Chi Lin Buddhist Free School and Buddhist Chi Lin School = 佛教志蓮義學及佛教志蓮學校

Abstract

The thesis examines the history of Chi Lin Buddhist Free School, followed by Buddhist Chi Lin School, which was founded in 1947, and closed in 1994, when Diamond Hill area was replanned. Buddhist Chi Lin School (formerly called Chi Lin Buddhist Free School) has been serving Diamond Hill area for half century. The school began its service from providing children with no schooling eventually developed into primary school education to adapt to community’s need. The school was closed due to the development of Tate’s Cairn Tunnel and redevelopment of Diamond Hill old area. In the thesis, I used the post-war primary education development and Buddhism free school as the starting point with Chi Lin Buddhist free school and school development as example to reflect Hong Kong primary school education development and related history. Through verbal interview, photo portrait and other related resources to visualize and recognize the demolished Buddhist Chi Lin School which have served the Diamond Hill Squatter area for 50 years. The research is using the information and finding of recent interviews with teacher and alumni, 40th anniversary school magazine, photos, newspapers and student handbook etc., being the main historical resources in investigating the features and development of the school in 2 stages: Chi Lin Buddhist Free School and Buddhist Chi Lin School.