The Lotus Institute is a centre of the Sakyamuni culture. To provide lecture facilities in such quiet setting surrounded by natural environment can encourage participants to grasp a full understanding of Buddhism. Beside the multi-function lecture halls, there is an exhibition hall whose form reflects the lotus flower. In the hall there are displays related to Buddhism to facilitate a learning of the essence of Buddhism. The exhibition hall design reflects a combination of the “square and the circle” concept of traditional memorial Buddhist building in India, the traditional Chinese tombs, the essence of the lotus flower as symbol of Buddhism and the meaning of retreat. In addition in the centre of the hall, there is a water sculpture depicting waterever flowing nature. This created a modern exhibition building with local characteristics. Most of the spaces in the hall are naturally lid via skylights and naturally ventilated without air-conditioner equipment.The Institute has six multi-function lecture halls. The halls on the ground floor can open up to form a large hall capable of holding near to one hundred persons. The roofs are lined with solar panels and the internal spaces can enjoy natural ventilation over half of the year. The Institute also has thirty odd residential rooms, a canteen, a shop and administration office. There is a modern meditation hall and an unique lavatory. The lavatory is surrounded by water and natural environment. There are no external walls to the lavatory units, and yet privacy can be achieved. People using the lavatory will feel that much closer to nature creating a new experience. The open-air forum area is sited on the water edge providing multi function performance space. The main buildings in the Institute are surrounded by water creating a peaceful environment. This enables the participants to feel being in a place out of this world enabling them to concentrate in the pursuit of a full understanding of Buddhism. The whole Institute is environmentally friendly and aims to provide an energy saving design. Coupled with the latest electronic teaching equipment, this produces a contemporary Buddhist learning centre with an unique character.