View source for Chi Lin Nunnery

{{Short description|Buddhist temple complex in Hong Kong}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2019}}
{{Infobox religious building
| name = Chi Lin Nunnery
| native_name = 志蓮淨苑
| native_name_lang = 
| image =File:Chi Lin Nunnery (2037672635).jpg
| image_size = 250px
| alt = 
| caption = The Maitreya Hall at Chi Lin Nunnery
| map_type = Hong Kong
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| location = 5 Chi Lin Drive, [[Diamond Hill]], [[Kowloon]], [[Hong Kong]]
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| coordinates         = {{coord|22|20|26.61|N|114|12|18.77|E|region:CN_type:landmark|display=title, inline}} 
| religious_affiliation = [[Buddhist]]
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| country = [[Hong Kong]]
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| functional_status = Active
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| website = {{URL|www.chilin.org}}
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| architecture_style = [[Tang dynasty]]
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| established = {{Start date and age|1934}}
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{{Infobox Chinese
| t = 志蓮淨苑
| s = 志莲净苑
| y = Jilìhn Jihng Yún
| j = zi3 lin4 zing6 jyun2
| p = Zhìlián Jìng Yuàn
}}

'''Chi Lin Nunnery''' ({{zh|t=志蓮淨苑|j=zi3 lin4 zing6 jyun2|cy=Jilìhn Jihng Yún}}) is a large [[Buddhism|Buddhist]] temple complex located in [[Diamond Hill]], [[Kowloon]], [[Hong Kong]]. It was founded in 1934 as a retreat for Buddhist nuns and was rebuilt in the 1998 following the traditional [[Tang dynasty]] architecture. The temple halls have statues of the [[Sakyamuni Buddha]], the goddess of mercy [[Guanyin]] and other [[bodhisattva]]s. These statues are made from gold, clay, wood and stone.

The temple halls and the Chinese garden in front of the nunnery are open to the public daily free of charge.

In 2018, a lighting design work has been done for giving the building a new aspect, as close as possible to the original design of the building.

==Design details==
The Chi Lin Nunnery uses the traditional [[Tang dynasty]] architecture with a design based on a [[Sukhavati]] drawing in the [[Mogao Caves]].<ref name="sukhavati">{{cite web | url=http://www.chilin.org/b/02/00201.html | script-title=zh:淨土經變圖 | accessdate=2016-04-07 | language=Chinese | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130122055620/http://www.chilin.org/b/02/00201.html | archive-date=2013-01-22 | url-status=dead }}</ref> It is constructed entirely with cypress wood, without the use of any [[Nail (fastener)|nails]], and is currently the world's largest hand-made wooden building. This construction is based on traditional [[Chinese architecture|Chinese architectural]] techniques that uses special interlocking systems cut into the wood to hold them in place. The traditional Chinese architecture school adopt this kind of technique to demonstrate the harmony of mankind with nature. The complex with 16 halls, a library, a school, a pagoda, a bell tower and a drum tower, covers an area of more than {{convert|33,000|m2}}.<ref name="Chi Lin Nunnery">{{cite web | url=http://www.buddhist-tourism.com/countries/hongkong/temples-monasteries/chi-lin-nunnery.html | title=Chi Lin Nunnery | accessdate=2016-04-07 | language=English |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170704132223/http://www.buddhist-tourism.com/countries/hongkong/temples-monasteries/chi-lin-nunnery.html |archive-date=2017-07-04}}</ref>  The Chi Lin Nunnery buildings are the only buildings to be built in this style in modern-day Hong Kong.

As a result of the new lighting design project, small spotlights have been installed on the ground floor and on the roof, while the lower entrance stairs have been illuminated by LEDs strips placed in the handrail.

==Nan Lian Garden==
{{main|Nan Lian Garden}}
The Nan Lian Garden, located in the opposite of the Chi Lin Nunnery, is a [[Chinese garden|Chinese classical garden]] also built in the style of the Tang dynasty. The scenic garden covers an area of {{convert|35,000|m2}} is maintained by the Chi Lin Nunnery.<ref name="Nan Lian Garden">{{cite web | url=http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/attractions/culture-chilin-nunnery.html | title=HK Tourism guide | accessdate=2016-04-07 | language=English}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons}}
* {{Official website|http://www.chilin.org}}
* [http://www.chilineldser.org/ Chinese website]
* [https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB122115254901124087?mod=googlewsj Wall Street Journal]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20090307002814/http://www.fodors.com/world/asia/china/hong-kong/review-167036.html Fodor's guide]
*[http://www.jackiechankids.com/files/HK_Journal_Chi_Lin_1.htm Jackie Chan's review]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20051109063905/http://www.wongpaklam.com/project/1998chilin01.htm Redevelopment of Chi Lin Nunnery Architects Report]
*[https://www.petruccimarco.it/en/project-view/2018-hong-kong-chi-lin-nunnery-pagoda/ Marco Petrucci Light Designer]

{{Buddhism topics}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Buddhist monasteries in Hong Kong]]
[[Category:Buddhist temples in Hong Kong]]
[[Category:Buddhist nunneries]]
[[Category:Diamond Hill]]


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