Miu Fat Buddhist Monastery

一九九九年二月二日 (農曆十二月十七日星期二) 上午十時半於香港屯門藍地妙法寺工地上由住持釋修智法師、副主席釋紹根法師、祕書釋素聞法師暨建築師、結構工程師、承建商等進行重建工程灑淨動土儀式，在梵唄讚詠聲中，見證妙法寺劃時代工程之開端。

妙法寺自開山住持洗塵及金山兩位老和尚創立以來，即以實踐佛教慈悲濟世及福慧雙修之精神為宗旨。歷年來，所辦各項佛教弘法活動、文教慈善福利等事業，皆獲護法善信之捐助及支持，得以稍具規模，略奏膚功。洗公與金公相繼於1993年內往生，修智法師由董事會推選繼任住持。

於1960年杪在藍地購地建寺，並在寺內創辦妙法寺內明書院，以響應政府擴充鄉村學位，及提高青少年子弟教育水平；同時在寺內開辦安養院，收容年老無依婦女。於1964年，為擴建社會福利及教育事業，遂改組為董事制，並獲政府認可為慈善非牟利團體。於1969年撥出私家地以興辦政府津貼妙法寺劉金龍中學。於1993年因妙法寺內明書院原有校舍及設施殘舊，獲政府批准遷往天水圍，並易名為妙法寺陳呂重德紀念中學。本寺創立至今曾開辦多間幼稚園，因屋?老化而停辦。多年來，妙法寺早已成為香港佛教代表性寺院，舉凡傳戒，供千僧齋等大型佛事，均曾於寺中舉辦，影響深遠，為社會作出貢獻。

廣大之佛化文教福利事業，有賴乎寬敞庠宇。鑒於本寺除萬佛寶殿外，其餘院舍皆告破舊湫隘，不符應用，亟須翻造改建，以繼承開山住持之遺願，及進一步擴大以上服務，以莊嚴國土、利樂有情、淨化人心。經多年之申請，已獲政府批准重建工程，包括綜合大樓、安老院及宿舍。

A new epoch for Miu Fat Buddhist Monastery was marked by a Ceremony of Land Purification and land breaking, officiated by Rev. Sik Sau Chi, the Abbot, Rev. Sik Siu Kun, Vice-chairman, and Rev. Sik So Man, Secretary, at 10:30 a.m. on 2 February 1999 at the construction site of Miu Fat Buddhist Monastery, Lam Tei, Tuen Mun, in the presence of architects, structural engineers, building contractors and innumerable guests.

Miu Fat Buddhist Monastery was founded by Rev. Sik Sai Chun and Rev. Sik Kam Shan, with a view to propagating Buddhism, charitable and cultural services. When Rev. Sik Sai Chun and Rev. Sik Kam Shan passed away in 1993, Rev. Sik Sau Chi was elected Abbot.

In 1960, after the Monastery had acquired land in Lam Tei, Nei Ming Institute was established to provide school places for the village students and aged women’s quarters were built to accommodate homeless old women. In 1969, Madam Lau Kam Lung Secondary School, a government subsidized secondary school, was under plan. In 1993 Nei Ming Institute was relocated to Tin Shui Wai and renamed MFBM Chan Lui Chung Tak Memorial College. In the past years, Miu Fat Buddhist Monastery has been renowned for organizing large-scale and important Buddhist ceremonies and functions.

However, a large portion of the monastery compound has been in urgent need of redevelopment. After years of application, approval has been obtained from the Government to reconstruct a main complex, a home for the aged women and a dormitory.

每個朝代因應當時環境及文化而有其建築特色，現乃科技資訊時代，亦應有新世紀之建築設計。該重建工程以實用環保為主要設計概念，摒棄傳統不合時宜之佈局，所有裝修不求花巧，便於日後維修保養，以免浪費十方善信之淨施。設計概念揉合傳統及現代化之設施，去蕪存菁，為宗教建築之創意改革，起承先啟後之默化，為香港宗教界，建築界及旅遊界作出頗大之貢獻。

綜合大樓約高四十二米，集佛殿、圖書館、大會堂、總辦事處、停車場及文教福利等設施於一身，設計雖然新穎，但不離佛法僧三寶之概念。頂層之玻璃幕牆，猶如一座碩大之水晶蓮花。大雄寶殿約高20米，殿內供奉高約八米之釋迦牟尼佛，旁立舍利佛及目犍連尊者。殿內無柱，面積達一千平方米，可進行大型佛事。耆英及傷健人士可乘電梯直達佛殿，務求人人皆得禮佛發心，同登覺岸。圖書館供奉法寶，收藏佛教及文史哲等典籍，閱覽研究者，皆得深入經藏，智慧如海。僧寮供僧寶修行之場所。大會堂可作講堂、展覽及多項文教福利之活動。安老院之設計，居住環境舒適，務求耆英得以安享晚年。

As every era has its unique architectural characteristics, so should the architectural design of the 21 st century to cope with the age of information technology. The design concept of the new complex revolves around environmental protection without any outdated, unnecessary cumbersome or ornate decoration. Both traditional and modern facilities are intermingled to introduce reform in religious architecture, for the well being of religion, architecture and local tourist industry.

Measured about 42m in height, the main complex comprises a Buddhist shrine, a library, a community hall, administrative offices, a parking lot, and cultural/welfare facilities, all inspired by the doctrines of the 3 Buddhist Precious Gems. The glass-fronted top story resembles a gigantic crystal lotus blossom. The Buddhist shrine proper measures about 20m in height, worshipping an 8m tall statue of Buddha, flanked by the statues of two disciples. The area of the pillarless shrine is about 1000㎡, spacious enough for large-scale Buddhist functions. Aged and handicapped disciples can reach the shrine with easy by lift. The library stores scriptures in Buddhism, literature, history and philosophy. The dormitory provides board and lodging for monks and nuns. The community hall can be used as a lecture theatre, an exhibition hall, or for cultural/welfare activities. Furthermore, the home for the aged women is designed to provide a comfortable living environment for the residents.

是項工程浩大，須費甚殷，特此懇請十方善信護法檀越發菩提心、植福培德，隨緣樂助，俾工程早日完成，福利群生，功德無量。

For the successful completion of this new project, the building cost is colossal, and your most generous support and donation is indispensable. Kindness knows no bounds; generosity will be rewarded.