The Thean Hou Temple was built by the Hainanese community dedicated to the Goddess Thean Hou (The Heavenly Mother). It is one of the largest Chinese temple in South East Asia and officially opened on 3 September 1989. The Thean Hou Temple is managed by the Selangor and Federal Territory Hainan Association (Persatuan Hainan Selangor & Wilayah Persekutuan).
*Day time visit*
The entrance of the Thean Hou Temple.
Inside the temple, the Goddess of Thean Hou (installed on 16 November 1985) sits between
- Goddess of Mercy or Guan Yin (installed on 19 October 1986)
- Goddess of Water Front or Goddess of Shui Wei Sheng Niang
Top left: Before you enter, remember to take off your shoes.
Bottom left: If you were to pray, you can take 4 joss sticks and preferably put a small donation (any amount) into this donation box.
Bottom right: After finish prayer, you can take home with these flowers/ petals and usually it is used during bathing. There is also a small notice that tell you how much amount you should take.
Lotus Wishing Candle, RM 10
In addition, you can choose to light up this wishing candle. After payment, you can pray and make a wish before lighting this candle. These candles are to placed outside where others can use to burn the joss sticks as well.
This giant dragon was set up in preparation for Chinese New Year celebration. That explained the long delay of this post. xD.
The main gate of the Thean Hou Temple
The Tortoise Pond @ Thean Hou Temple.
There are 2 tortoise ponds located side by side separated by a small bridge.
The tortoises basking under the hot sun while being captured and disturbed by me. When will the 3 little tortoise in my house grow to this huge size??
Eating 'guai li guo' alive?
One of the tortoise back shell was written with 'I Love You' and painted red. That's pretty good idea but not advisable.
A little tortoise splashing out water from its mouth. What would be the taste of the water?
There is also an area with 12-zodiac animals' statues based on Chinese Astrology. The cute tiger boy and girl were taking picture with the might tiger. Take note on the words written on the information board. The TIGER born are Active, Bold, Optimistic, Impulsive, Humorous, Frank, Generous, Pragmatic, Responsible and Tenacious.
Do you know that the Thean Hou Temple comprises of 6 levels?
- Level 1: Souvenirs stalls and canteens
- Level 2: Multipurpose hall
- Level 3: Offices
- Level 4 (which has 3 tiers): Prayer Hall
Charlene taking picture in front of the gateway specially set up for the Chinese New Year celebration period.
The sky is full with the red lanterns.
No joss sticks are allowed to bring into the prayer halls.
Usually, during the Chinese New Year period, prayers will purchase these special plates with the items priced at RM 38, RM 48 and RM 68 which is 'worship' before being brought home and placed at the home altar.
Wen Chang Di Jun: God of Literature, Wisdom, Books and Writing
He's well known in giving blessings to the people who are attending any form of examinations or testings, helping students and blessing schools. There are quite number of rituals being practiced or performed on Wen Chang's Prayer in the Chinese society. They believe that by praying to Wen Chang Di Jun would lead to their children being blessed with stronger will power and diligence to study thus leading to academic excellence. Chinese society worship Wen Chang Di Jun for success, fame, honour and fortune.
One can 'bring' back a 'Wen Ching Calligraphy Pen' and put it on study or office desk for blessings. (minimum charge applied)
One can also walk through the Fortune bridge (FOC) and be blessed with fortune!
You will have to enter from the left then walk towards the centre where two monks will sprinkle the 'holy water' onto you before leaving through the right lane.
Me, Chie Chek, Siew Hoon, Kuan Poh and Charlene
There is one small fountain with the Goddess of Mercy dispensing water from her jar. We took this opportunity to receive blessings from the Goddess of Mercy.
Maitreya Buddha
Maitreya (metteyya or sampa) is the future Buddha of this world in Buddhist eschatology. In some Buddhist literature such as the Amitabha Sutra and the Lotus Sutra, he is referred to as Ajita Bodhisattva. Maitreya is a bodhisattva who in the Buddhist tradition is to appear on Earth, achieve completed enlightenment and teach the pure Dharma. According to scriptures, Maitreya will be a successor of the historic Sakyamuni Buddha. The prophecy of the arrival of Maitreya is found in the canonical literature of all Buddhist sect (Theravada, Mahayana, Vairayana) and is accepted by most Buddhists as a statement about an actual event taht will take place in the distant future.
How to pray Maitreya Buddha?
- Make a bow and sincerely kneel down.
- Carefully fill the ladle and pour water over image of Maitreya Buddha.
- Make a wish, may Maitreya Buddha shower blessing upon you.
The giant dragon at night view.
This is a bigger water fountain with Goddess of Mercy located at the outside compound. Usually, people will make a wish and try to throw the coins to reach to the base of the statue. Success is when the coins landed on the base whereas failure is when it falls into the water.
Address:
65 Persiaran Endah,
Off Jalan Syed Putra,
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Website: http://www.hainannet.com.my/
wow, this temple looks great but you didn't mention where exactly it is. Err, you did mention it is in South East Asia though. :-D
ReplyDeleteoops... alrite..writing it down...
ReplyDeleteHow much time does it take to go round the temple? :)
ReplyDelete