About Tian-Jin Temple
In 2012, Tian-Jin Temple, the first temple in Canada to worship the Chinese god, Kuan Kung, opened to the public in Burnaby, British Columbia.
The original Tian-Jin Temple, located in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, was established by temple master Chen Yutang. Both temples' focal deity is Kuan Kung, a revered Chinese military general born in 160 AD, renowned for his remarkable feats in battle. He was later deified for embodying honorable virtues such as fidelity, righteousness, benevolence, and courage.
In 1995, temple master Millie Chen and Clement Yu founded the Chinese Taoism Kuan-Kung Association in Canada. Together, they embarked on the journey of building Tian-Jin Temple in Canada. The temple worships five primary gods and pays homage to numerous others throughout the year.
Originally constructed as St. John the Divine Anglican Church in 1957, the building was acquired by the Association and transformed into Tian-Jin Temple in 2010. The design and décor cleverly merge traditional and contemporary styles while preserving the original exterior structure. This transformation pays tribute to both the historical importance of the church and the traditional Chinese elements embraced by the temple.
Gods of Tian-Jin Temple
At Tian-Jin Temple, we worship five main gods and show respect to many others during our religious ceremonies throughout the year.
In Taoism, it's believed that there exists tens of thousands of gods and goddesses, each embodying various values and aspects of life, to whom you can direct prayers for specific needs. Each one has its own special story and history. Some have been worshipped for thousands of years, while others were historical figures who were elevated to divine status for their exemplary virtues.
Kuan Kung
Kuan Kung is the primary god in Tian-Jin Temple and is revered in temples throughout Taiwan and China. Renowned for his principles of loyalty, benevolence, righteousness, integrity, and courage, he was originally a military general during the Eastern Han Dynasty and the Three Kingdoms era. He later became a god due to his virtuous character.
In the turbulent times of China’s warring era, Kuan Kung stood revered for his battlefield prowess and strategic brilliance, cultivated through a profound love for literature.
Despite his reputation as a god of war, temple visitors can seek his blessings for peace, health, and success in their financial, career, or academic pursuits. He is especially venerated by entrepreneurs, military personnel, law enforcement officers, scholars, and administrative professionals.
Kuan Shi Yin Pu Sa
Kuan Shi Yin Pu Sa, often referred to as “Guan Yin” or “Pu Sa,” represents profound wisdom, boundless mercy, and infinite compassion. Her name in Mandarin, which translates to “hearing the cries of the world,” reflects her compassionate nature. Guan Yin manifests in diverse forms to aid beings in overcoming their afflictions and sorrows. Her tales are deeply treasured throughout East Asia and intricately woven into the folk culture of Taiwan.
In Buddhism, she is also recognized as “Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva.” The worship of Guan Yin dates back to ancient times, with records tracing to the first century CE.
Temple visitors can pray to Guan Yin for relief from suffering, guidance through adversity, resilience in facing life’s trials, physical and mental well-being, and safe childbirth.
Ji Gong
Ji Gong Chan Shi, commonly known as “Ji Gong,” was a Buddhist monk and Taoist priest born in 1130. He is often depicted in tattered robes, wandering the streets with his gourd flask of alcohol and waving a fan. His carefree demeanour and indifference to societal norms serve as a lesson to not judge others based on appearances or behaviours.
Beneath Ji Gong’s eccentric appearance is a heart filled with compassion. Using his profound understanding of medicine and purported spiritual abilities, he assisted the sick, rescued people in danger, and served justice to wrongdoers. The Mandarin character “Ji” in his name means to help those in need.
Temple visitors can seek Ji Gong’s blessings for financial prosperity, business success, healing from illnesses, and longevity. Ji Gong is the only god where meat is accepted as an offering. During ceremonies dedicated to him, people typically offer a roasted chicken thigh alongside high-quality alcohol.
Nezha the Third Prince
Nezha, also known as the Third Prince or “Tai Zi Ye” or Marshal of the Central Altar, is a renowned child god in both Buddhism and Taoism. With a vibrant persona and formidable powers, Nezha honed his skills under the tutelage of the mighty god, Taiyi Zhenren.
Armed with sacred artifacts like a pair of “Wind Fire Wheels” for celestial journeys and a magnificent “Fire-Tipped Spear”, Nezha stands at the forefront of the battle against evil. His story teaches us that no matter our age, we can achieve great things by upholding our values and taking action towards our goals.
Temple visitors can pray to Nezha for safe travels, warding off evil, and the protection and wellbeing of their children.
Di Zang Wang Pu Sa
Di Zang Wang Pu Sa, known as “Di Zang Wang” or “Ksitigarbha” in Sanskrit, holds a prominent place in Taoism, Buddhism, and Asian cultural beliefs. His Mandarin name translates to “as patient and unmoving as the earth, and as deeply contemplating as a hidden treasure.” Legend has it he attained divine status after numerous lifetimes of fulfilling great vows to save beings. Di Zang Wang is also known as the “Great Vow Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva,” for he pledged not to become a Buddha until all beings are liberated and hell is emptied. He takes upon himself the fearful and difficult task of bringing relief and consolation to the suffering beings of hell.
Di Zang Wang’s mount is a mythical creature called the “Di Ting”, who possesses a tiger’s head, a rhinoceros horn, dog ears, the body of a dragon, lion tail, and qilin feet. The creature is rumoured to be able to discern between virtues and vices. Di Zang Wang’s mural at the temple depicts the act of “breaking free from the prison of the underworld”. The lotus flowers amidst the radiant, heavenly light symbolize the souls’ ascent from the underworld.
Temple visitors may pray to Di Zang Wang Pu Sa to assist the dying or deceased, liberate troubled souls who have passed away due to tragedy or self-harm, and resolve karmic burdens from past lives.
Exterior of the Temple
The architecture of a building often reflects the cultural essence and historical legacy of its time. When the Tian-Jin Temple underwent its transformation from a church, new architectural features were introduced to blend modern aesthetics with the original structure's charm.
A striking glass facade now adorns the temple's front exterior, accentuated by sculpted motifs of flowing waves and clouds. The original Christian cross was retained, repurposed to shape the "gold" Mandarin character in the temple's name, "Sky Gold Temple."
A newly added fountain pool in the courtyard, adorned with a hidden dragon motif, adds to the serene ambiance. Positioned prominently at the main entrance, a majestic golden incense burner draws the eye. Inspired by the ancient maogongding design from the Zhou Dynasty, the burner showcases intricate engravings of clouds and waves.
The meticulously tended gardens and stone pathways, diligently cared for by dedicated volunteers, provide a tranquil setting for contemplation and meditation.
Front-facing temple view of the glass exterior.
Main incense burner located outside the main entrance of the temple.
Regularly maintained garden and stone or pebble pathways for quiet reflection.
Second incense burner situated on the left side of the temple for Di Zang Wang Pusa.
The Mural of the Main Altar
As visitors step into the temple, they are welcomed by a grand mural depicting the celestial heavens. The altar, crafted in an elegant arched shape, showcases the celestial trio of sun, moon, and stars. This harmonious blend of artistry and spatial design was masterfully rendered by local artist Steve Hornung. Symbolically arranged, the depiction of the sun, moon, and clouds forms the shape of the yin yang, a prominent Taoist motif. On the left side, star constellations representing the Big and Little Dipper further enrich the celestial ambiance.
The entire mural is luminous in the dark, adorned with 2011 glow-in-the-dark stars, symbolizing the temple's inaugural year. Gazing upon this spectacle can create an illusion of the night sky swirling, mirroring reality.
At the apex of the arch sits the Jian Shi Ye ("Sword Lion"), who regards visitors from its elevated position. It clutches a sword in its jaws adorned with a seven-star constellation, symbolizing the vanquishing of calamities and obstacles.
