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Wednesday, 01 September 2010 16:01 |
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 ONE of the oldest temples in Penang, the Guan Imm Teng (or Kuan Yin Teng) along Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling was once devoted to Ma Chor, the patron saint of seafarers. This reflected the spiritual needs of the first immigrants from China who were dependent on the sea for their living. As they became more sophisticated and urban, the temple too saw the need to devote itself to a more befitting patron saint. Kuan Yin or the Goddess of Mercy was soon chosen as she espoused values that were parallel to these desires.
This transition took place around the early 1800s. Interestingly, this temple is officially called Kong Hock Keong or "Temple of the Cantonese and Hokkien community". “The name Kong Hock Keong is derived from Kong for Kong Fu, meaning Cantonese, and Hock for Hokkien, and reflects the two main provinces in China from which the majority of the Chinese immigrants in Penang originate.” (Penang Travel Tips)
Founded in 1728, the temple was established before the clan temples which were basically built as a focal point at most clan houses such like the Khoo Kongsi. The Guan Imm Teng also reflected a time when the immigrant Chinese lived as a combined unit before the groups began to split into their own clans.
Nonetheless, the temple continues to be very popular among Chinese Taoists who gather there to worship especially on Temple Days on the first and 15th days of the Chinese calendar. Incidentally, Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling is often known as the Street of Harmony in Penang with its various landmarks of worship, including the Guan Imm Teng.
Reference Related links Click through pictures for slideshow.
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