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The Kuan Yin
Temple was built in the 1800s by early Chinese settlers
of the Hokkien and Cantonese communities. The temple was
originally named Kong Hock Keong temple (Cantonese-Hokkien
Temple) and was once used not only for religious but
also for social functions within the Chinese community.
However, the temple lost some of its importance when the
current Chinese Town Hall was constructed in the 1880s.
The Goddess
of Mercy Temple, or Kuan Yin Temple, is the first temple
ever built in Georgetown, Penang, by Chinese settlers.
The temple honours Kuan Yin, a devout Buddhist who was
said to have attained the coveted state of Nirvana but
had chosen instead to remain on earth in order to
provide guidance and help to those who are themselves
striving to reach Nirvana. The temple interior is
usually filled with the scent of sandalwood incense,
burnt by devotees who visit the temple to pray and seek
guidance from Kuan Yin.
The
temple also honours Ma Chor Poh, the patron saint of
seafarers, who was highly regarded by the Chinese
settlers, many of whom had travelled great distances,
crossing the seas from China to Penang.
Enjoy the
temple's many beautiful features like the
dragon-entwined pillars, carved from a type of green
stone, which support the temple's high roof. Also look
for the statue of Kuan Yin, located in an inner chamber,
which depicts a woman with 18 arms, who has a
countenance which exudes inner peace and worldly
contentment. |
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