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The founder of Buddhism, Siddhartha Gautama, was born more than 2,500 years ago in what is now Southern Nepal. Today, there are 300 million Buddhists worldwide, with five million followers in Taiwan alone. Discover the history of this age-old religion with a walk through the countryside just outside of Kaohsiung.

Your journey begins with a relaxing 60-minute panoramic drive north to the Fo Guang Shan Monastery -- Buddha's Light Mountain. Resting in a bamboo forest at the foot of the mountain, the monastery is home to a complex of structures devoted to the practice of humanistic Buddhism, which applies Buddha's core principles to daily life.

Giant Buddha statues welcome you to the Fo Guang Shan Monastery, founded in 1967 by the venerable master Hsing Yun, Fo Guang Shan is the best known Buddhist center in southern Taiwan and is the largest Buddhist monastery in Taiwan. Beyond the Bu'er Gate, 500 vividly sculpted alabaster Arhats stand, each with unique expressions and appearances, bringing them to life. This magnificent display is known as the "Sacred Realm of Vulture Peak" at Fo Guang Shan. The Great Compassion Shrine is located in the western area of Fo Guang Shan, within the section of the Buddhist College for Nuns. Built in the style of a traditional Chinese palace, the shrine covers an area of 8,000 square feet and stands 66 feet tall. Enshrined within is a 20-foot-tall statue of the White-Robed Guanyin, surrounded by 10,000 sacred images of the Bodhisattva.

Continue to the Buddha Memorial Center, covering more than 247 acres. The design of the Buddha Memorial Center is inspired by both an Indian stupa and the Mahabodhi Temple inside the Bodhgaya religious site in India. Above it sits the world's tallest bronze sitting Buddha statue. In front of the statue is the Way to Buddhahood path flanked by Eight Pagodas on either side, making it perhaps the most magnificent Buddhist landmark in southern Taiwan. The center opened in 2011 to promote cultural and religious education. The Cultural Museum here is Taiwan's only museum specializing in Buddhist artifacts. The Buddha Memorial Center has in its possession a relic which is said to be Buddha's tooth -one of only three in the entire world-as well as many Buddhist artifacts donated by various countries. The art gallery displays an array of historical and cultural treasures, including poetry, calligraphy, religious instruments, and antiques. It is one of the biggest Buddhist art treasuries in the world.

Return to your transport for the scenic trip back to the pier with a deeper understanding and appreciation of Buddhism.