There are numerous temples and monasteries throughout the entire Luk Wu area, with each being managed by its respective organization. Landscape contractors from the government periodically visit to maintain the surrounding landscapes. It is the government's responsibility to inspect the drainage systems, retaining walls, and landslide conditions, among other things. Should any issues arise, the organizations typically notify the government and provide feedback, though they often manage minor issues internally with the help of volunteers.
In Luk Wu temple, religious belief is not a prerequisite for attending courses or engaging in practices; the focus is more on spiritual development. The temple seeks to avoid commercial activities and tourism, aiming to preserve the area for meditation. Given the scarcity of meditation spaces in Hong Kong, the temple's goal is to offer activities that educate the younger generation and provide a serene environment for individuals to find their purpose and direction in life, enhancing their understanding of 'Zen and Art.'
Currently, outreach is limited to interactions with passersby in the village, but there is a desire to extend their message to a broader audience and increase community engagement, especially with the youth. The entire establishment is funded by the organization, with contributions from supporters, volunteers, and public donations.
Ven (Thong Hong) has been the appointed Committee head since 2021, succeeding older Buddhist monks, as newer members have been elected to take on leadership roles. The temple has been undergoing renovations since last year, with contractors from the Deer Lake organization focusing on repainting the interior and exterior, as well as repairing basic drainage systems and wall damage.
The incident at Yim Hing Monastery, where triad gangs were involved in the acquisition of the property, has raised concerns about the potential for these business organizations to encroach on all temples in Luk Wu. The local community is deeply upset, as these places were designated by the government for religious purposes, yet developers have misappropriated them. Furthermore, although many temples are situated on government-owned land, the organization has little say in the development of the area, despite having been present for decades.
Venerable Thong Hong was born and educated in Malaysia. He obtained a doctorate in Buddhism from the University of Hong Kong in 2018. He currently oversees the renovation project of Luk-wu Jingshe, the oldest temple in Lantau.
Ms. Luk, a long-time inhabitant of Luk Wu, has observed the transformation of the area over the years. She fondly remembers its heyday and notes that about four decades ago, the decline of local farming began as it could not compete with the scale of agriculture in China.
The land was once home to an array of crops including grains, sweet potatoes, taro, vegetables, green onions, and garlic. Notably, Keungshan ginger was highly sought after for its exceptional quality, characterized by its fiberless texture, akin to that of jicama. Harvests from the region were transported by boat for sale in the Central market.
Historically, three families, including the Wen and Mo families and Ms. Luk's own, were engaged in agriculture within Luk Wu, with a tradition of exporting rice internationally. Farming cycles included two harvests per year; seedlings planted in March would be reaped in June, followed by replanting in July for an October harvest. The region was particularly renowned for its Jasmine Rice varieties, Qimei and Simiao.
In recent times, the pursuit of better economic prospects has led many to relocate from Luk Wu, leaving behind only modest operations of vegetable cultivation and the growing of ornamental flowers. Furthermore, the pervasive root systems of the Yanmin Tree and the Indian Almond Tree have posed significant challenges to farming, further complicating the already diminished agricultural activity.
The head of Luhu Village, now in her 80s, stands as one of the most senior residents in the village. Back in the 1950s, she was actively involved in farming paddy and vegetables. The produce harvested from these fields was sold locally in Central or was even exported abroad. However, she retired from farming in her 40s.
Luk Wu is home to approximately 40 residents, with the majority being Buddhist laypeople and monks. Many temples in the area are not open to the public, though some may open their canteens to offer vegetarian dishes to worshippers.
There is often confusion between the terms 'Ching she' (vihāra) 精舍 and 'Temple' 寺院. A 'Ching she' serves as a residence or dormitory for monks and Buddhist laymen and is not open to the public, while a temple is a place for worship, managed by an organization, hosting regular events, and open to the public at designated times.
Buddhism traditionally emphasizes the connection between farming and Zen. Although agriculture was once a significant economic activity in Luk Wu, reduced yields and competition from mainland China led locals to abandon farming in favor of city life. Currently, the remaining farms are used mostly for personal or gardening purposes.
In the past, villagers welcomed the monks and readily embraced Buddhism, appreciating the contributions monks made to local infrastructure. The monks and villagers shared a close bond. At its zenith, Luk Wu was home to about a hundred monks, but now only a few remain. Parry attributes this decrease mostly to urbanization and changes in lifestyle.
According to Parry, the area faces several challenges today. The most pressing issue is land acquisition by triad gangs, who employ unscrupulous methods to evict local villagers, enabling developers to transform the land for use as a columbarium. Additionally, many villagers are unaware of government planning or land use zoning, and it has been discovered that zoning outlines have excluded many village houses from designated village areas, leaving these homes without the right to remain. Furthermore, many temples are in disrepair and in need of public attention and funding for restoration and management.
All villages in Luk Wu and Keung Shan, as well as those along the Tung O Trail, are under the jurisdiction of the Tai O Rural Committee. The village leaders are acquainted with each other and are tasked with mediating disputes and distributing supplies.
An aboriginal resident of Tai O, who is a Buddhist, has been studying Buddhist culture in the Luk-wu area for the past three years. He has brought students from the University to the research area for various activities and exchanges. Currently, he is dedicated to preserving temples.
Sheila began her relationship with the Monks in 1996. She and her husband are volunteers. According to her, it's challenging for outsiders to settle here due to regulations on house modifications. Moreover, renovating these houses is not an easy task. The transportation of materials, finding a local contractor familiar with the topography and climate, every step poses a challenge. Several contractors operate in Tai O, with Mak Wah being one of the more well-known. However, the cost of construction or renovation is high.
Sheila and her husband typically wake up at 4:30 for breakfast and chanting. Throughout the day, they partake in housekeeping and gardening tasks. Maintaining a village house is not easy— sweeping up fallen leaves, cleaning after rain and wind, unblocking pipes, moving LPG, carrying firewood, and dealing with pests can occupy the couple's entire day.
Pests, particularly the Mexican Bean Beetle, are a common issue. There was an instance when tens of thousands of beetles arrived and consumed all the crops in just a day. However, due to their Buddhist practice, they neither kill nor use harmful pesticides. Their approach is to ignore the pests and keep the place as tidy as possible.
Despite these challenges, the area is home to many interesting species. Barking deer, owls, unique butterflies, bees, eagles, lizards, grasshoppers, and frogs can all be found here. The area is named Luk Wu after the sighting of a barking deer.
The river and streams from the mountain run throughout the year. Fresh water supply wasn't provided by the government until 1995. The villagers have long relied on natural water, and some temples still use mountain water despite the government supply. At Sheila's place, they use government water indoors and mountain water outdoors for dishwashing and irrigation. They have their own filtration system for stream and mountain water.
Sheila has noticed that many temples have been refurbished in recent years, and numerous monks and nuns have returned from the city. Compared to other places on Lantau Island, Luk Wu is much more suitable for meditation. There's a tradition where nuns and monks stay for a season. This so-called "Jungle mode" allows people to come and go as they please for a temporary retreat.
Sheila and her husband are Buddhist laymen. Since 1996, she has been volunteering in the region. They currently reside in the Qing Sam Home, built in 1972, where they have lived for five and a half years. The couple now assists with everyday repair work in nearby temples.