Search Buddhist Channel
Troubled Hong Kong cable car could be sign of Buddha's unrest
Earthtimes.org, June 15, 2007
Hong Kong, China -- An accident in which a cable car cabin plunged 50 metres to the ground could be the latest sign that Hong Kong's Big Buddha is unsettled, said a news report said Friday.
According to a fung shui expert quoted in the South China Morning Post, the accident on the Ngong Ping tourist ride Monday may indicate the cable car had disturbed the tranquility of nearby Big Buddha statue and monastery.
The cabin, capable of carrying up to 17 people, was empty when it broke free and fell the equivalent of 13 storeys from its cable on on Lantau Monday evening.
The accident took place during a test run at 8 pm, an hour after the 5.7 kilometre ride, which takes people hundreds of metres above sea and steep hillsides to the 34-metre-high Big Buddha statue at the top of the island, had closed.
The ride remained closed indefinitely Friday pending an investigation which will include experts from overseas.
The accident is the most serious setback for the 125-million-US-dollar attraction, which has been dogged by a series of mishaps which began even before it opened last September.
Technical problems delayed its original opening for two months and were followed after its opening by a number of incidents on the cable car ride in which passengers have been stranded for up to two hours by mechanical problems.
Fung shui consultant Mak Ling-ling told the Post the problems may be due the fact the ride had disturbed the tranquility of the Big Buddha and the Po Lime Monastery nearby.
In 2002, the monks of the monastery opposed plans to turn government land in front of their temple into a piazza with shops and restaurants to draw more tourists to the site which is already one of Hong Kong most visited attractions.
Mak said the problems could also indicate that certain ceremonies to encourage good luck were not conducted properly or were ommitted.
"This area of Lantau could be described as a religious site," Mak said. "The doorsteps of a monastery should be peaceful and calm. I would not go so far as to say this latest incident is a sign from Buddha, as Buddha is merciful, but it is definitely a sign there is something wrong from a fung shui point of view."
The operator Skyrail did consult a fung shui master over the date of the soft opening date, however, Mak said the final opening date if September 18 was not a particularly good day in the fung shui calendar.
Buddhist AI Chat Bot NORBU!
(Neural Omniscient Robotic-Being for Buddhist Understanding)
For Malaysians
who wants to donate in MYR, please use the following account:Account Name: Bodhi Vision
Account No:. 2122 00000 44661
Bank: RHB
The SWIFT/BIC code for RHB Bank Berhad is: RHBBMYKLXXX
Address: 11-15, Jalan SS 24/11, Taman Megah, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Phone: 603-9206 8118
Note: Please indicate your name in the payment slip. Thank you.
Dear Friends in the Dharma,
We seek your generous support to help us train NORBU, the word's first Buddhist AI Chat Bot.
Here are some ways you can contribute to this noble cause:
One-time Donation or Loan: A single contribution, regardless of its size, will go a long way in helping us reach our goal and make the Buddhist LLM a beacon of wisdom for all.
How will your donation / loan be used? Download the NORBU White Paper for details.
For Malaysians
who wants to donate in MYR, please use the following account:Account Name: Bodhi Vision
Account No:. 2122 00000 44661
Bank: RHB
The SWIFT/BIC code for RHB Bank Berhad is: RHBBMYKLXXX
Address: 11-15, Jalan SS 24/11, Taman Megah, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Phone: 603-9206 8118
Note: Please indicate your purpose of payment (loan or donation) in the payment slip. Thank you.
Once payment is banked in, please send the payment slip via email to: editor@buddhistchannel.tv. Your donation/loan will be published and publicly acknowledged on the Buddhist Channel.
Spread the Word: Share this initiative with your friends, family and fellow Dharma enthusiasts. Join "Friends of Norbu" at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/norbuchatbot. Together, we can build a stronger community and create a positive impact on a global scale.
Volunteer: If you possess expertise in AI, natural language processing, Dharma knowledge in terms of Buddhist sutras in various languages or related fields, and wish to lend your skills, please contact us. Your knowledge and passion could be invaluable to our project's success.
Your support is part of a collective effort to preserve and disseminate the profound teachings of Buddhism. By contributing to the NORBU, you become a "virtual Bodhisattva" to make Buddhist wisdom more accessible to seekers worldwide.
Thank you for helping to make NORBU a wise and compassionate Buddhist Chatbot!
May you be blessed with inner peace and wisdom,
With deepest gratitude,
Kooi F. Lim
On behalf of The Buddhist Channel Team
Note: To date, we have received the following contributions for NORBU:
US$ 75 from Gary Gach (Loan)
US$ 50 from Chong Sim Keong
MYR 300 from Wilson Tee
MYR 500 from Lim Yan Pok
MYR 50 from Oon Yeoh
MYR 200 from Ooi Poh Tin
MYR 300 from Lai Swee Pin
MYR 100 from Ong Hooi Sian
MYR 1,000 from Fam Sin Nin
MYR 500 from Oh teik Bin
MYR 300 from Yeoh Ai Guat
MYR 300 from Yong Lily
MYR 50 from Bandar Utama Buddhist Society
MYR 1,000 from Chiam Swee Ann
MYR 1,000 from Lye Veei Chiew
MYR 1,000 from Por Yong Tong
MYR 80 from Lee Wai Yee
MYR 500 from Pek Chee Hen
MYR 300 from Hor Tuck Loon
MYR 1,000 from Wise Payments Malaysia Sdn Bhd
MYR 200 from Teo Yen Hua
MYR 500 from Ng Wee Keat
MYR 10,000 from Chang Quai Hung, Jackie (Loan)
MYR 10,000 from K. C. Lim & Agnes (Loan)
MYR 10,000 from Juin & Jooky Tan (Loan)
MYR 100 from Poh Boon Fong (on behalf of SXI Buddhist Students Society)
MYR 10,000 from Fam Shan-Shan (Loan)
MYR 10,000 from John Fam (Loan)
MYR 500 from Phang Cheng Kar
MYR 100 from Lee Suat Yee
MYR 500 from Teo Chwee Hoon (on behalf of Lai Siow Kee)
MYR 200 from Mak Yuen Chau
We express our deep gratitude for the support and generosity.
If you have any enquiries, please write to: editor@buddhistchannel.tv