Buddhism in Hong Kong | |
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pinyin Indonesian Religious demographics | Zà Dóngbàzène hønh Kinshi Panag Na Neggan ta bantan Buddha Hong Kongtan Hindu, Buddhist, Jain, Sikh, Chinese religionists, Taoist, Muslims, Christian |
Buddhism is a major religion in Hong Kong and has been greatly influential in the traditional culture of its populace. [1] Among the most prominent Buddhist temples in the city there are the Chi Lin Nunnery in Diamond Hill, built in the Tang dynasty's architectural style; the Po Lin Monastery on Lantau Island, famous for the outdoor bronze statue, Tian Tan Buddha, which attracts a large number of visitors during the weekends and holidays.
Buddhist organizations and temples in Hong Kong have long been involved in social welfare and education. The Hong Kong Buddhist Association with close to 10,000 members operates a dozen primary and secondary schools, and elderly homes as well as centres for youth and children in Hong Kong. [2] [3] It also runs the Hong Kong Buddhist Hospital, which was founded in 1971. [4]
Under the leadership of the former Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa, the Hong Kong government formally recognised the influence of Buddhism in Hong Kong. In 1997 the government designated Buddha's Birthday as a public holiday, which replaced the Queen's birthday holiday. Tung himself is a Buddhist and participated in major, widely publicised Buddhist activities in Hong Kong and China.
Academic studies and research of Buddhism in Hong Kong have thrived over the past decades. The University of Hong Kong established a Centre of Buddhist Studies (CBS) in 2000. [5] The Chinese University of Hong Kong also has a Centre for the Study of Humanistic Buddhism. [6] The Buddha-Dharma Centre of Hong Kong (BDCHK) was established in April 2012 by Ven. Prof. K. L. Dhammmajoti and his post-graduate students from CBS, with primary aims to promote the study and research of Buddhism through academic courses and publications, and to integrate Buddhist study and spiritual praxis. [7]
Most denominations of Buddhism can be found in Hong Kong, including schools from the Theravada, Mahayana and Vajrayana traditions, as well as from many geographical origins.
Although Theravada Buddhism remains a minority tradition mainly practiced by immigrants from Theravada Buddhist countries, there have been interest from a growing number of local Hongkongers. [8] There are a handful meditation groups that based on Vipassana Meditation, [9] and some Buddhist centres catered to Burmese and Sri Lankan Buddhist communities in Hong Kong. [10] Ven. Prof. K. L. Dhammmajoti who had retired from HKU in 2014, established the Aloka Vihara where he conducts weekly Pali devotional chants for lay followers. [11]
The majority of Thais in Hong Kong are adherents of Theravada Buddhism. In Hong Kong, there are four Thai Buddhist temples altogether and they are located in Ngau Tam Mei of Yuen Long, Shun Shan San Tsuen of Shap Pat Heung, Ha Pak Nai of Tuen Mun and Tai Po Tai Wo. [12]
Buddhist organisations in Hong Kong from the Tibetan tradition include Diamond Way Buddhism, a network of lay Buddhist centres in the Karma Kagyu tradition, founded by Lama Ole Nydahl and under the spiritual authority of the 17th Karmapa Trinley Thaye Dorje.
The Soka Gakkai International has an estimated 50,000 members in Hong Kong. The local association is called Soka Gakkai International of Hong Kong (HKSGI) and it promotes peace, culture and education based on the principles of Nichiren Buddhism. [13]
Sangha is a Sanskrit word used in many Indian languages, including Pali which means "association", "assembly", "company" or "community"; In these languages, sangha is frequently used as a surname. In a political context, it was historically used to denote a governing assembly in a republic or a kingdom, and for a long time, it has been used by religious associations, including Buddhists, Jains and Sikhs. Given this history, some Buddhists have stated that the tradition of the sangha represents humanity's oldest surviving democratic institution.
Religion in Hong Kong is characterised by a multi-faith diversity of beliefs and practices.
Humanistic Buddhism is a modern philosophy practiced by Buddhist groups originating from Chinese Buddhism which places an emphasis on integrating Buddhist practices into everyday life and shifting the focus of ritual from the dead to the living.
The Buddhist flag is a flag designed in the late 19th century as a universal symbol of Buddhism. It is used by Buddhists throughout the world.
Hong Kong Buddhist Association is a Buddhist umbrella organisation in Hong Kong which was founded in 1945. The association has nearly ten thousands individual members including both monastic and laity, and promotes the propagation of Buddhism in Hong Kong. It also provides a series of charity services in Hong Kong, including education, medical, child care, youth activities, elderly care and burial.
The Dharma Realm Buddhist Association is an international, non-profit Buddhist organization founded by the Venerable Master Hsuan Hua in 1959 to bring the orthodox teachings of the Buddha to the entire world. DRBA has branch monasteries in many countries and cities, including San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, and Vancouver, as well as in Malaysia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Australia.
The four big families of Hong Kong is a term used to describe the four business families who historically rose to prominence and became influential in Hong Kong. In order of influence, they are Li, Ho, Lo and Hui family.
Virginia Yip (葉彩燕), is a Hong Kong linguist and writer. She is director of the Childhood Bilingualism Research Centre. She is a professor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Her research interests include bilingual language acquisition, second language acquisition, Cantonese, Chaozhou and comparative Sinitic grammar, psycholinguistics, and cognitive science.
K. L. Dhammajoti is a Buddhist monk from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He was ordained according to the Theravada tradition of Buddhism.
Yakupitiyage Karunadasa is a Sri Lankan scholar in Buddhist Studies. His main areas of specialization are Early Buddhism and Theravada Abidhamma.
Bodagama Chandima Thero was born on the 3rd of February, 1957, in Thanamalwila, Sri Lanka. As of 2015 he taught Theravada Buddhism in Taiwan. With a group of Taiwanese Buddhists, he founded the Theravada Samadhi Education Association in Taipei.
Richard Jun Hong Lu, also known as Lu Tai Zhang by his followers, was a Chinese-born Australian Buddhist faith healer and the founder of the Guan Yin Citta Dharma Door religious movement (觀世音菩薩心靈法門). During his lifetime, the Guan Yin Citta Dharma Door garnered praise from regular and new Buddhist followers, but also drew controversy among some Buddhist organisations.
Hong Kong Buddhist Hospital is Buddhism founded
Ashin Nandamālābhivaṃsa, commonly known by his position as Rector Sayadaw, is a Burmese Theravada Buddhist monk who currently serves as the rector of Sitagu International Buddhist Academy, and an associate head of Shwegyin Nikaya. He also served as the rector of the International Theravada Buddhist Missionary University.
The Hong Kong Japanese School and Japanese International School (HKJS&JIS) is a Japanese international school in Hong Kong. It consists of a Japanese section and international section. The Hong Kong Japanese School Limited operates the school system.
The Wu Chung Library, named after Wu Chung, is located in the United College of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK). As one of the seven libraries in CUHK, the United College Library houses the Philosophy collection, major Chinese monograph series collection and General Education collection, and provides facilities including 24-Hour study facilities, Group Study Rooms and Outdoor Reading Area.
Joanna Tse Yuen-Man was a Hong Kong pulmonologist who died during the SARS epidemic in Hong Kong after volunteering to save patients with the syndrome.
Hong Kong Buddhist Cemetery is a private cemetery located in Cape Collinson, on Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong. It is managed by The Hong Kong Buddhist Association (香港佛教聯合會). The cemetery was completed and opened in 1963.