Pristine pure white ling zhi (Ganoderma mushroom) medicated liquor bottles dispersed around the entire temple, from the interior to the exterior, from the temple halls till the courtyard, from the upper beams to the handrails of staircases. Constructed along the slope, Cheng Choo Tze temple occupied its current address over the period of half a century, utilizing ling zhi medicated liquor bottles contributed by devotees as decoration materials during its rebuilding, an unprecedented style.
Due to ling zhi medicated liquor being favoured by the five deities worshipped in the temple, devotees usually contribute the medicated liquor as offerings in appreciation of advice given by the deities. The directors of the temple collected the liquor bottles under instruction by the deities, and the bottles accumulated over time. After a decade or so, when the deities manifested and proposed a fundraiser to construct a new temple, the directors realised they could utilise the liquor bottles as an environmentally friendly way of beautification. Therefore when the rebuilding project was completed in 2002, Cheng Choo Tze Temple was the only temple decorated by thousands of liquor bottles throughout Malaysia.
Cheng Choo Tze Temple is located in Batu Maung, Penang, a small town near the second bridge of Penang (Jambatan Sultan Abdul Halim). Since 1981, the temple provides altar praying services at least thrice a week, the precious medicinal herbs on the shelves are given on a charity basis to devotees in need. A unique feature of Cheng Choo Tze Temple is having no doors at the few main entrances, and therefore remains open to devotees at any time of the day, being convenient for them to pray to the deities. At the same time, the open style of the temple draws folks staying nearby to gather and chit-chat, and functions to congregate a close-knit community.
From a tiny temple on the hill which has been through relocating once and rebuilding twice, Cheng Choo Tze Temple boasts of over a hundred years in its historical trails. Every year, the blessed event of Master Nine Dragons attracts devotees from all over to join in the celebrations, as well as proactively organising various charity events during all these years in contribution to the local community, adding a touch of warmth besides ensuring continuous devotion.
Text: Daniel Lim & Pua Hui Wen
有你 UNI Production
Producer : Mok Yii Chek
Coordinator : Daniel Lim
Cinematographer : Amelia Lim / Evon Pang
Production Assistant : Michael Lerk
Video Editor : Michael Lerk
Music : Blossum Dance from Youtube
COPYRIGHTS 2019 ECHINOIDEA SDN BHD