James Baquet

    MANY visitors to Shenzhen are familiar with Hongfa Temple in Fairy Lake Botanical Garden, the largest Buddhist temple in the city. In fact, I have been told by many that it is the only Buddhist temple here.

    But in fact, there are several others. One of them is just a short ride from my home in Xili, at Shiyan Lake (bus 392 from Window of the World underground station terminates).

    In contrast to the almost carnival atmosphere at Hongfa, the smaller Hongyuan Temple is a peaceful paradise.

    Lately, however, it has been subject to the sound of jackhammers and power tools. Sponsored by the larger Hongfa, its mother temple, Hongyuan is expanding. In addition, some of the existing buildings have undergone a facelift.

    I have been watching the progress on my twice monthly visits, and am happy to say that one phase will be completed, and a new hall opened, in the middle of October.

    The main hall and its three bronze figures (Puxian, the Bodhisattva of Great Practice; Shakyamuni, the historic Buddha; and Wenshu, the Bodhisattva of Wisdom) are receiving their last touches of new paint. And the new hall behind the main hall is nearly complete.

    The new building joins the four halls already standing: The Heavenly Kings Hall, with its Laughing Buddha, Four Kings, and Weituo; the Drum and Bell Towers, with Guanyin and Dizang respectively; and the main hall with the above-mentioned figures plus the 18 Arhats around the edges.

    Head out to Shiyan to see what’s new and scoop up some peace and quiet!