2002 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Award for Cultural Heritage Conservation

Mon, 1^st Aug, Melaka. As usual (I) got up at 5.30am to fetch my 3 boys and a neighbor¡¦s kid; also a boy to 3 separate schools about 12 km from where we live. Thereafter I drove to Cheng Hoon Teng Temple, located at Jalan Tokong (Temple Street), adjacent to Jonker Street and Heeren Street, in the heart of the city centre. This also happens to be the oldest Chinese Temple in Malaysia; built in 1673 by a group of Chinese immigrants dwelling within the Kampung Belanda ( Dutch Village ) area during the Dutch East Indies Company¡¦s (V.O.C.) rule.

Amongst the most unique features of Cheng Hoon Teng Temple were that within it encompasses the combined noble teachings of Buddhism ¡V the loving kindness and compassion of Guan Yin, Taoism, and Confucianism as a way of life to preserve unity and harmony for Chinese immigrants in Melaka now and then. Henceforth, in 2002 Cheng Hoon Teng Temple was bestowed as the 2002 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Award for Cultural Heritage Conservation !

In a nutshell, Buddhism promotes equality with loving-kindness and compassion; Taoism stresses on return to nature while Confucianism teaches filial piety. Maybe these non-religious characteristics of the aforesaid have had immense bearings on the humble and peace-loving characters of the Chinese majority world over! Ironically, Buddhism hailed from non-native hinter land of India! Moreover, all the above mentioned teachings were non-religious in nature!

Today is also the 19^th day of the 6^th lunar month of Chinese Lunar Calendar; which happens to be the birthday of Budhisatta Guan Yin ( Alloviakette in Sanskrit ). Many local English speaking devotees considered Guan Yin as the ¡§Goddess of Mercy¡¨ of Buddhism! How true!