I hope the monks of Po Lin Monastery get all the support they need to stop government plans to build a tourist area outside the temple ('Monastery lifts fight against tourism', South China Morning Post, August 27).
I am not a Buddhist, but have been to the monastery on many occasions with my family and find it a truly beautiful place. To imagine it with a 'tourist bazaar' is very sad. This is a location that needs no embellishment, no tourist areas and no cable cars. At the end of the day it is a place of religion, or perhaps someone has forgotten that.
If officials are not convinced by my arguments, they need only look at the number of people who already visit Po Lin Monastery every month. This proves that nothing more is required, just the peace and tranquillity that is to be found there. Those individuals who think that is not enough should stick to Disneyland. This is a temple.
I wish the monks every success.
SAMANTHA BELL
Lantau