Section 61: Memories of the Kuan Yin Temple

Memories of the Kuan Yin Temple

It was the spring of 1963, a Buddhist lady by the name of Wong Fook Jian in her 50’s bringing along her two daughters Fu Siew Yong and Fu Siew Chin. She kept firmly her nostalgia feelings of Fei Chou of Kwang Tung province of Mainland China. Heading towards the end of the world by crossing the seas, all because of seeking the lost fortunes and the majestic land of China, at the same time escaping from the turmoil and toils of the Land, she was filled with the agony and sadness of the situations.

Having landed on the soils of Bahau in Negeri Sembilan (which is the present site of the 3 star Era Hotel built in 2002), the lady looked at the long stretch of undulating hills on the neighbourhood, she prayed quietly to Kuan Yin Goddess for the site of the temple for devotions of the faith and seeking divine inspirations.

Maybe it’s the power of faith, the bright lights of hope began to materialise her ambitions. Her eyes were sparkling with tears, her emotions were stirred up. Finally, her dreams became true.

Later on, it was the hard labour of laying the foundation amidst the economic conditions and present technical know-how, all because it was the versatility and perseverance of the forefathers.

We behold the unwavering faith of the forefathers by using their barren hands and tools, they laid down the process of building the temple. According to Chen Shu Mei, several persons like Li Kuan Ping, Low Tham and her daughters Fu Siew Fang and Fu Siew Chin were involved in laying down the foundations.

In a short period of two years, when the temple was built, Wong Fook Jian passed away. In 1943, Madam Chen Lian Poh inherited the project and carried on the great task of the temple.

Memories of the Kuan Yin Temple

In 1946, the temple had let its hall to the only Chinese school, so that many people benefited education. Madam Fu Siew Yong who migrated to Singapore was then teaching in the school. After many years and lots of changes, the present site of the temple was torn down – the unique legacy of the town.

From1971, Madam Chen Lian Poh tried to preserve the cultural legacy of the temple, but due to the limitations of the power and finance, it received a notice of vacating the temple site in April 2000. They had to vacate the site in 14days given time. So from 1st of May of that year, the temple was demolished, and the site had become barren. The present building of the Era Hotel had a great impact towards the Chinese community in occupying the site of the temple.

In the spring of 1993, Chen Shu Mei took over the task of preserving the temple. It was in 1998, the priest Sin Foo Fa Shi being the first priest of the forth generation continue the work of the faith. This episode is really extraordinary. In 1997, the priest went to Fu Kwang San of Taiwan for the pursuit of faith. In this period of time, the priest began to realise once doctrine “All the fortune of human life is focussed on one person, if one doesn’t care, one is sinful”. Therefore in 1997, the priest relish everything willing and shove head to become nun and at the same time to bear the responsibilities.

Although the old temple was demolished, a new temple was erected. It is all for the spreading of Buddhism, and the propagating of the ancient Chinese culture, the new temple is reopened. She will like to thank all the devotees and the two Taiwanese priests.

Religious faith and Chinese culture are closely related and knit together. In this era, let us refresh our vision of implementing and empowering the Chinese Culture according to the Buddhist faith!