Goddess of Mercy Temple
Goddess of Mercy Temple | |
---|---|
Religion | |
Affiliation | Buddhism |
Status | Active |
Location | |
Location | Pitt Street |
Municipality | George Town |
State | Penang |
Country | Malaysia |
Location within George Town | |
Geographic coordinates | 5°25′6.398″N 100°20′19.651″E / 5.41844389°N 100.33879194°E |
Architecture | |
Type | Chinese temple |
Date established | 1728 |
Construction cost | $4,000 (Spanish dollar) |
The Goddess of Mercy Temple (Chinese: 觀音亭; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Koan-im-têng), also known as Kuan Im Teng or Kong Hock Keong, is a Mahayana Buddhist temple within George Town in the Malaysian state of Penang. Located at Pitt Street, it was built in 1728, making it the oldest Buddhist temple in the state.[1]
The temple is dedicated to the Buddhist Bodhisattva of Mercy,
While the temple's more secular functions have since been passed on to the Penang Chinese Town Hall, it retains its religious significance amongst Penangites of Chinese descent. It remains a focal point for Chinese festivities such as the annual feast days for Guan Yin and the Jade Emperor's Birthday, attracting devotees from across Southeast Asia.[3][6][7]
History
The temple was founded in 1728.
The worsening feud between the various Chinese ethnic groups in George Town, which culminated in the Penang Riots of 1867, eventually led to the establishment of the Penang Chinese Town Hall in 1881 to take over the temple's more secular role as an arbiter for the local Chinese community.[5][8] From then on, the temple serves a more religious purpose amongst the local Chinese. The temple has been rumoured to possess magical qualities, as it miraculously survived the several attacks on the temple since its inception in 1728. For instance, the temple remained unscathed when the Imperial Japanese Army (IJA) bombed and invaded Penang in December 1941, and survived a handful of other attacks before and during the 1960s.[1][3][9][10][11] The temple was last renovated between 2012 and 2017.[12][13]
Features
Steeped in
Gallery
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Roadside stalls selling prayer paraphernalia beside the Goddess of Mercy Temple.
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Southern Chinese architectural influences can be seen on the roof, which is adorned with various figurines.
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The temple praying hall.
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The temple's main altar toGuan Yin.
References
- ^ a b c Chester Chin (12 November 2018). "What to do at the Goddess Of Mercy Temple, Penang". Star2.com. Retrieved 13 March 2019.
- ^ a b c d Penny Wong. "Kuan Yin Temple in Penang [Georgetown Attractions]". Retrieved 22 May 2017 – via Hotels.com.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Ong Yee Ting (28 November 2006). "Old world charm of a goddess' temple". The Star. Retrieved 13 March 2019.
- ^ a b c Cavina Lim (17 August 2012). "Sacred space for the gods 212-year-old temple retains charm". StarProperty.my. Retrieved 13 March 2019.
- ^ ISBN 978-983-9886-00-9.
- ^ Chong Kah Yuan; Crystal Chiam Shiying (6 February 2017). "Devotees pack jetty to observe Heavenly God's birthday". The Star. Retrieved 22 May 2017.
- ISBN 978-983-9512-12-0.
- ISBN 978-981-230-856-6.
- ISBN 978-0-8047-5292-3.
- ^ "Bomb Attack on Penang Power". The Straits Times. 3 January 1950. p. 1. Retrieved 13 March 2019 – via National Library Board, Singapore.
- ^ "Midnight fire guts stalls". The Straits Times. 1 November 1964. p. 3. Retrieved 13 March 2019 – via National Library Board, Singapore.
- ^ Kiatisak Chua (29 July 2013). "200-year-old diamond stolen from Goddess of Mercy Temple in Penang". The Star. Retrieved 22 May 2017.
- ^ "Devotees throng Goddess of Mercy Temple for consecration". The Sun. 28 June 2017. Retrieved 10 September 2017.
- ^ "Kuan Yin Temple (Goddess of Mercy Temple)". Malaysia.Travel. Retrieved 22 May 2017.
External links
- Media related to Kong Hock Keong Temple at Wikimedia Commons