Once, a man named Chen Jun journeyed from Anhai, Quanzhou. He carried a Guanyin statue from Longshan Temple. This act marked the humble start of what would become the Hoc Chuan Temple.
Let me tell you about the fascinating story of Hoc Chuan Temple. Its name carries echoes of its origin. Fu in Mandarin, the first character, nods to Fujian. Quan, the second, recalls Quanzhou. It represents a wellspring of happiness and wisdom.
Initially, Chen Jun established a private shrine in Zamboanga City in 1881. By 1900, a more suitable location was secured. There the Hoc Chuan Temple was built.
The desire for a permanent home grew in 1937. Yang Shichang formed an association. Their goal was to establish a lasting temple. They raised funds and acquired property. World War II disrupted their plans. Construction only began in 1947. Finally, in 1950, the Hoc Chuan Temple was completed.
A significant moment arrived in 1955. Yinshun visited the temple. However, to become a proper temple, monastics were needed. The board of directors pursued this earnestly.
Their efforts bore fruit in 1958. Ven Chuanguan with companions Chuanhai and Daolü were invited. They agreed to manage the Hoc Chuan Temple. Chuanguan became the abbot. He was from a Buddhist family in Fujian. His training included studying under Hongyi.
The invitation reached them in 1956. Travel papers delayed their journey for two years. Ruimiao from Che Wan Temple in Manila assisted them. In 1958, the three monks arrived in Zamboanga.
Chuanguan expanded the temple’s influence. In 1968, he founded the Avalokitesvara School. By 1991, the temple buildings needed urgent repair. Chuanguan spearheaded a complete renovation. He passed away in 1993 at the age of 89.
The board of directors searched again for an abbot. They found Chuanchan from Fujian. He had been assisting at the Thousand Buddha Temple in Quezon City.
Chuanchan’s arrival in Zamboanga was in 1995. During the Guanyin feast, he was installed as abbot. The temple launched its charity clinic on that day. The school celebrated its 28th anniversary too.
Chuanchan improved the school and upgraded temple facilities.
The Hoc Chuan Temple features a plaza with a pond. The main hall enshrines Guanyin and the three Buddhas. The ancestral hall and a pavilion honoring Chuanguan are behind it. Offices, refectory, and living quarters complete the structure.
Chuanchan remains the abbot. He is assisted by another monk and two nuns. Six teachers from China also reside there. They teach at the school.
The temple observes lunar new year with prayers. They also have three-day chanting in the seventh month. Devotion days occur on the first and 15th of each month.
Students visit the temple for prayers on Friday mornings. A Sunday service was discontinued due to low attendance.
The women’s association helps organize activities. They hold a charity clinic twice a month. The school and temple celebrate lunar new year together.
So here at the Hoc Chuan Temple, you witness not just a building. You experience a living story of faith. It is a story of dedication and community. It is a story that continues to unfold.