HKU Centre of Buddhist Studies Alumni Association

31/10/2026

23/10/2026

2026 CBSAA Japan Study Tour Day 7-9

Over the next few days, our group had a glimpse of how prilgrims worship at the Shikoku 88 Temples.

The Shikoku Henro (四國遍路) is a Buddhist pilgrimage route, comprising of 88 temples, which dates back to over 1,200 years ago, centered around Kobo Daishi (弘法大師). Pilgrims may start their jouney in any order they prefer.

We had the opportunity to visit Temple #1, Ryozenji Temple (靈山寺); Temple #12, Shosanji Temple (燒山寺); Temple #21, Tairyuji Temple (太龍寺); and Temple #23, Yakuoji Temple (藥王寺).

Guided by Mr Chung Ming Yuen, an official Sendatsu (先達) of the Shikoku Pilgrimage, our group bowed at the main gate of each temple, cleansed our hands, and rung the temple bell. Upon arriving each temple’s Main Hall (本堂) and Daishi Hall (大師堂), we lit candles and incense, offered our osamefuda (納札), before we said our prayers and chants.

A famous legend related to this route was that Saburo Emon (衛門三郎), broke a beggar’s bowl out of anger, without realising he was monk Kukai (空海法師). Subsequently, his children died one after another. Emon began his search looking for monk Kukai, to beg for his forgiveness. This journey of repentance around the 88 Temples is said to be the beginning of the “Shikoku Henro”.

22/10/2026

2026 CBSAA Japan Study Tour Day 6

One of the main highlights on Day 6 was the sacred Goma fire ritual (火供) at Mount Koya (高野山), where we experienced this esoteric Buddhist ceremony firsthand.

While the priests of Shojoshin-in Temple (清淨心院) prepared the altar and purified the sacred space, our participants and other worshippers wrote our personal prayers and wishes on small wooden sticks called gomagi (護摩木).

When it was time, everyone sat quietly while the ceremony opened with ringing bells, chanting of sutras, and rhythmic taiko drumming to invite Fudo Myoo (不動明王). The priest in the center carefully stacked wooden blocks in the brazier to start the fire. Solemn, melodic chanting echoed through the temple, filling the space with prayers and blessings.

At last, each worshipper offered our gomagi into the flames one by one, in hope that our worldly attachments may transform into rising smoke that carries prayers to the realm of the deities.

After the fire ritual, Dr Tony Chui led some of our group members to take refuge at Kongobuji Temple (金剛峯寺), followed by a night tour around Koyasan Okunoin (奧之院).

At the end of the temple’s approach stands Gobyobashi Bridge (御廟橋). In Shingon Buddhism, Kukai (空海) is believed not to have died, but to have entered eternal meditation. Based on the belief that Kobo Daishi Kukai (弘法大師空海) remains in meditation in his mausoleum to this day, the solemn ritual of offering him meals every early morning has continued for around 1,200 years.

21/10/2026

2026 CBSAA Japan Study Tour Day 5

On Day 5 of our trip, our group paid visit to Mount Hiei (比叡山), home to the UNESCO World Heritage site Enryakuji Temple (延曆寺).

The massive complex is split into three primary areas. Todo (東塔), the heart of Enryakuji, features Konpon Chudo (根本中堂) and the Eternal Dharma Light.

Saito (西塔) features the Shakado (釋迦堂)and Jodo-in (淨土院); while Yokawa (橫川) features the Yokawa Chudo (橫川中堂).

Around the area, we saw amulets of a character which resembles a horned devil, and are believed to ward off evil spirits. Turns out that the religious icon is Ganzan Daishi (元三大師).

Led by Venerable at Enryakuji Kaikan (延曆寺會館), we had our meditation session and sutra copying experience at the lodge place. Our academic advisor, Dr Tony Chui, gave us a lecture on Japanese Buddhism and closed the day with his personal experiences.

16/10/2026

*2026 CBSAA Japan Study Tour Day 3 & 4*

Over Days 3 and 4, Dr Tony Chui guided us through the history and development of Tenryu-ji (天龍寺), Arashiyama (嵐山) bamboo forest, Togetsukyo Bridge (渡月橋), and Chion-in (知恩院).

To gain a better understanding of the history, cultural background, and impact of Japanese religions, our group also paid visits to Yasaka Shrine (八阪神社), and Mikami Shrine (御髮神社).

A number of our participants tried out the unique ritual at Mikami Shrine, where a small strand of their hair was cut with the priest’s special scissors. The priest will later bury the strand inside the sacred Hair Mound and give it daily blessing. It is believed to bring good health and protection to hair.

14/10/2026

Workshop on MIND (Mindfulness Into Nature Dimension) –
Understanding the Nature of the Mind

Come and examine the true nature of our daily experience through mindfulness and foster deeper Right Understanding

Date:
October 26, 2026 (Monday)

Time:
10 am – 5 pm

Venue:
D. H. Chen College
HKU x Jockey Club Student Village IV
4 Police School Road, Wong Chuk Hang, Hong Kong

Trainer:
Hor Tuck Loon (何德麟)
An ardent practitioner of mindfulness for over 40 years who had the opportunity to practice under Sayadaw U Tejaniya's guidance since 2006 with much more clarity of how the mind works, Teacher Hor was inspired to bring the teaching to many others.

With his passion to bring the right mindfulness teaching to more people, Teacher Hor has also participated in publication works, such as “Letting Everything Become Your Teacher” and “Arriving At Your Own Door” (Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn), and Sayadaw U Tejaniya's series “Don’t look down on defilement”, “Awareness alone is not enough” and “Dhamma everywhere”.

Language: English

Fee: HK$480.00(Including vegetarian lunch and drink)

Details:
https://share.google/5Ks0UkWMUnXeAlKnP

13/10/2026

Photos from Day 1 and 2 of our annual Study Trip for this year.

Led by Dr Tony Chui, we kicked off our annual CBSAA study tour by visiting Kyoto’s To-ji Temple, Kinkaku-ji, Ginkaku-ji and Eikando Zenrin-Temple.

Standing at 55 meters tall, the five-storied pagoda at To-ji Temple is notably Japan’s tallest wooden pagoda and is a national treasure. Next to the pagoda, the Kodo Hall houses a rare three-dimensional mandala, which consists of 21 Buddhist statues centered around Dainichi Nyorai.

Kinkaku-ji was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994. The temple’s top two floors are covered in pure gold leaf. As the iconic structure sits on the edge of the Mirror Pond, it has attracted numerous visitors to come and admire its shimmering reflection across the water.

Contrary to its name, the Ginkaku-ji is neither painted nor covered in silver. Instead, its understated, natural wood appearance embodies the wabi-sabi aesthetic.

With over 1,100 years of history, many buddhists and visitors alike came to worship the Mikaeri-Amida at Eikando Zenrin-Temple. The pose of Amida looking over his shoulder symbolises Amida’s mercy to wait and to lead those who are late in coming to faith in buddhism.