The Buddhist Monastery at Fokuangshan
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Port
Kaohsiung, Taiwan
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Activity Level
Moderate Activity
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Excursion Type
All
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At (prices in USD)
$140
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
Approximately 5 Hours
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Meals Included
Meals not included
The founder of Buddhism, Siddhartha Gautama, was born more than 2,500 years ago in what is now Southern Nepal. Today, there are 300 million Buddhists worldwide, with five million followers in Taiwan. Discover the history of this age-old religion while walking through the countryside just outside of Kaohsiung.
Your journey begins with a relaxing 60-minute drive north to the Fokuangshan Monastery -- Buddha's Light Mountain. Resting in a bamboo forest at the foot of the mountain, the monastery is home to a complex of structures devoted to the practice of humanistic Buddhism, which applies Buddha's core principles to daily life.
Giant Buddha statues welcome you to the Fo Guang Shan Monastery, founded in 1967 by the venerable master Hsin Yun. Fo Guang Shan is the best-known Buddhist center in southern Taiwan and is the largest Buddhist monastery in Taiwan.
Continue to the Buddha Memorial Center, covering more than 247 acres. The center opened in 2011 to promote cultural and religious education and is Taiwan's only museum specializing in Buddhist artifacts. Its design was inspired by both an Indian stupa and the Mahabodhi Temple. Above it sits the world's tallest bronze sitting Buddha statue. Eight pagodas line the Way to Buddhahood path. Buddha's tooth -- one of only three in the entire world -- is housed here. An art gallery displays an array of historical and cultural treasures, including poetry, calligraphy, religious instruments and antiques.
Return to your transport for the scenic trip back to the pier with a deeper understanding and appreciation of Buddhism.
Please note:
Tour operates subject to meeting a minimum number of participants. The Buddha Memorial Center rules require no smoking, alcohol, non-vegetarian foods or betel nuts on site; voices must be kept low; slip-on shoes are not allowed; modest attire is required; knees, shoulders and midriffs must be covered; shorts and capri-length pants are not allowed.