90-Year-old business tycoon Li Ka-Shing has been known to make philanthropic contributions to different universities and hospitals across North America and East Asia, while also having pledged his support to the rescue efforts for the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami as well as the Sichuan earthquake in 2008. More recently, he has turned his head towards the arts by opening a newly multi-million-dollar Buddhist art museum at the Tsz Shan Monastery.
The museum is said to cost around HK $3 billion ($382 million) and has been built at the base of a bronze statue named Guanyin – the goddess of mercy. It peaks out above the monastery and has 100 different Buddha statues on display, alongside other artifacts. Everyone can visit for free. The selected art pieces are placed in such a way that they tell the story of Buddhism, and how it has survived throughout history. The museum is designed to enrich the spirituality of the people who seek transcendence. It took three years to build with most of the artifacts coming from Ka-Shing and the foundation he established in 1980. Ka-Shing's wealth has been estimated by Forbes to be at $33.4 billion.
Hong Kong’s chief executive Carrie Lam said in front of more than 2,000 people attending the museum opening, that the museum, would offer the world a sanctuary” for individuals in the bustling city. He called it a “grand opus of nature, where tree-lined hills look onto calming seas, the tranquil atmosphere of Tsz Shan Monastery offers the busy world a blissful retreat to put the buzzing world behind and relax its mind”. Lam went on to say that the invaluable contribution of Buddhist paintings, statues, sutras, and carvings housed in the Tsz Shan Monastery Art Museum not only represent the liberal ideals of Zen Buddhism but also serve as a base for cultural activities and programs.