Worldly matters put on hold as Li Ka-shing opens Hong Kong’s first Buddhist art museum
- Hong Kong’s wealthiest citizen cut the ribbon at the museum in Tsz Shan Monastery in Tai Po, which he initiated in 2003 and opened four years ago
Hong Kong’s richest man set money matters aside to wax philosophical on Wednesday as he opened the city’s first Buddhist art museum at Tsz Shan Monastery in Tai Po.
“There is no guiding algorithm to help us crack those deep practical questions that are central to our lives,” tycoon Li Ka-shing said. “Who am I? What should I do with my life? How do I create The Good Future? And the bold and hard question: ‘In what direction should we move forward and thrive together?’”
“I hope Tsz Shan Monastery can be a space for such quiet contemplation and orientations.”
Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, Beijing’s Hong Kong liaison office chief Wang Zhimin, and Ming Sheng, vice-president of the Buddhist Association of China also officiated at the ceremony.
Lam said: “The tranquil atmosphere of Tsz Shan Monastery offers the busy world a blissful retreat to put the buzzing world behind and relax the mind.”
“The invaluable collection … housed in the Tsz Shan Monastery Buddhist Art Museum represents not only the enlightened ideals and cultural sphere of Zen Buddhism but will also provide the basis for cultural programmes and activities.”