Phật Quang Sơn Tự - A complete guide to exploring the 'Buddhist Capital of Taiwan' from A to Z.

Where is Phật Quang Sơn Tự located?

• Address: Dongling Road, Dashi District, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
• Distance from the city center: 36.1km
• Travel time: 37 minutes

Phật Quang Sơn Tự, also known as Phật Quang Sơn Temple, is located on Dongling Road, Dashi District, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. It serves as the headquarters of the International Buddhist organization, Phật Quang Sơn, and is the largest Buddhist monastery in Taiwan. The Phật Quang Sơn spiritual complex in Taiwan is grand in scale, with unique architecture that reflects the characteristics of Mahayana Buddhism.

Phật Quang Sơn Temple is perched on the top of a mountain, surrounded by a chain of towering peaks and breathtaking landscapes. The temple faces east, overlooking the Cao Ping River as it gently meanders through the mountain pass. During your visit to the temple, you’ll not only experience its sacred atmosphere but also enjoy the stunning natural beauty that surrounds it.

Phật Quang Sơn Temple - The Buddhist Capital of Taiwan

The History Behind Phật Quang Sơn Temple

Phật Quang Sơn Temple was constructed between 1967 and 1974, taking around seven years to complete. The temple was initiated by the renowned 20th-century monk, Master Tinh Van, who purchased 30 hectares of land in the Dashi District and started the building process. Master Tinh Van was widely recognized for spreading humanistic Buddhist teachings across the world.

Monk Tinh Van and his disciples transformed Phat Quang Son from a relatively unknown place into a spiritual destination for Buddhists both locally and internationally. Today, Phat Quang Son Temple is recognized as the only 'Buddhist Capital' of Taiwan and remains an essential stop on any tour of Kaohsiung.

Phat Quang Son Temple in Taiwan has been under construction since 1967

Ticket prices and opening hours

Find updated details about the opening hours and ticket prices below:

- Admission to Phat Quang Son Temple, Taiwan: Free of charge

- Opening hours:

• Monday - Friday: 9 AM - 6 PM
• Saturday - Sunday: 9 AM - 7 PM
• Phat Quang Son History Museum: Closed every Tuesday

The unique architecture of Phat Quang Son Temple, Taiwan

Phat Quang Son Temple, Taiwan, spans an area of 100 hectares, laid out in the shape of a lotus flower. The temple's architecture draws inspiration from the Indian Stupa and the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya, India, a sacred Buddhist site, while retaining distinct elements of ancient Chinese Buddhist style.

The architecture of Phat Quang Son Temple showcases a perfect blend of art and spirituality, reflecting the key features of Mahayana Buddhism. The temple complex includes 8 stupas, 4 main pagodas, 48 underground chambers, 8 celestial halls, and tens of thousands of Buddha statues in varying sizes.

Upon entering through the gate, you will step onto a long path lined with large white gravel. On either side of the path, 8 symmetrical pagodas stand, symbolizing the Eightfold Path in Buddhism.

Phat Quang Son Temple features unique and impressive architecture

At the end of the main path, you will reach Bodhi Square, surrounded by 480 Buddha statues, each 40 meters tall, depicting the life of the Buddha. In the center of the square stands the towering 108-meter-high Sitting Buddha statue.

Next, you will reach the Quan Phat Da Monument, a seven-story building dedicated to the deities of Chinese Buddhism. This structure houses 48 underground chambers, also known as the 48 Earth Halls. Each of these halls opens once every 100 years, allowing visitors to explore and learn about the activities of people during various historical periods.

Notable attractions at the temple

According to Taiwan travel experiences, to fully enjoy your visit, you cannot miss the super interesting attractions at the temple listed below:

The Great Buddha of Phat Quang Son

At the heart of Phat Quang Son Temple lies the Bodhi Square, home to the world's tallest seated Buddha statue. Surrounding the statue are four white stupas, each representing one of the Four Noble Truths: Suffering, the Cause of Suffering, the End of Suffering, and the Path to the End of Suffering.

The statue is cast from 1,872 tons of bronze, standing at a total height of 108 meters, including the pedestal. The body of the Buddha statue contains the 'Wan Bao Heart Sutra,' which includes 100,000 hand-copied versions of the Heart Sutra, transcribed by hundreds of exemplary Buddhists.

The right hand of the Great Buddha is raised, symbolizing the Buddha's mission to save all beings and bring light to the world. The left hand is raised in a welcoming gesture, inviting all to enter the sacred and peaceful land of the Buddha.

The Great Buddha of Phat Quang Son: The Tallest Buddha Statue in the World

The Buddha Memorial Center

To honor and preserve one of Buddhism's sacred relics, the Buddha's tooth relic, the Phat Quang Son Buddhist Memorial Center was established. The central building stands at 50 meters tall and covers an area of 13 hectares, with unique Sino-Indian architectural fusion. The foundation is made of sandstone, while the tower's body is constructed using Chinese granite.

The Memorial Center consists of three halls: the Avalokiteshvara Hall, the Golden Buddha Hall, and the Jade Buddha Hall. Inside the Jade Buddha Hall is where the Buddha's tooth relic is kept. Visitors and locals can come to offer incense, worship, and pray for peace, health, and happiness at these halls.

The White Jade Reclining Buddha in the Jade Buddha Hall

The Sutra Repository

The Sutra Repository, covering 5000m2 at Phat Quang Son Temple, is a sacred space that houses the physical body of the abbot, preserved behind a cloth cover. Each wall is decorated with the handwritten characters of the monk. Additionally, it serves as a treasure trove of priceless Buddhist scriptures and texts. From the Sutra Repository's courtyard, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the Cao Binh River and the distant city of Pingdong.

The Main Hall of the Temple

The Main Hall of Phat Quang Son Temple was constructed in 1975. Part of the foundation of the Main Hall uses diamond stones from India, the place where Buddha attained enlightenment and delivered his teachings. This symbolizes the continuity of the Buddha's Dharma.

Inside the hall are statues of various Buddhas, including Sakyamuni Buddha, Bhaisajyaguru Buddha, and Amitabha Buddha. In addition, there are 14,800 statues of Sakyamuni Buddha surrounding the main hall.

The pathway leading to the Main Hall is paved with beautiful, neat square tiles and concrete, known as the Path to Buddhahood. This path can accommodate over 10,000 people at once.

The Main Hall of Phat Quang Son Temple

The Buddha's Tooth Relic

The Buddha's Tooth Relic is regarded as the supreme treasure of Buddhism. It is said that when Buddha entered Nirvana, he left behind only four intact teeth. One of these was taken to the heavens, while the remaining three remained on Earth.

Currently, there are three Buddha's teeth in the world: one is kept at Phat Quang Son Temple, while the other two are located in China and Sri Lanka. The Buddha's Tooth Relic is currently preserved and worshipped in the Jade Buddha Hall at the Phat Quang Son Buddhist Memorial Center.

The Buddha's Tooth Relic is preserved at the Jade Buddha Temple

The Noble Eightfold Path

Along both sides of the road leading to Phat Quang Son Tu, you'll encounter eight towers arranged symmetrically, symbolizing the Noble Eightfold Path in Buddhism. Each tower stands seven stories high with a square base, reaching a total height of 38 meters. These towers not only boast stunning architecture but also embody the profound teachings of Buddhism.

The towers of the Noble Eightfold Path are constructed from reinforced concrete, with exterior walls clad in durable granite. The base is adorned with yellow sandstone, and the roofs are covered with bird-shaped tiles. At the top of each tower is a spherical structure made of copper, shining brilliantly when illuminated by the sun.

The 8 stupas symbolize the Noble Eightfold Path

Experience visiting Fo Guang Shan Temple

What is the best time to visit?

The best time to visit Fo Guang Shan Temple is during spring (March - May) or autumn (September - November). These seasons offer cool, comfortable weather in Taiwan, perfect for outdoor sightseeing activities.

If you visit during the summer, it's best to explore after 3 PM to avoid the harsh midday sun. If you time it right, you can stay to witness the breathtaking sunset behind the Great Buddha statue.

Sunset at Fo Guang Shan Monastery Taiwan

Where to stay when visiting a temple?

For a more convenient visit to Fo Guang Shan Monastery, consider staying at one of the hotels after your trip to Kaohsiung.

Recommended hotels near Fo Guang Shan Temple, Taiwan

A guide to reaching Fo Guang Shan Temple

From Vietnam to Kaohsiung

Several airlines operate flights from Vietnam to Kaohsiung, including Vietjet Air, Vietnam Airlines, EVA Air, China Airlines, and more. The flights land at Kaohsiung International Airport. Below are the flight fare details from Vietnam to Kaohsiung:

Flight fare from Vietnam to Kaohsiung

Từ Cao Hùng tới chùa

Sở hữu vị trí thuận tiện nên cách đi chùa Phật Quang Sơn Đài Loan tương đối dễ dàng. Từ trung tâm thành phố Cao Hùng tới chùa bạn có thể chọn đi bằng taxi, tàu cao tốc, tàu hỏa, xe bus. Cụ thể:

• Nếu đi taxi: Hãy đặt lộ trình đến 佛光山佛陀紀念館 hoặc Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum
• Nếu đi tàu cao tốc: Đi THSR đến ga Tả Doanh (Zuoying), chuyển tiếp sang xe bus Harvard Express E02 đến trạm dừng Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum.
• Nếu đi tàu hỏa: Đi TRA đến ga Phong Sơn (Fongshan), chuyển tiếp sang xe bus Dashu Blessing đến trạm dừng Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum

Hướng dẫn di chuyển đến Phật Quang Sơn Tự

Other useful tips

Here are some helpful tips to consider when visiting Fo Guang Shan Monastery to ensure a well-prepared trip:

• Dress neatly and respectfully, and speak and move quietly in keeping with the spiritual atmosphere of the place.
• Check the weather before your visit to pack the appropriate gear.
• Smoking and littering are prohibited when visiting Fo Guang Shan Monastery, and fines may be imposed.
• There are many vending machines within the temple grounds, so you don't need to bring drinks with you.
• Consider purchasing meaningful spiritual souvenirs to give as gifts to loved ones and friends.
• Foreign visitors may be guided by monks who speak English in various areas of the monastery.
• You can find an English audio guide of the temple's various sections on the official Fo Guang Shan website: https://www.fgsbmc.org.tw/en/index.aspx, which will help enhance your visit.

Visiting Tips for Fo Guang Shan Monastery in Taiwan

The architectural complex of Fo Guang Shan Monastery holds a rich religious history with many precious Buddhist artifacts and documents on display. This makes it one of Taiwan's most popular tourist destinations, attracting visitors from all over the world. When you visit this religious site, you will surely be amazed and awed by the architecture and the spiritual atmosphere, which Taiwan has preserved in its most authentic form. So, why wait? Come to Kaohsiung and explore Taiwan's most mystical 'Buddhist capital' now!

If you're new to independent travel, you can quickly book a full-package tour of Taiwan through Mytour Travel. The tour will take you to Kaohsiung and visit Fo Guang Shan Monastery. A guide will provide detailed information about the history, architecture, and cultural significance of this impressive spiritual site. Contact the hotline at 1900 2083 for consultation today!

Author: Phuong Thao

Image source: Internet