the world to practice here.
Finally, there is the Amitabha Buddha Temple Project. In 2019, Plum Village Hong Kong got a house in Luk Wu. Three nuns donated it. The house was built around the 1950s. It is currently being renovated.
As we explore, remember the deer. They once graced this landscape. They gave Luk Wu its name. Today, Luk Wu offers a different kind of sanctuary. It is a place for spiritual reflection. Temples and monasteries dot the area. They invite visitors to discover peace.