【Chung Tai Chan Monastery】Tour Information

1. The Great Majesty Hall is located on the monastery’s second floor. It enshrines the statue of Shakyamuni Buddha, the historical buddha as he appeared in the world, also known as the Transformation Body. The statue is carved from Indian red granite, in contrast to the stark grey stone covering the walls. This symbolizes the Transformation Body’s manifestation in the Saha World, a physical embodiment of the Buddha’s vow to liberate all beings from suffering. With great virtue, wisdom, and power, the Buddha can purify the wrongdoings of this land. Therefore, he is known as the Great Majestic One.
2. Adjoining the Great Majesty Hall are the Patriarch Halls, enshrining Bodhidharma, the first Chan Patriarch of China; and Sangharama Bodhisattva, Dharma guardian of the monastery.

1. Great Luminance Garden is located immediately inside Chung Tai Chan Monastery’s main gate. The centerpiece of the garden is a stele engraved with the Dharma inscription: “Demonstrate the principle of mind and embody the teaching of Dharma.” Written in the calligraphy of Founding Abbot Grand Master Weichueh, the inscription embodies his vow to spread the mind-Dharma of Chan and teach the essence of Buddhism through Chung Tai’s culture of cultivation.
2. The Perfect Illumination Hall is grand and spacious, capable of accommodating large-scale Buddhist ceremonies with tens of thousands of participants or hosting Chan-7 retreats for thousands of individuals. It is a magnificent and practical architectural structure designed for the propagation of Buddhist teachings, combining both aesthetic appeal and functionality.

1. Pu Tai Park is adorned with colorful flowers and lush trees. Walking along its winding pathways, visitors are treated to diverse and picturesque views, continuously changing as they stroll through the park.
2. Within the park is an inscription with “Chung Tai World,” in the calligraphy of Founding Abbot Grand Master Weichueh. From the vantage point of the stele, one can see Chung Tai Chan Monastery, Chung Tai World Museum, and Pu Tai Elementary School. It is a panorama of Chung Tai World, built under the guidance of the Grand Master, step by step, footprint by footprint. All his disciples will wholeheartedly carry forward his compassionate vow to spread Chan teachings and benefit all sentient beings.

1. At the center of the main gate plaza of Chung Tai Chan Monastery stands a large marble boulder, serving as the monastery’s guardian stone. Surrounding it are landscaped plantings of Buddhist pines, Juniperus chinensis, and Fengkang persimmons, creating a harmonious natural setting. Flower beds separating the vehicle lanes are planted with Lanyu Buddhist pines and Dragon Chinese junipers, blending safety, functionality, and aesthetic beauty into the space.
2. Next to the monastery gate stands a stone engraved with the words of a Chan master: “First, to create a scenic setting for the mountain gate; second, to set an example for future generations.” These words, along with the dignified presence of the pine and cypress trees, serve to inspire practitioners to become role models of cultivation. On the nearby inscription wall is the founding abbot’s calligraphy of the Four Tenets of Chung Tai, serving as guiding principles for all disciples. The serene and pure atmosphere reflects the essence of a Chan monastery, welcoming visitors to enter Chung Tai, step into the Dharma realm of the Buddhas, and walk together on the path to enlightenment.

Bus: Take a bus to Puli.
Train: Take the Taiwan Railways (TRA) to Taichung Station, then walk to Gancheng Station and take a bus or private minibus bound for Puli.
High Speed Rail: Take the High-Speed Rail (HSR) to Taichung Station, then transfer to a bus heading to Puli.
After arriving in Puli, take a local bus, taxi, or other transportation to Chung Tai Chan Monastery.
Nantou Bus operates routes between Puli and Dapingding, Meiyuan, and Huisun, with stops at both Chung Tai Chan Monastery and Chung Tai World Museum.