The second oldest temple in Kuching is the one on Carpenter Street erected by the TeoChew community. It was built in 1896(?) in honour of Hian Tien Shian Tee, God of Heaven who was born on the third day of the third moon and died on the ninth day of the ninth moon. On earth he was low ranking in saintliness. He was forbidden to eat meat but did so. When Buddha confronted him he denied the charge. The Buddha struck him on the back and from his mouth came a turtle and snake. At this, and in shame, he cut opened his stomach and with a knife and died. He ranks high in the saintliness of life. In commemoration, turtles are kept in a concrete tank.
The Temple in 1959
There are two panels high and coloured relief figures on the walls, the traditional tiger and a sea serpent of a dragon breaking through the waves. A special item is the right hand of one of the two lions outside the temple which has in his claws a ball, which is of the same stone, as the lion cut clear without ever having been displaced. The ball runs up and down locked with the figure. The usual Puey, for testing one fortunes are numerous in this temple. You continue to throw these split roots of bamboo til one falls on the flat side and the other on the curved side. One then consults the proper fortunes located on a slotted wooden panel.
The temple has several nice brass bowls with a dragon head design and inscribed with the name of the god. A stoneware jar from Kiang-si exactly copies the brass design. Another one of pale blueish green is inscribed to the goddess Thian En Kong. There is also a seoarate altar to the goddess who looks after young children, Huay Kong Mah.
Editors Note: I am not sure this is the second oldest temple. Will have to check my notes.
From: Chinese Temples in Kuching II by C.P. Law in the Sarawak Museum Journal December, 1959
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