Lotus Palace

Lotus Palace

Lin Fa temple, located in the Lotus Street of Tai Hang, Hong Kong Island, was built around 1863. It is dedicated to Guanyin Bodhisattva, Taisui, Weituo and the God of yin and wealth. It is managed by the Chinese Temple Committee.

The front half of the temple is built on a platform and supported by stone pillars, while the back half is located on a huge stone. The front hall is semi octagonal with double eaves and a pointed roof, which is very rare in traditional Chinese buildings in Hong Kong. Lotus palace is closely related to the national intangible cultural heritage, the fire dragon dance in Dakeng. On the 14th of the 8th lunar month, the fire dragon with fragrant branches will visit the lotus palace to pray for the blessing of Guanyin before it begins its tour in Dakeng.

On May 17, 2010, the lotus palace was rated as a first-class historical building in Hong Kong by the Hong Kong Antiquities Advisory Board

. On October 24, 2014, lotus palace was listed as a statutory monument in Hong Kong under the Antiquities and monuments Ordinance.

Historical evolution

Lotus palace was built in 1863, which is said to be owned by Zeng family. At that time, the lotus palace was located on the huge stone at the foot of the Xianghai hillside and to the west of the old Dakeng village. It is said that whenever the tide comes to the bottom of the temple, the lotus palace is like a lotus in the water. Later, due to the continuous reclamation project, the lotus palace is located in the group of buildings.

Since 1975, the lotus palace has been managed by the Chinese Temples Committee.

In 1986 and 2014, the lotus palace was rebuilt by the Chinese Temples Committee.

Architectural features

The architecture of lotus palace is very unique, which can be classified as two-way architecture. The front hall is in the shape of a semi octagonal pagoda, with a double eaves and a pointed roof. The small balcony on the front is equipped with western style railings. Different from other traditional Chinese temples with two entrances and one patio, there is no patio between the front hall and the rectangular main hall (back hall) of lotus palace. The ceiling is hexagonal with golden dragon and auspicious clouds on it, while the tile ridge on the top of the temple is decorated with auspicious pearls, fish and lions.

There are arched openings and railings in the center of the facade of the lotus palace, and the entrance steps leading to the temple are set on the left and right sides of the front hall, which is different from other traditional Chinese temples whose main entrance is set in the center of the facade.

Cultural relics

Because the lotus palace is located on a hillside, the front hall is built on an arched stone platform, while the main hall with a herringbone top is located on a pile of rocks, one of which is exposed to the ground. The main hall is divided into upper and lower floors, with stone altar for Guanyin in the lower floor, Taisui hall and wooden Guanyin tower in the upper floor, and Weituo hall in the platform between the two floors.

There are many cultural relics in the lotus palace, such as the granite carving platform in 1864, the ancient bell in 1865, the stone altar in 1885, the color door in 1909 and the plaque in 1925.

History and culture

The reason of building Temple

Guanyin is a Bodhisattva of Buddhism. It is known for its compassion and universal salvation. It is said that Guanyin sits on the lotus to practice, so some Guanyin temples are also called lotus palace.

It is said that Guanyin once appeared on the lotus stone in the temple. In order to commemorate the holy mark, the villagers set up a temple to offer sacrifices. According to another research, at that time, South China was in the chaos of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, which had a profound impact on Guangdong. A large number of refugees fled to Hong Kong and lived near Dakeng. In order to stabilize the people, the elders built temples to worship Guanyin.

Traditional folk customs

During the four Guanyin birthdays (February, June, September and November 19 of the lunar calendar), the lotus palace is full of incense. The opening of the Guanyin library on the 26th of the first lunar month attracts nearly ten thousand good believers to borrow the library. The waiting team extends from the lotus palace to the East and west streets of the lotus palace, and the whole day is full of people.

In addition, the fire dragon dance in Dakeng before and after the Mid Autumn Festival is an annual event in the district. The fire dragon must make eyes and worship God in the lotus palace. Under the guidance of Longzhu, Tianmen and Yundeng, the fire dragon with fragrant branches shuttles through Huansha street in Dakeng and the streets and alleys in the district. On both sides of the street, there are colorful lanterns and gongs and drums to help celebrate. In addition, passers-by shouting, the scene is lively and spectacular. This traditional custom, which has been handed down for hundreds of years, has been listed as the third batch of national intangible cultural heritage in 2011.

Cultural relic value

Lotus palace is not only the oldest Guanyin temple on Hong Kong Island, but also one of the seven rated Guanyin temples in Hong Kong. In addition, the semi octagonal front hall of lotus palace is unique, which is very rare in traditional Chinese buildings in Hong Kong.

Lotus palace is also closely related to the fire dragon dance in Dakeng. It is an important historical landmark in Dakeng community.

protective measures

On May 17, 2010, the lotus palace was rated as a first-class historical building in Hong Kong by the Hong Kong Antiquities Advisory Committee.

On October 24, 2014, lotus palace was listed as a statutory monument in Hong Kong under the Antiquities and monuments Ordinance.

Tourism information

Address: Lotus Street, Tai Hang, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong

Opening hours: 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m

Public transport: Hong Kong MTR Tin Hau Station exit b, go straight along Causeway Bay Road for about 5 minutes, then turn to Lotus palace West Street.

Address: Lotus Street, Tai Hang, Hong Kong Island

Longitude: 114.1978480656

Latitude: 22.27676314464

Chinese PinYin : Lian Hua Gong