Wisdom Path
Overview
The Wisdom Path was completed in 2005, the installation combines philosophy and art amid lush greenery. It’s just a short distance from Ngong Ping Village, The Big Buddha and Po Lin Monastery. This peaceful trail winds through the foothills of Lantau Peak on Lantau Island.
Wisdom Path features 38 giant timber columns, each 8 to 10 metres tall and 1 metre wide. Each column is inscribed with calligraphy that recites the complete verses of the centuries-old Heart Sutra.
Originally written in Sanskrit as Sāhasrikā-prajñā-pāramitā, the inscriptions at Wisdom Path use Chinese translations by Xuanzang from the Tang Dynasty. The columns are arranged to form an unbroken infinity symbol, reflecting the wisdom and completeness of the Heart Sutra.
The calligraphy of the Heart Sutra was donated by Professor Jao Tsung-I, an internationally renowned master in academia and art. While visiting China in 1980, he was inspired by Buddhist stone carvings on Mount Taishan. He created the original calligraphy, which was reproduced on the wooden columns.
One column, marked number 23, was intentionally left blank to convey a sense of the 'emptiness' highlighted in the Heart Sutra. Professor Jao believed that an empty mind, open to wisdom, captures the essence of the Heart Sutra verses.
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