Spirit of zen buddhism｜Water Moon Monastery

Flower in Space, Moon in Water,

-founder of the Monastery and Dharma Drum Buddhist Group

Water Moon Monastery has received the Best Taiwan Architecture Award under the 

team of Chris Yao Architect, the Artech.

It was completed in year 2012 and located on the vas of Guandu Plain

 which is an outskirts of Taipei city.

The front side of the site facing Keelung River and backside facing  Datun Mountain which

is the best location for temple or monastery to be proposed according to the Feng Shui.

The design intend to be simple and minimal which utilise the natural beauty of the existing landscape

and connecting the architecture with the surrounding

in order to create a spiritual retreat for all the visitor.

The temple is design in such a way that the hall is lifted up to double volume by the large column.

The higher level was covered by teak facade whereas 

the lower level of the main hall is translucent to emphasis the floating feeling.

In addition, it display the Suspended wooden BOX effect illusion that framed

by the column in certain view.

The way approaching the mainhall was covered by two wall which is designed in axis way

to conceal the expressway of the city. After passing through the walls, there is opening in between,

which allow the visitor to view the facade of the mainhall and the 80-metre-long lotus pond.

On the other building, the facade of the hall is covered by the wooden panel that was carved with Chinese calligraphy to show the words of the famous Heart Sutra ( Buddhist scripture).

The panel allow sunlight to penetrate into the interior part of the building which is mainly 

the corridor area with an aura of culture and spiriturality.

However, during my visit, i couldnot capture the interior part of the building

due to certain prayer and event.

The shadow that casted from the panel reflects the scriptures into the floor

which then reproduce an imprint of Buddha's timeless teaching.

The architect adopted natural colour tone to achieve the peaceful and serenity atmosphere of the monastery. The material that used was concrete, teakwood, limestone and glass which 

is modern yet minimal. The overall design was simple yet respect the spirit of Zen Buddhism.