Shen Wei Introduction

Shen Wei Tian Tai Mt., established by Bao Guang Jian De, a branch of I-Kuan Tao, is located in Xin Liao Village, Liu Gui Town, Kaohsiung County in a region of breathtaking beauty, of mountains and valleys. The buildings cover approximately 310 hectares. You would surely enjoy the peaceful ambiance when rambling in the mountains with magnificent views. The magnificent main buildings that comprise front hall, nave and back hall are surrounded by facilities such as the stadium, Shen Wei Zhao Bi, Lake of Sun and Moon, Accommodation Mansion, Zong De Auditorium, Yuan Jue Garden, Yao De Garden, Four-faced Ji Gong Living Buddha, the camping area and so on.

Shen Wei Tian Tai Mt. is the land blessed by Lao Mu (Heavenly Mother) and protected by many mighty divinities. With the providence of Lao Mu (Heavenly Mother) and Great Master, Master Yao Wu Nien of Tian Tai Sheng Gong (a temple located in Kaohsiung City) donated the land, and Grand Master Lin has endeavoured to provide a well-equipped space for both Tao practitioners and the general public of the globe. More than that, other religious groups and institutions are welcome to exploit facilities offered by Bao Guang Jian De.

From “Xin Wei” to “Shen Wei” (Mighty Power), the transformation involves “Xin Wei” earth god and goddess’ predestined causality with Bao Guang Jian De. They had been guarding the holy land of “Liu Gui” for hundreds of years to wait for the precious opportunity to get Tao with which they could return to the supreme heavenly world.

With the sincere devotion and donation from Tao followers worldwide, pilgrims from other I-Kuan Tao branches could visit the holy temples built for Lao Mu (Heavenly Mother), Zu Shi (Maitreya Buddha Patriarch), Shi Zun (Patriarch Zhang) and Shi Mu (Matriarch Sun) and pray together for the appearance of Maitreya’s Pure Land and the coming of world peace – Da Tong – at an early date.

In the Arcadia of Shen Wei, there are egrets flying, wild geese singing and beautiful scenery of reddish sky reflected by sunset and bright moonlight shining on old pines. Shen Wei Tian Tai Mt. is the embodiment of paradise with more beauty than one can take in which allows us to visualize Maitreya’s Holy Land.

Visitors would marvel at the splendid palace buildings constructed according to the landform when walking around them or viewing them from far distance. One will believe that s/he is right here at Maitreya’s Dou Shuai Palace when seeing the temples in the mild fog at dawn.

Each neoclassical style temple features steel frame(1), colossal columns, golden glazed tile roof, marble walls and the colour combination of gold and white. It is a mix of classical and modern architecture.

Pilgrimage Gate

The Front Hall : White Yang Temple

White Yang Temple is established for Tao followers to honour and worship Maitreya Buddha Patriarch (Jin Gong Zu Shi), Ji Gong Living Buddha (Huo Fo Shi Zun), Yue Hui Bodhisattva (Mother Saint of Zhong Hua), Guan Sheng Di Jun (Sangharama Bodhisattva) and Lu Dong Bin Zu Shi. Each statue (3.5 meters in height) is made by famous sculpture masters using camphor wood aged approximately 100 years old. You will surely be impressed by the majestic statues and strong camphor fragrance when viewing the interior in the temple.

The Nave Hall : Patriarchs Temple

The auditorium with a maximum capacity of 1,600 is arranged at the front of the first floor while three lecture theaters each having a capacity of more than 300 seats are at the rear.

The second floor consists of 3 lecture rooms including 800 seats.
These facilities are available for educational events organized by both Tao followers and institutions.

Visitors can go up the stairway to reach Patriarchs Temple from the courtyard. A nine-dragons panel made of basalt is set in the middle of the stairway at the angle of 45 degrees. It is 27.52 meters long and 4.6 meters wide. These vigorous dragon reliefs with sharp eyes, grand figure and jewels in their mouths aligned at the central axis of the temple are exquisitely carved by famous sculptors.  

The gate of the temple consists of five doors and four columns, which are arranged with the door in the middle the highest among the five doors. All the doors and columns are made of rare and precious camphor wood aged approximately 100 years old, and it requires great skills to handle huge logs like this.

Statues of 64 patriarchs made of precious White Jade Marble are installed around the interior of the temple, and their names are inscribed on the plates for visitors to refer to. Among the 64 patriarchs, they are former 18 generations of the east patriarchs, 28 generations of the west and the latter 18 generations of the east.

Statues of the Three Saints of White Yang Era (Jin Gong Zu Shi, Tian Ran Ancient Buddha and Mother Saint of Zhong Hua) carved carefully by sophisticated old sculptors placed on snow-white-and-pure lotus pedestals made of precious White Jade Marble are installed at the center of the altar. The White Jade Marble is a rare kind of stone material with delicate and beautiful texture and the most exceptional is that each statue weighs up to 38 metric tons and is 5.35 meters in height. It’s hard to not be touched by these grand and majestic statues.

The Main Hall：Heavenly Mother (Lao Mu) Temple

In this temple, 10,800 gilded Maitreya Buddha sculptures are mounted on the walls. They shine splendidly under bright lighting and represent the vision in which all divinities congregate to worship Lao Mu.

Accommodation Mansion

The 5 floor mansion that features the elegant colour combination of red and white is located on the left side of Patriarchs Temple. The neoclassical style building with beautifully maintained lawns, trees and flowerbeds looks like a snowcapped building that you would expect to see in Hokkaido, Japan.

This mansion aims to provide accommodation for visitors from all over the world. It is divided into two sections according to genders due to the regulation stipulated in Tao society. The mansion with the cafeteria in the basement can accommodate up to 1,600 guests and each room is air-conditioned. Please contact the management department for further information.

Lake of Sun and Moon

The Lake of Sun and Moon where all kinds of freed fishes inhabit covers two hectares. It was named Lake of Sun and Moon to memorialize Shi Zun (Patriarch Zhang) and Shi Mu (Matriarch Sun) for their great virtue of succeeding to the lineage of Tao.

As the old sayings go： “The wise delight in water.”、“The highest virtue is like water.”, one should acquire water’s property to infiltrate good influences into the society and help create a better world.

Zong De Auditorium

Zong De Auditorium is located at the front left of the Holy Temples. It is named after Grand Master Shi to honour his devotion and sacrifices for Tao all his life. The auditorium can be used to hold large events and it provides accommodation for participators as well.

The first floor with a capacity of 4,000 is equipped with a stage, lighting rig and dance floor while the second floor and third floor can accommodate up to 1,600 guests who will be assigned to rooms in Section A or Section B according to genders.

Yuan Jue Garden

We established Yuan Jue Garden in memory of Emperor Yuan Jue(2) who had practiced the following five sacrifices throughout his life. He remained unmarried so that he could devote himself fully to practice Tao. He had mercy on all living beings and endeavoured to preach the wonderful message of Tao to them and have them enlightened. Meanwhile he also had had a positive attitude to cultivate True Nature and practice Tao till death came to him. As juniors of Bao Guang Jian De, we should follow the example of Emperor Yuan Jue and work even harder in a hope that more people can be enlightened.

The proper arrangement of flower beds and trees makes Yuan Jue Garden a suitable place for escaping busy and stressful modern life. Visitors can also take a walk alongside the lake leisurely.

Tu Di Gong (Local Earth God) Shrine

The local earth god (Yang De Chuan) and goddess (Wang Yu Lian) are worshiped in the shrine which is located near Zong De Auditorium.

Jade Emperor(3) conferred the couple Fu De Zheng Shen (local earth god) to protect Shen Wei Tian Tai Mt. due to their good deeds about 100 years ago. They were later initiated by Ji Gong Living Buddha because of their predestined causality with Bao Guang Jian De. The construction process has progressed well thanks to their blessing.

Four-faced Ji Gong Living Buddha

The four-faced design symbolizes Ji Gong Living Buddha ‘s four straight virtues -- mercy, kindness, selflessness and justness, and four immeasurable minds including unconditional dedication, only sacrifice without selfness, only responsibility without advantage and only devotion without possession. He gives blessings and offers help to all sentient beings.

Rhodonite (Rhodos)

There is a giant Rhodos (or President Stone) on the square in front of White Yang Temple which can help balance the body's magnetic field.

The Holy Land of Heavenly Mother (Lau Mu)

The wall inscribed with “Holy Land of Heavenly Mother (Lau Mu)” on the front and “Maitreya Homeland” on the back is set at front right of the White Yang Temple. The wall installed on a base coated with pebbles features bright glazed tiles on the top and exquisite reliefs on the four sides. It is as magnificent as “Wan Ren Palace Wall” that encompasses Confucius Temple.

It reminds Tao followers of the ultimate eternal destination where Lau Mu has been longing for the return of her children. It prompts us to maintain goodwill 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in a hope that we may one day be able to reunite with Lau Mu.

Maitreya Homeland

Maitreya Sutra presents the paradise of White Yang Era in which people around the world live peaceful lives following Maitreya’s teaching. It motivates us to carry on Great Master’s mission to turn the secular world into Maitreya’s Pure Land of love and peace.