While Dr. Tan and I were going around the temples in Bukit Mertajam quite by chance we stumbled across a Chinese temple dedicated to the god Tua Peh Kong in Kampong Baru.
In fact we had been looking to post a letter and where we stopped to accomplish that task I saw the temple and decided to have a look while Dr. Tan posted the letter.
It is situated along a street hosting rows of shops and is one of those places easily missed or overlooked in the clutter of business-as-usual.
Well it was quite a find! The stone work has obviously been done in China and imported, which must have been expensive as the work is very well done.
I could recognise one of the stories illustrated, which is of the Arahat Pindola taming the tiger, but most of the characters elude me. If anyone can add to our knowledge please leave a comment below.
For the high-definition files, slideshow and more photographs please see the SOURCE.
Tua Peh Kong
Temple Roof
Dragon
Money Come Window
God Tua Peh Kong
God
Pelican
Flowers
Lotuses
Donation Plaque
Pindola
Pindola
Tiger Dragon
Tiger Dragon
Unidentified Characters
Unidentified Characters
Unidentified Characters
Unidentified Characters
Unidentified Characters
Tree
Doves
Lion
Fish
Flowers
View of Pillar and Wall
Those are beautiful! How old are they? Reminds me of my teens time when I sought teachings at Chinese temples and got confused with the myriad of deities adopted from Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism. A basket of salad indeed. But I am still moved when I see beautiful temples. I think I see Guan Yu (Sangharama Boddhisatva), and characters from Ba Xian Guo Hai: Li Tieguai, Han Zhongli, and Lan Caihe. But I can be wrong, why don’t you ask the temple attendant, Bhante?
Hi Terasi and thanks for the comment. I think the stonework must be quite new. When we were there there was no attendant around, but Dr Tan later informed the committee and I may be able to get more info when I am next out. But I will have to wait for Dr Tan to return from China, so it will be a couple of weeks.