Wong Tai Sin Temple Great Sage has all the answers.

Location On th-e upper edge of Wong Tai Sin Estate about 5 kms. from Tsim Sha Tsui, .

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Features This is an excellent example of a traditional Chinese temple. lt is a veritable riot of colour with its red pillars, golden roof and blue friezes, yellow lattice work and multi-coloured carvings. A traditionally carved granite archway separates the two terraces of the main temple and the splendid main hall has doors and windows all round it. In front is the courtyard where worshippers gather to have their fortunes told. Other temples in the grounds are dedicated to Buddha and Confucius. How to Get There Take the MTR to . From Central Station, Island, the journey takes about 20 to 25 minutes. Change to the at Mongkok Station (see location map). Fare: HK$4.50. Items of Interest Clinic Block (No. 8 on the Map)- This is where believers Rear Garden (No. 10 on the Map)- For just HK$1 it is Fortune Telling- Almost everyone who visits the temple can obtain their prescriptions as advisel:l in Wong Tai Sin's · possible to enter an elaborate Chinese garden located just to wants his fortune told and this is done with the aid ofa ' predictions at the Main Temple. the left of the main temple. There's a pond, rockery, waterfall bamboo container holding numbered sticks. Joss sticks are lit and a replica of the famous Nine Dragons mural in the The Hall of Buddha of Lighting Lamp (No. 9 on the Map)­ and the worshipper kneels down in front of the main altar Imperial Palace in Beijing. This Hall houses the Portrait of Buddha of Lighting Lamp. before making a wish and shaking the container gently until The sayings of the Buddha are engraved in the rock tablet to Soothsayers' Stalls (No. 11 on the Map)- The narrow lanes one of the sticks falls out. This stick is exchanged for a piece ensure the safety of those who seek its blessing. The portrait leading to the temple are usually crowded with stalls selling of paper bearing the same number. The 'fortune' written on represents "fire", the brick wall in front of the Hall represents joss sticks and colourful paper offerings, whilst, just beyond the paper is then interpreted by one of the soothsayers. "earth". them, is a row of soothsayers and palmists who will interpret The Main Temple (No. 2 on the Map)- The painting of the Wong Tai Sin's predictions for a small fee. Wong Tai Sin, displayed on the main altar, can only be seen through the open windows and doors and, usually, this is as far as anyone is allowed to go. Inside the hall, which has high ceilings, hang splendid chandeliers. A side altar is dedicated to the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, otherwise known as the Monkey God. This much loved rascal earned himself a place amongst the Buddhist divinities after he had been expel led by the Taoists for creating havoc in both heaven and hell'! Hall of Three Saints (No. 3 on the Map)- This hall is dedicated to the three religions - Buddhism, and Confucianism. There's a statue of the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy, Kwun Yum in the middle of the altar, with the Taoist martial god, Kwan Ti, on her right and one of the Taoist Eight Immortals, Lui Tung Bun, on her left. Bible Hall and Fountain (No. 4 on the Map) - The hall is a library for keeping the teachings of Wong Tai Sin. This hall and the fountain represent "wood" and "water", two of the five geomantic elements as shown in the architecture of the Wong Tai Sin Temple complex. The five elements Gold, Wood, Water, Fire and Earth were conceived by the Chinese as the five forces of nature as early as the 4th cent ~;~ ry B. C. Memorial Hall (No. 5 on the Map)- The resting place ofthe spirit tablets of deceased Taoist members of Sik Sik Yuen, a 1. MTR Station 2. Main Temple charitable organisation. 3. Hall of Three Saints Unicorn Hall (No. 6 on the map) -This hall is dedicated to 4. Bible Hall and Fountain 5. Memorial Hall Confucius and his 72 disciples. Confucius, born in 522 B.C., 6. Unicorn Hall was a great philosopher in ancient China. His philosophy of 7. Fung Ming Hall / life has been, for as long as anyone can remember, a set of {!{{~:} Soothsayers' Stalls rules to be followed by governments and families. ~: ~~~i~f Buddha of Lightin"ZfJLamp. . . - J Paper Offering Stalls 10. Rear Garden -- Fung Ming Hall (No. 7 on the Map)- A hall for gatherings 11. Soothsayers' Stalls ~ . 1 -- and social functions. The upper floor has a conference room, meditation rooms and staff quarters. Admission Admission is free but a small donation is expected at the entrance. 1t is possible to visit the temple from 7 a. m. to ~ p.m. everyday. History The present Wong Tai Sin Temple was only opened in 1973, but the image of Wong Tai Sin, which is housed in the main temple, was originally brought to Hong Kong from Province in 1915 by a man and his son. They installed it in a small temple in Wanchai on Hong Kong Island but it was ­ moved to a temple on this site in 1921 ; The Legen-d of Wo"ng Tai Sin Wong Tai Sin was a shepherd boy living in an isolated area of Province called Red Pine Hill. When he was only fifteen he was taught, by an immortal, the art of refining cinnabar into a drug that was said t6 cure all illnesses. Hi s next forty years were spent in seclusion until he was found by his _ brother whq, it was said, had spent all this time searching for hirn and the sheep in his care! The story goes on to say that Wong Tai Sin changed some white boulders into sheep to replace those he had lost and, indeed, there are two large gilded carvings of sheep in the temple. Wong Tai Sin werit on to achieve fame as a. healer because of the miraculous properties of his special medicine. But, today, he is worshipped not only by those who are worried about their health; people with business problems also come to seek his advice! More than three-million visited Wong Tai Sin last year. Days of Worship All year _round. Busiest days are around Chinese New 'r'ear when thanks are given for the year past and advice sought regarding the year ahead. Wong Tai Sin's birthday, on the 23rd day of the 8th lunar month is also a very busy time. -

Hong Kong Tourist Associa tion 35th F loor, Conn a ug ht Centre, Connaug ht Road C .. Hong Kong. T elephone: 5-244191/3-7225555