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Traditional temples are often secluded in mountain forests, seeking quietude and serenity, but Hui Zhong Temple presents a modern face of “hiding in the heart of the city.” Standing majestically in Taichung’s seventh-phase redevelopment zone, it has become a spiritual oasis within the metropolis. When Venerable Master Hsing Yun first arrived in Taiwan, he stayed at Lei Yin Temple in Yilan. In 1965 he founded Shou Shan Buddhist College in Kaohsiung, and in 1967 purchased land in Dashu Township, Kaohsiung, breaking ground and founding Fo Guang Shan. In 1992 he established the Dong Hai (East Sea) Center to serve Taichung’s devotees, and in 1996 added the “Guang Ming Institute” to strengthen cultural and educational programs. After more than a decade of united effort by Fo Guang Buddhists, Taichung’s membership surged and space became inadequate. After an extensive search, in August 2004 the Master and senior monastics personally inspected the Formosa Restaurant on Hui Zhong Road. The Fo Guang Shan Religious Affairs Committee resolved to establish a comprehensive, modern Buddhist cultural and educational center for Taichung devotees, naming it Fo Guang Shan Hui Zhong Temple. Hui Zhong Temple rises five lofty floors with a total floor area of more than 3,000 ping. The building once contained countless private dining rooms of every size. Respecting the spirit of the existing architecture and guided by the Master’s wisdom, the temple chose to preserve the original layout. Thus Hui Zhong Temple eschews the solemn carved beams and painted rafters of traditional temples, retaining the restaurant’s original appearance and plan: an exterior of European Baroque style. Abbot Venerable Jue Ju remarked, “The restaurant was decorated with elephants—how fitting! In Buddhism the elephant symbolizes the Great Vehicle; perhaps this place was always destined for the Dharma.” A temple and a restaurant would seem unrelated, yet astonishingly the dining space needed only slight modification to become an elegant place of practice. A visiting professor of architecture from Nanhua University once said, “This is a remarkably successful architectural transformation.” In 2007, bhikkhus from Thailand’s Chulalongkorn Buddhist University visited. The moment they stepped off their bus and saw Hui Zhong Temple, their eyes widened in admiration. During the ensuing discussion the very first question was, “Are all Fo Guang Shan temples like this?” Turning a restaurant into a temple, letting a pure white lotus bloom amid the ten-foot red dust of the world—how could this be accomplished without “magic”? It is said, “Where there is the Dharma, there is a way.” Private dining rooms became classrooms and dormitories; the third-floor grand ballroom became the Main Shrine. The circular roof creates superb acoustics: during ceremonies the chanting resonates and blends beneath the dome, lingering melodiously. Standing before Hui Zhong Temple, you will see the central glass doors always open wide, waiting to form affinities with all who come. Inside, twin staircases spiral upward, a favorite backdrop for bridal photos. Overhead, a soaring glass skylight lets sunlight cascade like glittering gold, reminiscent of the jeweled realms of the seven treasures. The imposing atrium exudes cultured elegance and solemnity. The circular service desk just inside the west entrance is dedicated to serving visitors. Come to Hui Zhong Temple—you will discover its rich, multifaceted character and enjoy an experience unlike any other!