In 1947, amidst the scars of World War II, a remarkable woman named Xiuyin envisioned a sanctuary of peace. She purchased land in the then-undeveloped Cubao area of Quezon City. This land would become the home of the Poh Chong Temple. Established just a year later in 1948, the Poh Chong Temple became a testament to her devotion. Born in Hui’an, Fujian, Xiuyin embraced a spiritual life at a young age, becoming a lay sister at 18. Arriving in the Philippines in 1929, she dedicated herself to personal spiritual practice. She moved between Cabanatuan and Manila until she found this spot for the Poh Chong Temple.
The Poh Chong Temple’s location was chosen carefully, following feng shui principles. The temple’s entrance faces a creek. The back rests on solid ground, symbolizing stability. This serene setting, with its garden, pagoda, and pond with two pavilions connected by a bridge, offers a tranquil escape. Inside the two-story main building of the Poh Chong Temple, you’ll find Maitreya and the Thousand Hands Thousand Eyes Guanyin enshrined on the ground floor. The three Buddhas are enshrined upstairs. A separate building houses the ancestral hall and the monks’ quarters.
Xiuyin’s legacy continued even after her passing in 1968. Her relative, Shuzhen, also from Hui’an, had been invited by Xiuyin to Manila in 1960. Shuzhen took over the temple’s care. Later, in 1977, Shuzhen became the nun Zhengdao. She embarked on a decade-long project to rebuild the main temple building. Remarkably, she accomplished this without the support of major benefactors, a true testament to her dedication to the Poh Chong Temple.
Today, the Poh Chong Temple continues to thrive under Zhengdao’s leadership. She is joined by two other nuns. The temple maintains a small, dedicated community of devotees. Zhengdao is known for her careful stewardship, safeguarding the temple’s peaceful atmosphere. The Poh Chong Temple observes the feast days of Guanyin and Ksitigarbha, along with celebrations for the beginning and end of the lunar year. These celebrations offer a glimpse into the vibrant spiritual life that continues to flourish within the Poh Chong Temple’s walls.