The Hock Teik Cheng Shin Temple (福德正神庙) in Bukit Mertajam is an old Shin Temple dating from the late 19th century, probably around 1885. It is also known as Xuan Tian Miao (玄天庙) and Po-Kung Miao (伯公庙). It is now surrounded by a ramshackle market and collection of shop-lots, and could easily be missed in the hurly-burly of the streets.

The Inscription, written in Emporer GuangXu Emperor’s 21st year, is very important as it gives a history and then announces the setting up of celebrations at the Temple (like opera performances), the establishment of the Free School and the undertaking to bury the dead.

The communities that are now there have largely grown up around the Temple following these establishments. It owns and runs one of the largest cemeteries in the district, and many of the shop houses in the immediate vicinity, which means that the temple is quite rich.

Because of this it has also been able to run an Free School, where ethnic Chinese can learn their language and culture, and which is independent of Government support. This is where the temple office is now located.

Although the temple is small it is usually quite busy, indeed the first time I saw it it was packed out during Hungry Ghost Month (2010), when everybody comes and pays respects to their ancestors.

 

Tassles