Visit Fo Guang Shan Temple – A famous Buddhist temple in Taiwan

Fo Guang Shan Temple is regarded as a significant spiritual destination in Taiwan, drawing numerous tourists and Buddhists each year. This complex is also recognized as a Buddhist heritage site of Taiwan. Let’s explore with Mytour what makes this place so attractive to visitors!

The History of the Fo Guang Shan Temple's Construction

Fo Guang Shan Temple, also known as Fo Guang Shan, which means 'The Light of Buddha,' is located in Kaohsiung. The Buddhist monument was built starting in 1967 by the famous 20th-century monk, Venerable Tịnh Vân. It took nearly nine years to complete the construction of Fo Guang Shan.

At first, this temple was not widely known. However, through continuous development, it gradually gained fame. The temple embodies the characteristics of Mahayana Buddhism and has become a central place for many Buddhists around the world.

The entire Fo Guang Shan Temple complex as seen from above (Image Source: Collected)

The temple is renowned for its large scale and prominence in Asia. This is what has made Fo Guang Shan Temple the only Buddhist capital in Taiwan. On regular days, the temple opens from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM. However, on weekends and holidays, it stays open from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM.

The Best Time to Visit Fo Guang Shan Temple

If you wish to visit Fo Guang Shan, it's best to avoid the summer as it can get extremely hot. However, if you are traveling to Taiwan during this time, it's recommended to visit the temple after 3:00 PM. The temperature will be lower and more comfortable. If you stay a few more hours, you'll also get to witness a stunning sunset.

At Fo Guang Shan, you'll find numerous vending machines offering drinks. Additionally, there are several cafes, restaurants, and gift shops. In fact, even the main building has a Starbucks. Although it’s a temple, the facilities here are quite modern!

During festival seasons, the temple is beautifully decorated (Image Source: Collected)

This destination is open to tourists every day of the week. Don’t worry if you’re a foreigner visiting the temple. Simply let them know where you're from, and you will be accompanied by a monk or a fellow Buddhist who speaks your language. This is truly a wonderful and convenient experience, isn’t it?

The Unique Architecture of Fo Guang Shan Temple

Before visiting Fo Guang Shan Temple, you might want to learn a bit about its architecture. To give you a clearer idea, here’s a summary of the details that Mytour has gathered for you!

1. The Layout of Fo Guang Shan Temple

Fo Guang Shan Temple spans a vast area of 100 hectares. The complex consists of 8 stupas, 4 main pagodas, 48 meditation halls, and 8 celestial temples. These elements are regarded as the essence of the Buddha’s Memorial Hall. From above, the entire layout resembles the shape of a lotus flower.

The eight pagodas are symmetrically arranged, symbolizing the Noble Eightfold Path. Each pagoda is impressively large, as if to protect those who enter the Buddhist realm. The pagodas are a striking shade of orange. At the top of each pagoda is a round golden copper orb that gleams brightly in the sunlight.

The grand entrance to Fo Guang Shan Temple exudes an air of solemnity (Image Source: Collected)

As soon as you step through the gate, you will find a path of white gravel. Many believe this path marks the journey of Buddhists seeking enlightenment. This tranquil scene is often compared to the Pure Land, bringing peace to the soul. Walking along this path, you will feel a sense of calm and purity in your mind.

At the end of the path lies the plaza, home to the great Buddha statue. No matter where you stand in the temple, you will be greeted by the Buddha’s compassionate smile. Surrounding the statue are four stupas, representing the Four Noble Truths. These elements alone give you a glimpse of the vast and majestic scale of the entire complex.

2. The Main Hall and the Path to Buddhahood at Fo Guang Shan Temple

The main hall of Fo Guang Shan Temple was built in 1975. It houses three seated Buddhas: the Medicine Buddha Bhaisajyaguru, Shakyamuni Buddha, and Amitabha Buddha. Additionally, the hall is surrounded by 14,800 statues of Shakyamuni Buddha.

Next to the main hall are two 9-meter-tall pagodas. This structure is symbolic of the Buddha's light shining down on all beings. Part of the foundation is made from stone brought from the Diamond Throne in India, the site where the Buddha delivered his teachings and attained enlightenment.

The temple is filled with numerous Buddha statues (Image Source: Collected)

This stone was made by an Indian king from clay taken from the Ganges River and mixed with grain powder. This detail gives insight into the meticulous care and attention invested in the construction of the temple. The use of this stone here symbolizes the continuation of the Buddha's teachings.

At the entrance to the main hall, there is a sign that reads "Temple of the Great Heroes". This plaque was written by the famous calligrapher Zhang Daqian (1899 - 1983). The square-shaped path leading to the main hall is called the "Path to Buddhahood", and it can hold up to 10,000 people.

3. The Great Earth Buddha Statue

The Great Earth Buddha Statue is one of the most prominent features of Fo Guang Shan Temple. Built in 1975, it is also one of the oldest landmarks here. Surrounding the 108-meter-tall Buddha statue are 480 smaller statues, each 40 meters high, depicting the life of the Buddha.

This large Buddha statue is considered the tallest in Southeast Asia, visible from several kilometers away. The image of the Buddha with raised hand symbolizes His bringing light into the world. His hand gesture seems to welcome all to this land of peace and tranquility. The statue is positioned on a lotus flower, which is also the entrance to the Great Earth Buddha.

The Great Earth Buddha statue with a compassionate smile stands out in the sky (Source: Collected)

Within the body of the Great Buddha statue are 100,000 copies of the Heart Sutra written by hundreds of individuals. The walls are adorned with inscriptions of repentance scriptures and the teachings of the Buddha, as well as 35 Buddha statues made of jade. At the end of the path lies the Bodhi Square and the Bodhi Buddha statue.

4. The Museum at Fo Guang Shan Temple

When visiting Fo Guang Shan Temple, don't miss out on the museum here! Previously known as the Memorial Center for Buddha, this museum is dedicated to the religious, cultural, and educational aspects of Mahayana Buddhism. The building is U-shaped and covers an area of 2.65 hectares. Its exterior resembles the Thousand Buddha Caves in China.

As known, the museum is constructed from a mix of building materials, including glutinous rice, yellow stone, lime, and brown sugar. It features 18 exhibition rooms filled with various statues, religious tools, calligraphy works, and more. If you want to learn more about Buddhism, this is the place to visit!

The museum area also includes 48 underground palaces. These palaces are used to document the history of humanity and preserve human civilization. Each chamber holds the essence of a century. The purpose is that in 4,800 years, future generations will learn about the lifestyles of people from different eras.

Currently, these palaces are closed to the public, so visitors cannot tour them. Every hundred years, one of the chambers will be opened. Although they are not accessible, this construction continues to attract the interest of many tourists.

Special Features at Fo Guang Shan Temple

Beyond its architecture, Fo Guang Shan Temple also houses many exceptional values. These interesting little details will help you understand the uniqueness of this temple even more!

The crowds visiting Fo Guang Shan Temple always seem to be very large (Image Source: Collected)

• Fo Guang Shan Temple is home to an extremely rare Buddha's tooth relic. According to records, there are only three Buddha's tooth relics in the world, and one of them is preserved here at the Jade Buddha Hall.
• The Great Buddha Statue has been recognized by the Guinness World Records as the tallest bronze Buddha statue in the world.
• Despite undergoing years of renovation and restoration, the temple has kept both the old and new sections intact. Therefore, when you visit, you will be able to explore both the old and new parts of the temple.
• Like many other Chinese structures, Fo Guang Shan Temple pays great attention to numbers. The design incorporates the number 8, a lucky number in Chinese culture. Notable examples include the 108-meter-tall Buddha statue and the eight pagodas on either side, each standing 88 meters tall...
• Within the temple grounds, there is a wall engraved with the names of benefactors, stretching several kilometers. These names belong to people from all around the world who contributed to the construction of the temple.
• In the exhibition area, there is a wax figure of Master Hsing Yun, the founder of the temple. The area provides detailed information about his contributions, along with calligraphy works that he personally wrote.

The information above should have helped you gain a better understanding of Fo Guang Shan Temple. This destination is sure to offer you a wealth of valuable knowledge. It would be a shame to miss out on this site during your journey. To book a tour to Taiwan, please contact the hotline 028 3827 0404 from Mytour today!