{"id":33,"date":"2023-06-05T22:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-06-05T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.mysabah.com\/wordpress\/?p=33"},"modified":"2023-06-09T10:10:53","modified_gmt":"2023-06-09T02:10:53","slug":"sam-sing-kung-temple-sandakan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mysabah.com\/wordpress\/sam-sing-kung-temple-sandakan\/","title":{"rendered":"Sam Sing Kung, the Temple of the Three Saints"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Our world changes so fast nowadays. We may not even remember or recognise something created 10 years old. In Sandakan, there is a Sabah temple that remains standing after 130 years. Built in 1887, Sam Sing Kung (Chinese Name: \u4e09\u8056\u5bae) Temple is the 3rd oldest Chinese temple in Sandakan.<\/strong> It was facing the sea in the beginning, and now it’s facing and blessing the Sandakan City.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Sam<\/a>
Sam Sing Kung Temple (\u4e09\u8056\u5bae), the third oldest Chinese temple of Sandakan. The oldest temple is Goddess of Mercy Temple (1868), followed by Tam-Kung Temple (\u8b5a\u516c\u7956\u5edf) built in 1876.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sam Sing Kung witnesses the history of Sandakan, from the era of North Borneo (now Sabah) colony, formation of Malaysia in 1963, to a famous nature tourism destination of Borneo today. Sam Sing Kung is also one of the attractions in Sandakan Heritage Trail.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Entrance
Entrance to Sam Sing Kung Temple (\u4e09\u8056\u5bae)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The temple was built by the four Chinese communities<\/strong>, namely the Hakka, Cantonese, Hainanese and Teochew, mainly from the Guangdong Province of China. In late 19th century, thousands of Chinese admitted by British rulers to work as labourers, farmers, and merchants to develop Sabah. As the old saying goes, “wherever there is Chinese, there is temple,” naturally these Chinese immigrants also brought in their religions and established Sam Sing Kung as a religious centre in Sandakan, which is also known as the “Little Hong Kong” .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Altars<\/a>
Altars of Lord Guan (\u5173\u4e91\u957f), Goddess of Tin Hou (\u5929\u540e \/ \u5988\u7956), and Min Cheong Emperor (\u6587\u660c\u5e1d\u541b)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Deities in Sam Sing Kung<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Literally Sam Sing Kung means the Temple of the Three Saints<\/strong>, who are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Lord Guan<\/strong> (\u5173\u5723\u5e1d\u541b) \u2013 Saint of Righteousness, a symbol of justice and loyalty<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Mazu <\/strong>(\u5929\u540e\u5988\u7956) \u2013 Worshipped by fishermen (especially Hokkiens) and seafarers for protection<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Wenchang Emperor<\/strong> (\u6587\u660c\u5e1d\u541b) \u2013 Wanna do well in exam, or your children are addicted to gaming? Let him helps<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
    \"Left:<\/a>
    Left: tablet that records the history and story of Sam Sing Kung Temple. Right: Front door of Sam Sing Kung Temple<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    The three saints are great combination because they can answer prayers on prosperity, peace and protection, and health, which cover most wishes of their followers. There are other deities that serve more specific roles. For example, if you want to have a baby, you may ask the Gold Flower Goddess (\u91d1\u82b1\u5a18\u5a18 \/ \u9001\u5b50\u5a18\u5a18), or me.<\/s><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"Guanyin<\/a>
    Guanyin (\u89c2\u97f3), Buddha (\u4f5b\u7956), and the Bodhisattva of the Great Vow (\u5730\u85cf\u738b\u83e9\u8428)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Sam Sing Kung is a Taoist temple that practices polytheism, which believes that there are multiple gods or deities, they are like the officers of heaven and underworld. About 20 deities are sitting in Sam Sing Kung, to name a few, Confucius (\u5b54\u592b\u5b50), God of Earth (\u798f\u5fb7), Protector of Carpenters and Construction (\u9c81\u73ed\u5148\u5e08), and City God (\u57ce\u968d\u7237). Taoism and Buddhism have been influencing each other for thousand of year in China, so you can find altars of Buddha such as Guanyin in this temple.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"Left:<\/a>
    Left: Lukang Shigandang (\u77f3\u6562\u5f53) that drives evil spirits away. Right: list of deities seated in the temple<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Artifacts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Sam Sing Kung is truly a temple of memories and heritages. Many items, from desk, bell, calligraphy, pillar beam, divine poems board to plaques are artifacts with historical values. Even after a century, Sam Sing Kung is still a popular temple for local devotees, who visit this temple for blessing and divination, like what their great grandparents used to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"In<\/a>
    In the middle is the palanquin of Mazu, which is as old as the temple. At the right is the time stamp of the palanquin.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    When you enter the main door, you would see the palanquin of Mazu, which is used in Chingay parade and is as old as the temple. Another interesting antique is a bronze chime bell donated by the first Kapitan Cina of Sandakan, Fung Ming Shan (\u99ae\u9298\u5c71) about 100 years ago. Kapitan is a leader officially appointed by British rulers to look after the local Chinese community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"The<\/a>
    The drawing of Qilin (Chinese Unicorn) on top of banner seems really old.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Feel free to tour around or light up some incense sticks to worship the deities (if you are a believer). The staffs there are accustomed to tourists and would share some stories with you. This temple seems like an ideal filming location of mid-twentieth century drama due to its nostalgia vibe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    How to get there<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Sam Sing Kung Temple is located at the edge of the town field at Singapore Road (Jalan Singapura), in the city centre of Sandakan (see Location Map<\/a>). e-Hailing service (e.g. Grab) is readily available in the city, in case you need one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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