Chung Tai World Museum

The Chung Tai World Museum is located in the Lotus Basin at the foot of Mount Hehuan in central Taiwan. Built into the mountain, it seamlessly blends with the natural landscape. Adjacent to Chung Tai Chan Monastery, it is surrounded by lush green mountains and embraced by a clear blue sky, offering a panoramic view of Puli Township. Its Tang-style architecture, combining Chinese design with Western construction techniques, presents a majestic appearance reminiscent of Chang'an City. In Buddhism, it embodies the concept of a 'Dharma-protecting city,' serving as a stronghold for safeguarding Buddhist teachings and historical artifacts. For 30 years, precious artifacts donated by devotees, guided by the founder Grand Master Wei Chueh's vow of 'transforming the world through art,' have been meticulously curated by the fourfold assembly, establishing the museum as a new landmark for culture, spirituality, and recreation in central Taiwan. Stepping into the nine-meter-high grand hall on the first floor feels like entering a realm of pure and radiant Buddhist truth. Above the central main Buddha, the ceiling employs a square rotating design inspired by grotto domes, illustrating the Buddhist concept of 'ten directions and three times' (omnipresent and eternal time-space). When light streams through the central lotus-patterned stained glass onto the three tiers of transformation Buddhas arranged in a circle, visitors feel as if they are in the Flower Store World (Avatamsaka World) where Buddhas and Bodhisattvas gather like clouds, guiding them into the profound sanctuary of Buddhist art. The Chung Tai World Museum is also the only museum in Taiwan with a complete collection of stele rubbings, showcasing the unique calligraphic styles of past masters. Visitors can immerse themselves in the immortal artistic charm of renowned calligraphers such as Wang Xizhi, Yan Zhenqing, Zhang Xu, and Su Dongpo. The museum features the 'Wood Dharma Creation - Interactive Zone,' where digital interactive carving allows visitors of all ages to learn and complete their own wooden sculptures.