Fo Guang Shan Hwei Chung Temple Introduction
The ancient temples often seek solitude and tranquility nestled deep within the mountains, but there is a Buddhist temple that goes against this trend. It stands majestically in the heart of Taichung's prestigious 7th Redevelopment Zone, where small forests meet the busyness of the city. This is Huizhong Temple. When Master Hsing Yun first arrived in Taiwan, he resided at Leyou Temple in Yilan. In 1965, he founded Shou Mountain Buddhist Academy in Kaohsiung, and in 1967, he acquired land in Dashi Township, Kaohsiung, laying the foundation for Fo Guang Shan. In 1992, the East Coast Temple was established to serve the believers in Taichung, and in 1996, the "Guangming Academy" was set up to enhance cultural and educational development. After more than a decade of dedicated efforts from the followers of Fo Guang Shan, the number of believers in Taichung surged, leading to space limitations. After a thorough search, in August 2004, with the Master's and senior monk's personal inspection, the Fo Guang Shan Religious Affairs Committee decided to establish a comprehensive and modern Buddhist cultural and educational center in what was the Formosa Restaurant on Huizhong Road, naming it Fo Guang Shan Huizhong Temple. Huizhong Temple has five levels with a total floor area of over 3000 ping, containing numerous rooms of various sizes. Instead of following the common practice of demolition and reconstruction, the Master wisely and compassionately emphasized maintaining the building's original appearance. Thus, Huizhong Temple differs from traditional temples with their intricate carvings and decorations; it retains the original structure and layout of the restaurant, featuring European Baroque architectural design. The abbot, Master Jue Ju, remarked, "It is indeed a coincidence that the restaurant used elephants as decoration, as in Buddhism, elephants symbolize great conduct. Perhaps this place was originally destined to be connected with Buddhism." The temple and the restaurant were initially unrelated entities, but surprisingly, the restaurant space required only slight adjustments to transform into an elegant and serene place for practice. A professor from Nanhua University’s Department of Architecture who visited the temple said, "This is truly an astonishing success in architectural conversion." In 2007, monks from Chulalongkorn University in Thailand visited the temple, and as they stepped off the tour bus, they were immediately captivated by the sight of Huizhong Temple, their eyes widening in admiration. During a discussion after their visit, the first question asked was, "Do all temples of Fo Guang Shan look like this?" Transforming a restaurant into a place for spiritual practice, blooming a pure white elegant lotus from within the hustle and bustle of life—how could it be achieved without “magic”? This is what is meant by "Where there is Buddha Dharma, there is a method." Consequently, the private rooms now serve as classrooms and dormitories, and the grand banquet hall on the third floor has become the Main Shrine Hall. The circular roof creates excellent acoustics; during Dharma assemblies, the sounds of chanting resonate beautifully through the circular ceiling, making a melodious and continuous echo. Standing in front of Huizhong Temple, you will notice that the central glass doors are always open, welcoming those destined to connect. Upon entering, you are greeted by winding stairs that are popular for newcomers taking wedding photos. The glass skylight above allows sunlight to pour in, creating a shimmering golden light reminiscent of a world filled with precious gems. The magnificent atrium embodies both elegance and solemnity infused with cultural atmosphere. The service desk located in the circular space at the western entrance is specifically designed to assist visiting believers. You might consider visiting Huizhong Temple now; its diverse and rich aspects will surely offer you a unique experience!
