Ling Jiou Mountain Monastery
Ling Jiou Mountain Monastery (靈鷲山) was established by Master Hsin Tao (心道法師) after he came to the mountain to practice meditation in 1983. It is located on the mountainside high above Fulong (福龍) on Taiwan's northeast coast.
Buddha Eye Gate （天眼門） welcomes visitors to the monastery. It is built in a Tibetan style and the pillars are adorned with a variety of religious symbols.
Ling Jiou Mountain Monastery is built into the side of the mountain with stunning views along the northeast coast and out over the Pacific Ocean.
The view of Fulong from the mountain is awesome.
Many stupas cover the mountain and there is a large golden Guan Yin statue. In the distance you can see the eleven-faced Guan Yin on the peak of the mountain.
Dharmachakra flanked by two deer. The view of the Pacific Ocean stretches out in the distance.
The reclining Buddha statue is unique. Most reclining Buddha statues are lying on their right side, but this one is lying on the left.
The Patriarch Temple (祖師殿) is the oldest building at Ling Jiou Mountain. There is a small cave next to it were Master Hsin Tao stayed in retreat for two and a half years after he came to the mountain in 1983.
The Great Relics Stupa at the centre of the Ksitigarbha (Earth Bodhisattva; 地藏菩薩） Park. It is built in the style of the ancient stupa in Deer Park, Sarnath, India.
Fulong beach had few people on it even though the weather was glorious. It was almost exactly one year since my last visit. The fourth nuclear power plant, still under construction, is now quite visible at the end of the beach.
Now is a great time to visit the northeast coast. The Caoling Historic Trail Silvergrass Festival (2007草嶺古道芒花季) is being held from 1-30 November and the TRA is offering a special day ticket to make it easier to enjoy some of the many attractions in the area.
* more photos of Ling Jiou Mountain at flickr.
Dharma Drum Mountain in Jinshan
Thai New Year in Taoyuan
Links 2 February 2009
Cycling to Manyue Yuan
Focusing on 101
Posted: October 28th, 2007 under Buddhism, Photos, Taipei County, Taiwan, Travel.
Comments
Comment from Craig Ferguson
Time 28 October 2007 at 4:39 pm
Oh, forgot to say. The Baima temple is the largest Tibetan temple in Taiwan. I didn’t see any Tibetans monks there, but there were a few members of the Thai sangha visiting when I was there.
Comment from Todd
Time 28 October 2007 at 6:18 pm
Nice pictures David, I have to make it up to the Ciaoling Trail one of these days.
Comment from Craig Ferguson
Time 28 October 2007 at 4:33 pm
Nice report and photos. It looks like an interesting place. I’ll have to try and visit it sometime.
If you ever get the chance, you should try to go to the Baima temple in Yunlin. http://www.linnei.gov.tw/en/BaiMaTemple.htm
It’s possible to get to it by train, although it does require a bit of walking along a busy, dusty road, and then down a smaller road through pineapple fields. There’s also an old Shinto shrine near the train station and so decent hiking.