RELIGION AND CUSTOM
established inside multi-storey buildings to cater for the spiritual needs of smaller circles of city dwellers.
All Chinese temples are required to be registered under the Chinese Temples Ordinance. The Chinese Temples Committee manages some 40 public temples and the income, from donations by worshippers, is used for preservation and restoration not only of public temples but also privately-owned temples of historical value. Any surplus is also put towards a charity fund which over the years has been contributing to general charities such as scholarships for needy university students and subsidies to local welfare organisations. Most of the large temples and monasteries are open to the public.
Each temple is dedicated to one or two deities enshrined in the main hall, with side halls housing subsidiary deities. Since Buddhism and Taoism are both accepted as traditional Chinese religions, Buddhist and Taoist deities are often honoured together within one temple. Leading deities include Buddha, Kwun Yum (the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy), and Lui Cho (a Taoist god).
There is also a diversity of deified mortals traditionally worshipped as a result of their performance of actual or mythical feats. Foremost among these is Tin Hau, the Queen of Heaven and Protectress of Seafarers, worshipped originally by the fishing population but now by others in the community as well, reflecting Hong Kong's dependence on fishing and on sea trade. There are at least 24 Tin Hau Temples in Hong Kong, the most famous being in Joss House Bay, which is visited by tens of thousands of worshippers each year at Tin Hau Festival on the 23rd day of the third moon.
-
Other deified mortals include Kwan Tai, the god of war and righteousness; Pak Tai, lord of the north and patron of Cheung Chau Island; Hung Shing, god of the south seas and a weather prophet; and Wong Tai Sin, a Taoist deity, in whose honour a temple built 71 years ago in north-eastern Kowloon in traditional Chinese architectural style enjoys great popularity. Dedicated to the gods of literary attainment and martial valour, Man Mo Temple in Hollywood Road on Hong Kong Island, run by the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals, a charitable organisation, is also very popular. The Che Kung Temple at Sha Tin in the New Territories, dedicated to a general in the Sung Dynasty, is visited by tens of thousands of worshippers during Lunar New Year.
Protestant Community
The presence of the Protestant community dates back to 1841. In the 150 years since the first Protestant church came into being, the community has grown to 258.000 in 872 congregations that comprise 52 denominations and independent churches. The Baptists form the largest denomination followed by the Lutherans. Other major denominations are Adventists, Anglicans, Christian and Missionary Alliance, Church of Christ in China (representing the Presbyterian and Congregational traditions), Methodists and Pente- costals. With their emphasis on youth work, many congregations have a high proportion of young people. Since the 1970s, the number of independent churches has increased significantly due to the strong evangelical zeal of lay Christians.
J
The Protestant churches are also deeply involved in education, health care and social welfare. Protestant organisations operate three post-secondary colleges Chung Chi College at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Baptist College and Lingnan College. They run 122 secondary schools, 141 primary schools and 146 kindergartens.
309