Properties from a feng shui perspective: Part 117
By David Koh and Joe Choo | Nov 27, 2009
Feng Shui: Hilltop temple
Despite its strategic location near the city and next to the Federal Highway, Taman Seputeh seems to be languishing in relative obscurity compared to neighbouring areas such as Bangsar. Previously, we conjectured that perhaps the presence of a cemetery next door is a deterrent.
Of course, the politically minded may also attribute Seputeh’s backwardness to the constituency being represented by the opposition party and therefore lacks funds for development. We think not as there are ample condominium projects here, and certainly the developers contributed to improving at least the road infrastructure.
Perhaps, Environology (Feng Shui) plays a part as well. Let us continue along Jalan Robson. Incidentally, the road was named in honour of J.H. Robson, the founder of Malay Mail back in December 1896. The Federated Malay States was newly formed then and the daily was the territories’ first newspaper.
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The Thean Hou Temple is a modern landmark in Kuala Lumpur
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Branching steeply off Jalan Robson is Persiaran Endah, a road that leads up to the Thean Hou Temple. This is quite an impressive looking structure on top of a hill and is even listed under a list of 1,000 must-see places before one dies.
It has a grand appearance with ornate designs – imposing pillars, ornate embellishments and distinctive roofs. Despite its authentic traditional appearance, the finishing is most done with modern techniques, using plaster casts, cement and ceramics instead of actual carvings. This helps the complex maintain its new appearance, unlike wooden structures.
six-tiered temple was completed in 1987 costing roughly RM 7 million. It was officially opened in September 1989. It is owned and run by the Selangor and Federal Territory Hainan Association. The actual temple sits on the top level while the lower floors are used as offices, a multi-purpose hall and souvenir stalls.
Heavenly mother
The temple is dedicated to the goddess Thean Hou (heavenly mother). There are also altars for Guan Yin, the goddess of mercy and Shui Wei Sheng Niang, the goddess of the waterfront. It seems that despite its dedication to Thean Hou, there seems to be a preference to Guan Yin – smaller statues of the goddess can be found set among rocks and an artificial waterfall, and devotees can use the water for blessings.
Apart from catering to devotees, the temple also offers marriage registration services, and activities such as qigong, tai-chi and wushu classes.
The temple features elements of Buddhism, Taosim and Confucianism, which typifies the collective “Buddhist” faith of the Chinese. Buddhism and Taoism tend to borrow each other’s popular deities to attract devotees to their temples.
Thean Hou is also known as Mazu. In Macau, the name was believed to have been derived from the A-Ma Temple, which is devoted to Mazu. This temple was built in 1488 and was even described and drawn in ancient texts. She is often associated with the sea and worshipped by people associated with the sea, such as seafarers and fisherfolk.
To include Mazu into the Buddhist pantheon, legends have it that Mazu’s parents prayed to Guan Yin for a son but got a daughter instead. It was then believed that Mazu was a reincarnation of Guan Yin. Mazu was especially devoted to Guan Yin as a child, thus she is accepted by both Taoists and Buddhists.
Scuttled statue
There was a bid to build the world’s tallest Mazu statue in Kudat but the project was scuttled over some protests and the political storm over this issue has yet to settle. In the 20-point agreement leading to the formation of Malaysia, there is no state religion for Sabah and Sarawak. There should be no reason why the project should be stopped. If anything, it would probably add another must-see landmark for tourists the world over.
But, we digress. Coming back to the Thean Hou temple, there are no issues with its location or landform as all places of worship are not affected by earth energies. God, in all his forms and guises, makes the law and does not need to conform to its rules.
Thus, places of worship can be built anywhere. In fact, mountain or hilltops are the most ideal as these sites are generally not suitable for anything else. Earth energy flow from the top of the mountain down to the valleys until it reaches rivers or seas. Anything built on top would be drained of energy.
Interestingly, gambling establishments may yet do well as such activities do not wish to retain pools of harmonious energy. Otherwise, its patrons may strike it rich at their expense!
Right next door to the Thean Hou Temple is Robson Heights. This condominium shares the same hilltop and a commanding view of -- the Chinese cemetery. As we said previously, there is nothing wrong living next to a cemetery. It is a tranquil place, and the Environology is generally good.
It is also not immediately next door to it. There is a forest reserve in between. The bigger concern is the orientation. The building itself should face downhill so that it is shielded from fast-moving energy flowing from the top. Unless we are mistaken, Robson Heights opens in a courtyard, which makes the entrance face downhill. This would be good.
Temple effect
Another concern is the proximity of the temple. Places of worship normally generate a lot of human energy (“chi”). The constant movement also draws energy away from the surroundings into the temples. This is why houses should not be located too close to temples, mosques or churches. It has nothing to do with noise or scents of burning incenses.
Living too close to places of worship has another drawback: the traffic would be horrendous during festivals. If anyone has tried driving near a mosque on Fridays, a church on Sundays, a Chinese temple on the first and fifteenth days of the lunar calendar, or Hindu temple on any festival, they would know what we mean!
We are sad to note the situation in Shah Alam with the 150-year-old Sri Maha Mariamman Hindu temple. It had been there from way back when there was nothing but rubber trees. It was the housing development that encroached on its space.
First, the developers should know better than to build houses so close to the temple. Second, the people who bought houses there should know better. It is not like they did not know there will be worshippers there performing their rites. Why move in and then complain about traffic, noise and smells?
It is like having your children move back in from abroad and demanding that you find a new place to live in because they cannot tolerate your habits!
Pay-per-access road
Again, we digress. From Thean Hou temple, there is actually another road that leads back to the main road. However, access to Jalan Permai is restricted because it goes through an open space car park. We are unsure about the legality of such an enterprise but the attendants would be keen to charge a fee for access!
Back down along Persiaran Endah, we can find Impian Diatas condo. This is a very, very nice modern condominium. Certainly a posh and exclusive abode nestled among the greenery. However, the long-term prosperity of the inhabitants depend on the orientation of the property vis-à-vis the landform.
Some units here have a downhill orientation – the main entrance faces downhill. These are relatively better than units with doors facing uphill. Therefore, some will do well and some are not likely to. Even for those that face downhill, the location of the entrance should be suited to the main occupant’s Gua number, derived from his year of birth.
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Prof David Koh .
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Based on a person’s Gua, there are four ideal sectors and four bad sectors within an enclosed space, such a house or room. As we move in and out of a house or room, we induce energy into the space. Therefore, if the main entrance is in a good sector, it will enhance the harmony, health, prosperity and advancement of the occupants. If the entrance is in a “bad” sector, it could have a negative effect on the occupants, and not even a downhill facing house will help.
* Prof David Koh will speak on Outlook for 2010 at 4pm today at The Star Property Fair 2009 being held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. He will also offer tips on How to Choose a Good Property from a Feng Shui Perspective on Nov 29 at 2pm at the same venue. The lectures are free of charge.
Click here for more details on The Star's Stylish Living Property Fair
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