Chun Chu Temple
22°17′21.9″N 114°12′10.4″E / 22.289417°N 114.202889°E
| Chun Chu Temple | |
|---|---|
崇珠佛社 | |
 Entrance of Chun Chu Temple | |
| Alternative names | Sung Chu Temple, 崇珠閣壇, 崇珠閣 |
| General information | |
| Location | North Point, Hong Kong |
| Address | 1B Kai Yuen Street |
| Opened | 1955 |
Chun Chu Temple (Chinese: 崇珠佛社; pinyin: chóng zhū fó shè; Jyutping: sung4 zyu1 fat6 se5; Cantonese Yale: sung4 jyu1 fat6 se5) is a Buddhist and Taoist temple located in 1B Kai Yuen Street, North Point, Hong Kong. Chun Chu Temple was constructed in 1955, founded by a community of Hakka and Hainan people living in North Point, including Lam Wing Fai (藍榮輝) and Li Yuk Yuen (李鈺圓).[1]
During the 1950s to 1970s It is believed to be affiliated to the Kai Yuen Mansion (1930s-1970s) and its residents, the Chan Wai Chow (陳維周) family.[2][3] The Chan Wai Chow family was an influential family which included notable people such as Chen Ji Tang (陳濟棠) a senior general of the Nationalist Chinese army, who at 1929-1936 was also the governor of the Guangdong province; Seaker S.K. Chan (陳樹渠), a doctorate graduate of Colombia University, and founder of many schools in Hong Kong including Chan Shu Kui memorial school , Po Leung Kuk Madam Chan Wai Chow Memorial School (now Chan's Creative School).[4]
Currently, the Chun Chu Temple is a registered temple recognized by the Chinese Temples Ordinance, with around 300 disciples in total.[1]
History
[edit]In the post war period, religious practices were being banned in mainland China. Hence many Vajrayana Buddhism Monks and scholars, borrowing from a renewed interest in Tibetan Esotericism, and Japanese Esotericism, moved to Hong Kong to spread their teachings. As a result, 1950s Hong Kong saw a boom in Vajrayana Buddhism, with multiple temples dedicated to the practice, such as 真如密院, and 普賢佛院 established during the decade.[5]
Chun Chu Temple was constructed in 1955, with it being one of the notable early Buddhist temples in Hong Kong that practices not only Vajrayana Buddhism, but also Mahayana Buddhism, and Taoism. A rare combination within Hong Kong's temples.[6]
During the 1950s and 1960s, it was notable for being an active part of the Kai Yuen Community, such as hosting lantern lighting ceremonies during Lantern Festival, and giving free drinks to the Kai Fong (locals).[7][8][9]
Fuji (Planchette Writing) sessions, a Taoist tradition of using a suspended tray to guide a stick to write Chinese characters into sand or incense ash, were also hosted during the 1950s. Allowing Kai Fong to seek advice from the gods.[1]
Threats
[edit]
From 2010 onward, historical buildings in Kai Yuen Hill are rapidly demolished, leaving some residents and activists worried about the fate of the remaining post-war architecture such Chun Chu Temple in Kai Yuen Hill.[11][12]
The Kai Yuen Hill area has already seen many post-war buildings demolished for redevelopment. For example, in 2011, upper and lower Kai Yuen lane along with Tong Laus from the 1970s were demolished.[13] While in 2021 a row of Tong Laus in 60–74 Kai Yuen Street from 1957, designed by architect Yam Koon Seng (任冠生) featuring a unique curved perimeter, was also demolished.[14]
Scholar Fan Chi Wai believes that Chun Chu Temple is the only remaining building in the Kai Yuen area that relates back to Kai Yuen Mansion and the Chan Wai Chow family. Making the temple very significant within the history of Kai Yuen, and hence worthy of conservation.[2]
Gallery
[edit]-
Kai Yuen Street entrance of Sung Chu Temple. -
View of Kai Yuen Street from Chun Chu Temple. -
Entrance of Chun Chu Temple. -
Interior of Chun Chu Temple -
Altar of Chun Chu Temple, featuring The Three Buddhas. -
Plaque of Chun Chu Temple
References
[edit]- ^ a b c "崇珠閣". 福山堂. Archived from the original on 16 September 2024. Retrieved 16 September 2024.
- ^ a b Fan, Chi Wai. "淺述北角崇珠閣的壇務發展". In 蕭, 國健; 游, 子安 (eds.). 鑪峰古今: 香港歷史文化論集2020. p. 131.
- ^ "【爐峰漫話】遊北角繼園街 探尋文學足跡" (PDF). Wen Wei Po 文匯報. 2 February 2024.
- ^ "Life History of Dr. Chan Shu Kui". Archived from the original on 7 July 2024. Retrieved 16 September 2024.
- ^ "聽講紀實：「百年粵港密宗發展」". 8 July 2021. Archived from the original on 17 September 2024.
- ^ 樊, 智偉. "淺述北角崇珠閣的壇務發展". In 蕭, 國健; 游, 子安 (eds.). 鑪峰古今: 香港歷史文化論集2020. Hong Kong. p. 121.
- ^ "青松仙觀隱廬崇珠閣次第舉行燈及歡宴". Wah Kiu Yat Po 華僑日報. 5 February 1957. p. 11.
- ^ "羊年新春喜氣沸騰佛道善團慶燈聯歡 - 崇珠閣". Wah Kiu Yat Po 華僑日報. 12 February 1967. p. 13.
- ^ "人口局前大擺長龍崇珠閣主贈茶解渴最多時每日贈茶逾千桶". Wah Kiu Yat Po 華僑日報. 18 September 1957. p. 10.
- ^ Broad Development Parameters of the Applied Use/Development in respect of Application No. A/H8/435 - Land falling within "Comprehensive Development Area (2)" zone and an area shown as 'Road' at Kai Yuen Street, North Point. https://www.tpb.gov.hk/tc/plan_application/Attachment/20220726/s16_A_H8_435_0_gist.pdf
- ^ Chan, Katharine; Chan, Samuel; Liu, Edith; Lau, Beverly (22 December 2010). "Paradise Lost in North Point: Kai Yuen Street". Varsity. Archived from the original on 16 September 2024. Retrieved 16 September 2024.
- ^ Zhang, Y. [張燕]. (2018). A lost paradise : the disappearing urban heritage of Kai Yuen Street, Hong Kong. (Thesis). University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR. http://hdl.handle.net/10722/265852
- ^ "消失中的繼園街". Stand News 立場新聞. 24 February 2021. Archived from the original on 13 May 2021.
- ^ 邵, 超 (22 April 2013). "北角繼園街 - 與張愛玲看風景". Apple Daily 蘋果日報. Archived from the original on 8 May 2013.