The Chu Un temple in Cebu, with its colorful history, is also a great example of Chinese Architecture and a symbol of faith.
A temple is a place where believers of certain religion came to worship, give praises and offerings to their god, or gods. Temples all over the world serves as a sacred place for gathering and celebrating festivities for their holy ones.
The Chu Un temple is located in V. Rama Avenue Cebu City, Central Visayas. It was basically, on top of the other places in Guadalupe, overlooking the busy streets and high skyscrapers of the City of Cebu that this temple stands. Who would have thought to find a silent refuge along the noisy city? Of course, none. But later on, as I came to discover this place, I have realized how great was it to find a very relaxing place in the midst of the active and loud roads of the city.
The Chu Un temple was built in honor for the late mother of the Luym family; the couple Mr. Paterno Luym and his wife Rosita Luym were the ones who took the responsibility of making their plan possible. Although, they were Catholics, they still decided to build the temple, for their mother was one devoted Buddhist. It has been said, that the family went to Taiwan for Master Hsing Yun, in Kaoshiong city to ask for “assistance” in building the temple. Master Hsing Yun, founded the Fo Guang Shan monastery, and this Chu Un temple, is one of the many Fo Guang Shan Buddhist temples in the world. It was during the year 1989 when this temple was completely put into form.
March of 1989, when the two Venerable, Yung Guang and Tze Rung arrived at the temple. And on September 1, 1990, the late head Abbot Venerable Hsin Peng, came to the temple together with a group of disciples to “celebrate the completion of the temple” they also make the “purification” rite of the Kuan Yin shrine. In 1996, two Venerable raise funds also, with the help of those devotees to build the “3-story building” located just beside the Main Shrine or the main hall of the temple.
When asked why almost all of the temples were located on top of a mountain of elevated area, Mr. Erwin Go- the person who welcomed me in the Temple, and apparently the one I interviewed, says” Basically, those times (long ago when the Master Hsing Yun searched for a place to pray in the areas of Taiwan), places were mountainous, all forested. So Master Hsing Yun decided to pray there for there was no any other place he would choose.” That was his explanation. While, some also believed that they were worshiping the Heavens,that is why, temples are on top of the mountains or above any low places. At present, the Temple was under the direction of Fu Guang Shan Manila by Abbot Venerable Yung Zhao.
The Chu Un temple, aside from its very terrific history, is also a magnificent paradigm of cultural institution and brilliant Chinese Architecture. Chinese architecture is mostly shown in Chinese’s temples and structures. And some information says that the majority of Buddhist style was stupa (t’a) or pagoda type. Pagoda was primarily used to “house sacred objects”. The structure was also mostly made out of wood. The shapes of these structures are “storied tower’ and seldom, an uptown bowl. And through the years, it took different shape from “storied tower”, ”tetragonal”,”diagonal”, and “octagonal”.
It varies from one Chinese Dynasty to the other. Another person, told me, who was Mr. Espiritu during our fieldtrip with the other students in history 2, that pagoda type of architecture, is mostly concerned of the oneness of the people with nature, as some of the temples put the design of a pine tree in the roofs. The structure of this Chinese architecture was basically based on the concepts of “balance and symmetry”. The designs in the interior part of the temple show how Chinese’s social and ethical beliefs influenced the whole shrine. One instance is that the color or the main hall or main shrine of the Chu Un temple, mostly it was red and green in the other parts. But dominantly, red is present.
Why is this so? Red for Chinese means health and prosperity. While the color green, means life. It is not just the Chinese people who believed in this meaning but also, and most of the time it was the Buddhists who put this as the real significance of these colors. The Chu Un temple from the outside was inviting. Aside from the main hall where prayers, chanting and offerings are often celebrated and offered, it also serves as the welcoming structure of the temple.
When I look at the temple outside it, it was marvelous as the roof sways like river, the roof looks to be made out of wood, but it’s not. I think it was mostly made of cement. It is colored with red. Many would also ask why temples show a dual roof structure. “This tells us that many times, we look at things in different ways.” Mr. Erwin Go started to share. “Sometimes we are blinded by what we see on its outside.” He continues.” In this way, we can compare it to people who always put himself as correct. That person will never listen to what the other may say for they believe they are not to be corrected. In this situation, the trouble begins.” He also told me that the purpose why the roof looks like it was a 2-story building was that,” a person must not perceived by what the eyes can see. He should look beyond what he sees.”
The first thing that welcomes me outside the temple was a big Rabbit- made of wood, which says “Skillful wisdom and enlightened mind”. Beside the rabbit was a statue of the Mother of the Luym family, it was more likely made of metal and its color was bronze. Then, the entrance of the beautiful temple was there, with its big doors widely open as if saying “come! You are very welcome!” Inside the main hall there were a couple of red flat long chairs. The floor was made out of tiles, the doors with glass and the whole structure was made of cement. In the altar or the front of the hall was a Statue of Avalokitesvara Budhisattva (Kuan Yin).
It was white that makes it look like it was made of marble. And some other things were present in the altar such as; flowers and small figures of Budhhas. The roof in the inside is pointed, it was really tall. That makes my first impression wrong. I always thought it was a 2-story temple.
The other building beside the main hall was a 3-story building. These were its parts; the ground floor of the building was said to be dedicated to Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, also known as Ti Chang Wang Pho Sa who was said to be the one who made a vow to safe those who were suffering in hell.
The second floor of the building was where Amithaba Buddha is. He was said to be the one who carries the prayers for the dead. In the second floor also, there were small compartments there, where the ashes of the departed loved ones of some of the families were placed.
In the third floor, it has 3 divisions, first was the “Tea room”, next was the “conference room”, and the last was the “remembrance hall” for the “departed elders of the Luym Family”. The whole building was made of cement.
At the back of the main hall or the Kuan yin shrine, was the “Bamboo Garden dining Hall” there was even a small fish pond, with carp fishes in front. The dining hall was quite simple. It was color white, it is a two story building, and the things I only see in there were small tables and some Buddha images. The whole place was fantastic. It was quiet, so solemn but the scenery was great, as it was overlooking the busy city of Cebu.
The garden beside the main hall is very conducive for studying. What even surprised me a lot was that aside from being a place to worship, the Chu Un temple was open for those who want to visit and experience the calmness and relaxation. It was more than just a temple; it was for me, a haven. The artistic structure of the temple made it even wonderful to look at. From its roof, color, location and atmosphere, all of these, were exemplary.
The beautiful architecture was none, compared to the most amazing feature of the Chu Un temple, and that is, the faith it symbolizes. Buddhism is a practice of contemplation in some aspects, as to how one will reach his or her enlightenment. I was able to ask Mr. Erwin Go little things about Buddhism, and this was his insights,” mostly, religion speaks about faith, and so with Prince Siddhartha Gautama then, he was looking for a way to end suffering, the suffering of man through different situations. And mainly how to be happy, and contented.” He continues,” so basically, Buddhism, is a way of life. Some would consider it as a philosophy and some psychology”.
Buddhism is a very broad topic to discuss in one certain moment. More than just being a symbol of faith the Temple represents the whole of the people who wanted to follow the principles of Buddhism. It is the place where Buddhists come together as one, and celebrate special instants of their lives and their Buddha. Buddhism is very flexible it adapts the culture of the place where it stands. Also, it bends in some situations of the place. “There’s no rigid requirements in Buddhism, it just about real Enlightenment.” Mr. Go said.
The Chu Un temple, along with other temples in the Philippines, also celebrates some festivals with our country, and some, by the special days in Buddhism.such as; Chanting services during the date of birth of Avalokitesvara Budhisattva (Kuan Yin), before I arrived at the temple, twice a month gathering of the devotees of Buddha, they also celebrate the enlightenment of Buddha, new year, also Chinese new year. Also, they commemorate their departed loved ones and offer prayer for them. They pay homage to thousand of buddhas. “Actually, anyone can become a Buddha, even you, yourself can become one, but, that would only happen if you cultivate.” Mr. Go added. “Those Buddhas that we paid homage for, all received Enlightenment because they were able to nurture their desire to seek for Enlightenment.”
There were some of students who tried to visit the temple more often “Some,” Mr. Go said.” Came from your school, others from St. Alfonzo’s Catholic School, they have been visiting us for 3-4 years, also there were students from St. Teresa’s College and just about a week or month ago from the University of San Carlos’ Seminary. Most of these students wanted to know more about Buddhism.”
The Chu Un temple was a great place to be at, I have enjoyed touring the whole place because of the structure and the peaceful environment. Also, with the very heart warming welcome Mr. Erwin Go and some of the personnel there. I was able to enjoy so much my second visit in the temple.
It was not known yet that this place is open for all. But with the effort of dome who wanted to promote the temple, little by little it was made possible for the temple to serve tourists and devotees.
The Chu Un temple also imparts in the Siddhartha musical mostly performed by Cebuano theater artists and musicians. So if you would like to escape the noisy roads of your place, don’t hesitate to visit the temple at V. Rama Avenue, Cebu City. Where you can not only relax, you can also experience a moment of reflection with yourself by exploring and learning the wonderful image of the temple and the message it brings.
sources of info:
http://www.lds.eacomm.com/emailpage.php?page_id=208
And i would also like to thank the persons who accompanied through my tour. Kyllie Iseult Capacio and Virgilio Bito. THANKS GUYS! I HOPE YOU ENJOYED OUR TRIP.
