Footprints on the Mountain Path - 80 Years of Tung Lin Kok Yuen

Tung Lin Kok Yuen, located on Shan Kwong Road, Happy Valley, was the first Buddhist nunnery founded in Hong Kong by the late Lady Clara Ho Tung in 1935. The temple has an elegant and tranquil garden setting which is open to the public. The nunnery's architecture is inspired by the Tang Dynasty style, with grand halls, prayer halls and a drum tower. The halls are decorated with modern Buddhist art and calligraphy by local artists. The nunnery offers a variety of Buddhist scriptures, religious items and souvenirs for visitors, as well as Buddhist vegetarian meals for the public. Why doesn't Lady Clara Ho Tung stay at home like other rich wives and live a comfortable life? Why would she rather go out and found Tung Lin Kok Yuen, regardless of the hardships? What does her actions and behavior tell us about her brought-up, attitude towards life, and ideals? From the conception and planning of the school, to the laying of the foundation and construction, to the expansion and construction in different periods, how many ups and downs has it gone through? What important contributions has it made to society in terms of charity and education? What does its growth, continuous development, and inheritance at different stages inform us about the transformation and development of society? This book attempts to collect and go through historical documents, records, and data preserved in various public and private archives, libraries, and departments, as well as conduct in-depth interviews with different stakeholders. It aims to explore the extraordinary achievements of the school, and to recount its role and contribution in promoting education, spreading Buddhism, and nurturing multiculturalism, enriching the legendary story of Hong Kong -- a barren fishing village transformed into an international financial center. Tung Lin Kok Yuen is a part of Hong Kong's history. Tracing its 80-year extraordinary journey also clearly shows the tremendous changes in Hong Kong society. The once rarely visited by people, Shan Kwong Road has become a bustling place with towering buildings and crowds of people. Tung Lin Kok Yuen is still ringing the evening drums and morning bells, with the sound of Buddhist music lingering, attracting the virtuous to come and purify their minds. "Promoting education and spreading the Dharma" is also the great aspiration that generations of people from Tung Lin Kok Yuen have adhered to and carried forward.