Monday, September 29, 2008

Yueh Hai Ching Temple

Yueh Hai Ching Temple , also known as ''Wak Hai Cheng Bio'' in Teochew, is a temple in Singapore, and is located at Phillip Street in the Downtown Core, within the Central Area, Singapore's central business district.

Yueh Hai Ching Temple is Singapore's oldest Taoist temple. It was constructed between 1850 and 1855, and was rebuilt in 1895. The temple holds a special significance for the community, whose way of life was closely associated with the sea. It is the only temple in Singapore to have stunningly detailed three-dimensional s on its roofs. Guang Xu presented a to the temple in 1907.

History


Yueh Hai Ching Temple, which means ''Temple of the Calm Sea'', is special to the Teochew community, the second largest Chinese dialect group in Singapore after the s . The Teochews who first came here were often fishermen and sailors and dominated the early trade in seafood. The temple is known as ''Wak Hai Cheng Bio'' in . It is the only temple in Singapore to have such stunningly detailed three-dimensional moulded ornamentation on its roofs.

The temple is believed to have started in 1826 as a wood-and-attap shrine just off the , and was built by immigrants from Guangzhou. of swampy land pushed the shrine inland. Like Thian Hock Keng in Telok Ayer Street, Yueh Hai Ching Temple was popular with newly-arrived migrants who came to give thanks for a safe passage over the ocean. For those who made a living from the sea, being in the good graces of water s was even more important.

The temple was also a meeting place for the Teochew community and remains so in the hands of the Ngee Ann Kongsi today. The present temple was built from 1850 to 1855, and rebuilt in 1895 following plans submitted by Ngee Ann Kongsi.

Emperor Guang Xu presented a plaque bearing the name of the temple to the abbot in 1907, an indication of the high standing of the temple in the Chinese community.

Yueh Hai Ching Temple was gazetted as a on 28 June, 1996.

Architecture



Yueh Hai Ching Temple shows the traditional Chinese temple structure of a walled compound with an entrance gate and a forecourt. The forecourt was originally larger but a part of it was acquired for .

The temple actually consists of twin temples, each with its own entrance and of similar size and arrangement but with different features. The temple to the right is dedicated to ''Xuan Tian Shang Di'' , a male deity, while the one to the left is to '''' or ''Tian Hou'' , a female deity. The altar in the ''Xuan Tian Shang Di'' shrine was brought from China in 1852.

Features


*The enclosed courtyard is characteristic of Chinese architecture. It forms a private world for the people within the buildings. Conforming to the tradition of ''feng shui'', the open space concentrates the ''qi'' in the building complex. The wide forecourt gives a view of the temple.

*Chinese buildings and courtyards are traditionally arranged on an . This line can stretch north to south or, in the case of Yueh Hai Ching Temple, east to west. The length of the complex faces the main .

*Unlike in traditional western architecture where s and walls received more attention, Chinese architecture paid a lot of attention to the . The elaborate roofscape with its heavy three-dimensional ornamentation is one of the temple's most striking and imposing features. The roofscape consists of clusters of one- and two-storey structures in with human s. They depict a Chinese town.

*The exterior walls of the two entrance halls are elaborate and richly decorated with picture panels. These picture panels can be relief plaster with drawings, relief clay with timber or relief plaster. The ornamented scenes are taken from Chinese opera. The granite lintel also has relief s.

*The roof ridges end in a figure which may be interpreted variously as either a dragon or a . A phoenix is a good omen because of its symbolic value — the creature is believed to be able to spit water onto the roof if there is a fire.

*The walls between the halls are well-d with large ornamented circular window openings with mouldings of dragon or phoenix.


*The twin temples of ''Tian Hou'' and ''Xuan Tian Shang Di'' have parallel entrance halls and shrine halls of equal size and elaborateness. They open out to each other through a small inner doorway apart from the forecourt doors.

*Behind the main halls is another smaller open courtyard. Traditional Chinese buildings are extended laterally rather than upwards by adding more courtyards and buildings to the sides or back of the existing compound.

*The temple's living quarters, rooms, and storage space are located at the rear building.

*Yueh Hai Ching Temple has gable roofs with solid walls at the ends. This is known as ''renzi yin shan''.

*Exposed structural elements are another key feature of traditional Chinese buildings. The timbers and s that hold up the huge roof with its mass of ornamentation are open to view. These exposed trusses and are heavily ornamented and brightly painted.

*There are two small five-tiered pagodas at either corner of the temple's front. Next to them are incense burners.

*The temple has both round and square granite columns on bases of matching shape.

Tin Hau temples in Hong Kong

Around 60 temples are dedicated, at least partially to in Hong Kong. They include:

* Tin Hau temple, located at 10, Tin Hau Temple Road, Causeway Bay, east of , in , on Hong Kong Island. It is one of the declared monuments of Hong Kong. The temple has given its name to serving it .

* The Tin Hau temple in Yau Ma Tei is also famous in Hong Kong. The public square, Yung Shue Tau before it is surrounded by a night market of .

* The Tin Hau Temple at Joss House Bay is considered the most sacred. It is one of .

Partial list by district





* 1 temple located at 10, Tin Hau Temple Road, Causeway Bay
* 1 temple in Shau Kei Wan

Islands District


* 4 temples on Cheung Chau
* 1 temple in Fan Lau, Lantau Island
* 1 temple on Peng Chau
* 1 temple in Tai O, adjacent to Kwan Ti temple
* 1 temple in Tung Chung

Kowloon City District


* 1 temple in To Kwa Wan

Kwai Tsing District


* 1 temple on Tsing Yi Island

Kwun Tong District


* 1 temple in Lei Yue Mun village


* 1 temple on Kat O Island
* 1 temple in Ping Che, Ta Kwu Ling
* 1 temple in Lung Yeuk Tau, Fanling

Sai Kung District


* 1 temple at Joss House Bay
* 3 temples on Sai Kung other than the one in Joss House Bay
* 1 temple on South Ninepin Island

Sham Shui Po


* 1 temple in Sham Shui Po


* 1 temple in
* 1 temple in Shek O village, Shek O

Tai Po District


* 1 temple on Ping Chau
* 3 temples in Tai Po
* 2 temple on Tap Mun Chau

Tsuen Wan District


* 1 temple in Ma Wan
* 1 temple in Tsuen Wan Town
* 1 temple in Tsing Lung Tau

Yau Tsim Mong District


* 1 temple in Yau Ma Tei

Thien Hau Temple

Thien Hau Temple, also known as Chùa Bà Thiên H?u in and as Tiān Hòu Gōng in , is a Taoist temple in Los Angeles Chinatown. It is one of the more popular areas for worship and tourism in the Los Angeles area. Thien Hau Temple is dedicated to , the Taoist goddess of the sea and patron saint to sailors, fishermen, and to those whose cultures are associated with the sea, along with Guan Yu, the god of wars, brotherhood, and righteousness, and , the god of the earth, wealth and merit. Dizang, a bodhisattva from the Buddhist faith also has his own shrine in the temple.

The temple is associated with the Camau Association of America, a local benevolent, cultural and religious association primarily directed at and associated to the local Vietnamese refugees from , Vietnam. The group also supports , Vietnamese, Teochew and Thai Chinese communities.

The original building of the temple was originally a Christian church and was bought in the 1980s and transformed into a small Taoist temple. Under a strong faith-based community in and outside of Chinatown Los Angeles, the temple was been able to raise a great deal of donated money with which to build a larger and grander temple next door, which was completed in September 2005. They also dedicated a new ancestral memorial hall dedicated to the bodhisattva Dizang the following month.

On the eve of Chinese New Year, members from various communities gather to receive blessings and to burn incense in worship of the deities. Lion dancers perform and firecrackers are popped in order to scare away an evil spirits. Representatives from over 25 family associations headquartered in Chinatown and other communities are present to light the firecrackers at the stroke of midnight. The temple is often seen in LA Chinatown as a local "Times Square" to celebrate the Chinese New Year.

On regular days, such as the 1st and 15th day of the New Year, the ceremonial bell and drum outside of the temple are played and only vegetarian food is consumed. On some special days, roast pigs are also offered and consumed at the temple, but due to Buddhist influence, meat is often eaten outside and away from the temple.

Many people come to the temple especially during the first week after New Year to receive a blessing for the year. On the 15th day of the New Year people come to the temple to beckon for money from Mazu and to pay back what they promised to her.

The temple also holds a Ghost Festival ceremony in the summer. Buddhist monks are usually invited to chant sutras.

Thian Hock Keng

Thian Hock Keng Temple is the oldest and most important Fukien, or Hoklo temple in Singapore. The main temple is dedicated to , the Taoist goddess of the sea and protector of all seamen, while a second temple at the back is a Buddhist one dedicated to Kuan Yin, the bodhisattva of mercy.

History



After the established a port in Singapore in 1819, early immigrants started to arrive, crossing the hazardous South China Sea. A “joss house” was built from 1821 to 1822 for them to pray and thank the Goddess for their safe passage.

Thian Hock Keng Temple was later built on the site from 1839 to 1842. The renovation cost of $30,000 was covered by donations from devotees, among them Fukien philanthropist Tan Tock Seng. It served as a temple, school and community centre. Grateful immigrants, some of whom became successful businessmen, contributed to the construction. A year after construction began, a statue of Ma Cho Po arrived from China and was installed with great ceremony in the temple's newly completed main prayer hall.

No expense was spared to obtain the finest materials and craftsmen from China. Many materials were recycled, however -- the timber, columns and tiles were formerly on Chinese s, and mosaic pieces used on the temple roof to create bird feathers, dragon s and flower petals were broken pieces of pottery and cutlery from ships. In 1907, the temple received its most precious gift -- a calligraphic panel from the Emperor of China himself, Guang Xu of the Qing Dynasty.

Thian Hock Keng Temple was gazetted as a on 6th July 1973.

Architecture



Constructed in the temple architectural style of southern China, Thian Hock Keng has a grand entrance with a high step in front. The side entrance gates feature brightly coloured tiles portraying peacocks, roses and the universal Buddhist swastika in green and brown. This symbol represents good luck, eternity and immortality.

Guarding the doors are tigers, lions and Door Gods, traditional sentinels of any Taoist temple. Beyond this elaborate entrance are two courtyards. Straddling the courtyards is the temple proper, comprising the shrine of Ma Cho Po. On either side of the temple are pagodas -- the one on the left is a shrine of Confucius while the one on the right houses ancestral s of immigrants who founded the .

Thean Hou Temple

The Thean Hou Temple is a landmark six-tiered Chinese temple. It is located on a 1.67 acres of land atop Robson Heights along Lorong Bellamy, overlooking Jalan Syed Putra . It was completed in 1987 and officially opened in 1989. The property belongs to and is run by the Selangor & Federal Territory Hainan Association . This temple, built by the Hainanese community living in Kuala Lumpur is dedicated to Goddess Tian Hou .

History


Thean Hou temple was constructed between 1981 and 1987 at a cost of approximately 7 million Ringgit.

The installation dates of the Goddesses are as follows:
* 16 Nov 1985 - Tian Hou
* 19 Oct 1986 - Guan Yin
* 16 Nov 1986 - Shui Wei Sheng Niang

The temple was officially opened on 3 September 1989.

Architectural Features


This syncretic temple with elements of Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism is a grandiose structure and represents a successful combination of modern architectural techniques and authentic traditional design featuring imposing pillars, spectacular roofs, ornate carvings and intricate embellishments. Its grand architecture has made it a popular tourist destination.

The front entrance of the temple features a multi-arched gateway with red pillars, the colour symbolic of prosperity and good fortune. Souvenir stalls and a canteen are found on the 1st level. The 2nd level houses the multi-purpose hall while offices are located on the 3rd level. The 4th level has 3 tiers and the prayer hall is located here.

Prayer Hall


The prayer hall houses 3 altars, each with a sculpture of one deity or goddess. As one enters the prayer hall, the altar on the right is dedicated to Guan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy. Tian Hou is in the centre while Shui Wei Sheng Niang is at the left. In the middle of the hall and between the altars are two pairs of Kau Cim oracles that can be used by visitors.

Despite the dedication to Tian Hou, worship of Guan Yin is a recurrent theme at the Thean Hou Temple.

External Features


In addition to her altar in the prayer hall, there is also a smaller statue of Guan Yin to the right of the hall, set amongst rocks and falling water. Here one can kneel and receive a blessing of water from the statue. Outside the temple at the entrance to the grounds, there is a larger statue, similarly set amongst rocks and falling water.

Other features include a Chinese Medicinal Herbs Garden, a Wishing Well as well as a Tortoise Pond.

Finally there is a large statue of the goddess opposite the temple, along with a collection of other large statues that include representations of the twelve animals of Chinese astrology.

Religious and Cultural Activities


Activities such as the grand birthday celebrations for Goddess Tian Hou, Goddess Kuan Yin and the Goddess of the Waterfront are conducted at Thean Hou. Buddhist activities include Dharma Prayers and Wesak Day celebrations. Cultural activities include the annual Mooncake Festival during the eighth lunar month and the Chinese New Year celebration.

Temple Services


The Thean Hou temple also offers fortune telling and marriage registration services.

Recreational Activities


Traditional Chinese exercise and martial arts activities such as Qigong, tai-chi and wushu classes are conducted at the Thean Hou temple.

A-Ma Temple

A-Ma Temple , situated on the southwest tip of the Macau Peninsula, is one of the oldest and most famous temples in Macau. Built in 1488, the temple is dedicated to the goddess of seafarers and fishermen .

The name ''Macau'' is thought to be derived from the temple. It is said that when the Portuguese sailors landed at the coast just outside the temple and asked the name of the place, the natives replied "A-Ma-Gao" . The Portuguese then named the peninsula Macau. The temple was well described in ancient Chinese texts, as well as represented in paintings. It is also one of the first scenes photographed in China.

In 2005, the temple became one of the designated sites of the Historic Centre of Macau enlisted on the UNESCO World Heritage List.