Consider the story of Reverend Father Wong Seng Tian a Taoist Grand Minister. He is also a Feng Shui expert at Sheng Lian Temple. Sheng Lian Temple is a religious center. It is open until 5 PM daily. Sheng Lian Temple has a strong social media presence. It has over one thousand visitors and almost one and a half thousand likes on Facebook.
Sheng Lian Temple is located in Quezon City. Its address is 159 Bayani Street Barangay Doña Imelda. The GPS coordinates are 14.61492 121.01957. Sheng Lian Temple is easily accessible. Several hotels are nearby.
But there is also a Lian Hwa Temple in Malabon City. It started in the 1950s. Seven Buddhist women built a house for practice. Huixiang managed the place. After her death in 1961 Miaozong and Miaoshu took over. Both had been cared for by Huixiang at Shoushan Hall in Fujian. They received Buddhist education in Quanzhou. Then they came to the Philippines invited by Ven Jueding. He was Huixiang’s older brother.
A new temple was needed. An association formed to build it. Jueding from Seng Guan Temple became the abbot. Miaojue of Hwa Chong Temple helped with the design. Miaozong and Miaoshu supervised. The new Lian Hwa Temple opened in 1976. Jueding died in 1996. Miaoshu became the leader and a nun in 1999. Ruijin presided over the ceremony. Miaoshu recognized Jueding as her master.
The main building has two floors. The ground floor has the Guanyin shrine and ancestral hall. The second floor has the main shrine to the three Buddhas. Another building houses the dining room kitchen and dormitories. Miaoshu still heads the temple. A local-born Chinese nun also lives there. Laywomen serve in the temple.
The 18th of the lunar month is a special day. Feast days are celebrated then. Special emphasis is on the first fourth and seventh months. The Guanyin feast days are on the 15th of the second sixth and ninth months. The temple’s anniversary is on the 27th of the eighth month. Devotees chant the Buddha’s thousand names. Forty to one hundred devotees attend these services. Charitable activities are sometimes organized. They often work with other temples. Sheng Lian Temple and Lian Hwa Temple offer unique spiritual experiences. Each provides a place for worship reflection and community. They continue to serve their communities.
Let’s remember Sheng Lian Temple. It is a testament to faith and cultural heritage. It enriches the spiritual landscape of the Philippines. Its doors are always open. May your visit bring peace and enlightenment.