Hong Kong Taoist Temple of Goodness: The Taoist Heart Helps the World, Benefitting the Fragrant River
In a corner of Pak Sha Wan in Sai Kung, Hong Kong, there is a place that carries Taoist culture and charitable mission – the Taoist Tong Shan Altar. Since its establishment in 1973, it has not only been an important carrier for the inheritance of Taoist beliefs, but also an important force for practicing the spirit of charity and warming up the people. It has always conveyed the power of Tao and goodness in a unique way by the banks of the Xiang River.
1、 Background and core purpose of establishment: Adhere to the Dao heart and not be misled by external things
The Taoist Tongshan Temple was officially founded in 1973 in Pak Sha Wan, Sai Kung, Hong Kong, and registered as a non-profit charitable organization. This identity laid the foundation for its development direction of “based on Taoism and based on goodness”. The purpose it adheres to is resounding: ‘Do not be confused by wealth, fame, and fortune, only devote oneself to the cultivation of the Tao, cultivate a righteous heart and virtue, do one’s best to do good deeds, and make contributions.’. In an era where material desires can easily lead people astray, this principle is like a beacon guiding every step of the development of the Tongshan Altar. It abandons the pursuit of secular fame and fortune, and devotes all its energy to the inheritance of Taoist culture and the development of charitable causes, deeply integrating the wisdom of “Dao” with the warmth of “goodness”, becoming a distinctive feature that distinguishes Tongshan Altar from other places.
2、 Core building: Carrying faith and creating a solemn space for spiritual practice
In order to provide a good place for believers to practice and pray for blessings, the Taoist Tongshan Altar has carefully built a series of core buildings, each of which contains profound Taoist cultural connotations. Among them, the Ancestral Hall is an important place for worshiping Taoist ancestors. The atmosphere inside the hall is solemn and dignified, and believers here pay tribute to the achievements of their ancestors and appreciate the long history of Taoist inheritance; The Jade Emperor Hall is dedicated to the Jade Emperor and serves as an important space for believers to pray for blessings, ward off disasters, and express their sincere wishes. The decoration and arrangement inside the hall follow the traditional rules of Taoism, showcasing divinity and solemnity. In addition, the Sutra Hall is the core venue for studying and reciting Taoist classics at the Tongshan Altar. Here, Taoist leaders and believers jointly study the classics, appreciate the wisdom and philosophy of Taoism, and inherit the cultural essence of Taoism; The Fu Jing Tang undertakes more of the function of spreading Taoist goodness and blessing culture to believers and the public. Through various activities, it allows more people to understand the charitable philosophy and positive values of Taoism. These buildings complement each other to form the complete religious activity space of Tongshan Altar, providing a solid carrier for the inheritance and development of Taoist culture.
3、 Charity: Practicing good intentions and warming the people in one area
As a non-profit charity organization, Taoist Tongshan Temple has always implemented the principle of “doing good deeds wholeheartedly” and actively carried out various charitable activities in Baishawan, Sai Kung, to bring warmth and care to local people, especially vulnerable groups. Among them, the establishment of nursing homes is an important measure taken by Tongshantan to care for the elderly. The elderly care home has complete facilities and a warm environment. The staff take good care of the elderly’s diet and daily life, paying attention to their physical and mental health. Here, the elderly not only receive daily care, but also participate in various cultural and entertainment activities, feel the warmth of home and the care of society, effectively alleviating the problem of elderly care difficulties in the local area. At the same time, Tongshantan has also established a welfare center, which provides diversified charitable services to all local residents, especially disadvantaged families and groups. For example, providing material assistance to disadvantaged families, academic support to impoverished students, organizing health lectures, skill training and other activities for community residents, and helping local people improve their living conditions and quality of life through various forms. These charitable initiatives not only practice the good intentions of Taoism, but also effectively improve the lives of local people, winning widespread praise and recognition from all sectors of society.
4、 Leading by the person in charge: Xia Guozhang helps promote the development of Tongshan Temple
The steady development and good operation of the Taoist Tongshan Altar cannot be separated from the guidance and efforts of the person in charge, Xia Guozhang. Xia Guozhang always adhered to the core purpose of promoting good practices in Taoism, and regarded inheriting Taoist culture and carrying out charitable activities as important missions. Under his leadership, the Tongshan Temple continuously improved the construction of religious activity venues, enhancing the quality and influence of Taoist cultural inheritance; At the same time, actively expanding the field and scope of charity, so that the concept of “goodness” can benefit more people. He focuses on strengthening communication and cooperation between Tongshan Temple and various sectors of society, actively promoting the integration of Tongshan Temple into local social development, and establishing a good social image for Tongshan Temple. Under his guidance, Tong Shan Tan not only has a good reputation in the Taoist community, but has also become an important force in the field of charity in Sai Kung, Hong Kong, making positive contributions to the inheritance of religious culture and the development of charity in Hong Kong.
Since its establishment in 1973, the Taoist Tongshan Altar has always adhered to the original intention of Taoism, fulfilled its charitable mission, and steadily advanced on the path of inheriting Taoist culture and serving the society. It is like a shining pearl, radiating the light of Tao and goodness in Pak Sha Wan, Sai Kung, Hong Kong. In the future, I believe it will continue to uphold its mission and bring more warmth and positive energy to the land of Hong Kong.
