William Tsang is thrilled the Heavenly Queen Temple has officially opened. 75815 Picture: DAMJAN JANEVSKI
By Charlene Gatt
THE Heavenly Queen Temple is open to the public.
After nearly 10 years and $3.5 million, worshippers and passers-by can finally walk through the temple, which is the biggest temple dedicated to the Heavenly Queen in Australia.
The temple is complemented by a 16-metre high gold statue of the Heavenly Queen.
The Heavenly Queen, also known as Ma Zhu, was born in Meizhou Island in Fujian Province during the Sung Dynasty in China.
At her early age, she demonstrated great intelligence with photographic memory, healing the sick and helping the poor people.
She also acquired the ability to predict weather, saving many fishermen’s lives at sea.
Heavenly Queen Society president William Tsang was thrilled to finally open up the temple, which was built in a traditional architectural style.
“We want to share this important Chinese heritage and culture with all our fellow Australians,” Mr Tsang said.
“The Heavenly Queen was also known as the Goddess of the Sea, and that’s why it’s a perfect location, near the (Maribyrnong) River, near the water.”
The temple is part of a Buddhist complex that will soon include a Chinese garden, drum tower, bell tower, lake pavilion, jetty and left and right wing buildings.
“(We want) the main Heavenly Queen temple surrounded by all these buildings,” Mr Tsang said.
The 16-metre gold tribute to the Heavenly Queen has attracted lots of attention over the years, with a Facebook Group called “Giant Gold Statue of Buddha in Footscray Appreciation Group” set up to find out why the giant gold statue was there.
