Museum with Buddha tooth relic and underground palace system opens once every 100 years

With its solemn architecture and rich display content containing profound humanistic messages, this place has become a pilgrimage and worship destination for millions of Buddhists and tourists every year, including many Vietnamese tourists.

Fo Guang Shan Museum was built in 2001 and completed in 10 years, under the initiative of Venerable Master Hsing Yun (1927-2023) - founder of the Fo Guang Shan International Association with activities related to the fields of culture, Buddhisteducation and publishing.

It is the largest Buddhist museum in Taiwan and among the largest modern Buddhist complexes in the world .

The museum area of ​​about 100 hectares is a harmonious combination of traditional Buddhist architecture and modern elements.

In addition to the eight stupas symbolizing the Noble Eightfold Path, the museum also has the Great Heroic Hall, galleries on Buddhist history, art and culture, a large square, a hall, a library, etc.

This place preserves a rich treasure of artifacts, especially the Buddha's tooth relic. The Buddha's relic is displayed in a high, solemn position and filming and photography are prohibited.

According to records at this museum, after Buddha entered nirvana, only three Buddha tooth relics remained. One of the three is located at Fo Guang Shan, placed in the Jade Buddha Hall so that Buddhists can make offerings, admire and worship.

In the Jade Buddha Hall, there is also an area for praying and drawing Buddha's teachings. There are tickets printed in many languages ​​such as Chinese, English, Vietnamese, Korean, and Japanese.

Fo Guang Shan Museum also attracts visitors with its 108m high Buddha statue from base to top - currently the largest bronze sitting Buddha statue in Asia.

Coming here, visitors can not only admire valuable artifacts, but also feel the spirit of Buddhist civilization full of compassion and wisdom.

The museum also has 48 underground palaces that house precious Tang Dynasty religious artifacts, which are only opened every 100 years. A countdown clock shows how much time remains before the next underground palace opens. The time shown in the image is 86 years, 0 months, 23 days, 7 hours, 2 seconds until the next palace opens.

"Future generations will eagerly await the mysterious gift from the past. Every 100 years, the spirit of Buddha will be continued through the opening of underground palaces," the message written here clearly stated.

This place also preserves many ancient artifacts and treasures related to Buddhism. Some artifacts are in the prohibited filming area.

The picture shows a seated Bodhisattva statue, made of wood, 132cm high, 81cm wide, 62cm thick, from the Song Dynasty (960-1279).

Visiting the Fo Guang Shan Museum, visitors cannot help but admire and praise the massive architecture, imbued with art and religion.

When night falls, the scenery here becomes shimmering and magical.

The large Buddha statue appeared with extremely impressive lighting effects. Ms. Ngoc Trang (a tourist from Hanoi ) shared that Fo Guang Shan Museum is a place not to be missed when coming to Taiwan.

"I find tranquility, peace and inspiration for a positive life amidst the modern pace of life," said Ms. Trang.

Fo Guang Shan Museum is open free of charge on weekdays and closed on Tuesdays (except for some important holidays or when prior notice is given).

Photo: Hoang Ha, Hong Anh

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/du-lich/bao-tang-co-xa-loi-rang-phat-va-he-cung-dien-ngam-100-nam-mo-cua-mot-lan-20250513162231316.htm