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Cebu Taoist Temple

Cebu Taoist Temple
宿霧定光寶殿
Religion
AffiliationTaoism
Location
LocationCebu City
CountryPhilippines
Cebu Taoist Temple is located in Metro Cebu
Cebu Taoist Temple
Location in Metro Cebu
Cebu Taoist Temple is located in Cebu, Philippines
Cebu Taoist Temple
Location in Cebu
Cebu Taoist Temple is located in Visayas
Cebu Taoist Temple
Location in the Visayas
Cebu Taoist Temple is located in Philippines
Cebu Taoist Temple
Location in the Philippines
Geographic coordinates10°20′02″N 123°53′16″E / 10.3338°N 123.8877°E / 10.3338; 123.8877
Architecture
TypeTemple complex
StyleChinese
Completed1972
Elevation110 m (361 ft)

Cebu Taoist Temple (simplified Chinese: 宿雾定光宝殿; traditional Chinese: 宿霧定光寶殿; pinyin: Sùwù Dìngguāng Bǎodiàn; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Siok-bū Tēng-kng Pó-tiān) is a Taoist temple located in Beverly Hills Subdivision of Cebu City, Philippines.[1]

History

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The temple was built by Cebu's substantial Chinese Filipino community in 1972.[2][3] At an elevation of 110 metres (360 ft) above sea level, the temple is a towering, multi-tiered, multi-hued attraction accessible by three separate winding routes.

Unlike the neighboring Phu Sian Temple,[4] the Taoist temple is open to worshipers and non-worshipers alike. A ritual among devotees is where one prays to the gods to grant one's wish. The ritual includes washing hands, going inside the chapel barefoot and dropping two blocks of wood. If the wood blocks are both face up then one could make a wish.[5] If not then it is not yet the time for one's wish to be granted and one has to come to the temple some other time.

The temple is the center of worship for Taoism, the religion which follows the teachings of the ancient Chinese philosopher, Lao Zi. Another ritual among Taoist devotees, which is done during Wednesdays and Sundays,[6] is the climbing of its 81 steps (representing the 81 chapters of Taoism scriptures) to light joss sticks and have their fortune read by the monks.


The entrance to the temple was a replica of the Great Wall of China. The temple includes a chapel, a library, a souvenir shop, and a wishing well. The spacious balconies offer a scenic view of the downtown Cebu.

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References

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  1. ^ "Taoist Temple". Guide to the Philippines. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
  2. ^ Mawis, Arch Vittoria Lou (February 10, 2018). "The house that Tsinoys built". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved July 9, 2021.
  3. ^ "Taoist Temple, Cebu City". Cebu. Fabulous Philippines. 2005. Retrieved April 15, 2008.
  4. ^ "Phu-Sian Temple". Travel and Tours. just.click.it ncebu. Archived from the original on January 6, 2009. Retrieved April 15, 2008.
  5. ^ "Cebu Taoist Temple". Suroy.ph. February 25, 2022. Retrieved February 13, 2023.
  6. ^ "Taoist Temple". Attractions. Cebu - Philippines. Retrieved April 15, 2008.
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