In Hong Kong, throwing away statues of deities is prohibited - where do they go (5 photos)

In Hong Kong, you can’t just take God and throw him out in the trash; if you get caught, it won’t be enough. Therefore, local residents take figurines that are too old or too large for a new apartment to the street and display them along the road.





What does a Chinese do if he accidentally breaks a Buddha figurine? You can't throw it away!

This is a sign: “I hope this god finds a new home.” And one old man, 85-year-old Wong Wing-pong, constantly pitied these destitute gods. Previously, they were revered and kept in the house, but now they were kicked out of the door due to old age.

He felt that this was the fate of old people in some callous families; they were deprived of care as soon as they ceased to be useful.



He cleans here regularly, so he remembers every god under protection

Shelter of the Homeless Gods

So for more than 20 years, Wong Wing-pong has been collecting these out-of-home statues along roadsides and putting them on one hillside in Waterfall Bay Park.

He chose this place because there was already one statue there - the patron goddess of fishermen, Tin Hau. And I thought: if Buddha stands here too, visitors will be able to pray to both her and Buddha - it will be much more convenient.

And he made this hill the home of all the gods he had found. Pray to everyone you see!





Freshly painted, even with renewed gilding, beauty

The statues of the gods are placed specifically facing the sea so that they can enjoy the beauty of the views. Now there are more than a thousand “wards” on the hill!

He collected broken statues along the roads, repaired and painted them before placing them on the slope. So that it looks like a sanctuary, and not like a dump of unnecessary things. He still comes here regularly to dust the statue and sweep up the leaves.



Sometimes he brings offerings and incense with him so that the gods do not get bored

When the place became popular, the Chinese, wanting to get rid of the old gods, began to bring them directly to the sanctuary. They know that the “good grandfather of God” will shelter all the orphans and homeless (gods).

People really ask to leave their figurines in this sanctuary hill so that they can come and visit them at least once a year. Wong Wing-pong is very happy when he meets old acquaintances years later.



It’s interesting that Wong collects everyone - both cartoon figurines and classic plaster white ones

He says he feels very good despite his age. And not because the gods are grateful to him for his care. But because he does what his conscience and honor tell him to do, that’s why he sleeps very well and peacefully, and this is the main key to health.

Someone saves abandoned cats, and this Chinese saves homeless Buddhas. I would like to know who will continue his work when Wong is gone.