Sha Tin, New Territories. When we are on the platform of KCR, the train that connects the peninsula of Kowloon to the border with the “continent” it is just a gigantic shopping mall. People rush hurriedly crossed the turnstiles; beyond, shops senfilent to infinity. We go out there, we walk towards the huge building in which tear their furniture kit of some Swedish company.

It is crowd again, and on the parade route quantities of car minibuses and taxis. But still, just a little further, after the post office the entrance, the first steps. Ten minutes later the din of the city is absorbed by trees of a forest of bamboo and soon, along the winding staircase in the middle, created the first golden statues.

The Monastery of Ten Thousand Buddhas “takes its name from the countless statues that inhabit the site, each displaying unique characteristics. Those seen during the ascent to the monastery are among the most extravagant of Buddhas bodied, thin, bald or hairy, with dogs, dragons and toads, joyful, mysterious, serious or sad.

More than four hundred steps later under the branches sometimes echoing the cries of monkeys, we reached the monastery, someone is there to sell for gold bottles of water to those that would climb too dehydrated .

First there is a large courtyard, where there are several altars and incense roaster, with other statues. In the middle of this courtyard, a large pagoda of nine stories, from the inside, a spiral staircase leads to the top, and niches in walls to accommodate other effigies can admire the splendid scenery around, Harbor Sha Tin and the surrounding wooded hills.

In the courtyard, bordered by trees, there are some flats that house the statues of important figures of the local Buddhist pantheon: one of them is dedicated to Kwun Yam, the White Goddess of Mercy facing the sea (it is traditionally the protector of sailors and fishermen), another is Manjushri the Bodhisattva of wisdom and bravery, riding a lion, one still sees the disciple of Samanta bhadra Shay amuni on his white elephant with six teeth, and Vitasoka later keeper of the great temple that stands in front of him.

This temple is home to the “ten thousand Buddhas” itself (it actually has more than 12800). These numerous figurines, each plated in gold and in a posture different from others, covering the four walls inside the temple from floor to ceiling, nearly nine meters high. At the center of the altar, the smoke of incense burned by the faithful, there are three large statues at the images of important deities.

But behind them more importantly is placed a statue bearing the likeness of Reverend Yuet Kai, who founded the monastery. The fervor of those who come to pray here adds to the impressive atmosphere of the place.

Continuing the visit to the upper part of the monastery, we met other smaller temples, including that of Amitabha, the often remarkable frescoes, some of them are being restored.

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