ENG-1998 — Page 393

RELIGION AND CUSTOM

Other leading deities include Kwan Tai (God of War and the source of righteousness), Pak Tai (Supreme Emperor of the Dark Heaven and local patron of the island of Cheung Chau) and Hung Shing (God of the South Seas and a weather prophet).

The very popular Wong Tai Sin Temple in north-eastern Kowloon is dedicated to a Taoist deity and is built in traditional Chinese architectural style. Other notable temples include the Che Kung temple in Sha Tin in the New Territories, which is dedicated to a Sung Dynasty general; Man Mo Temple for the Gods of Literary Attainment and Martial Valour on Hollywood Road on Hong Kong Island; and Po Lin Monastery on Lantau Island, home to the world's largest outdoor bronze statue of Buddha, the Tian Tan Buddha.

Confucianism

Confucianism is a belief of the teachings of Confucius (Kung Fu-Tzu) who lived in ancient China from 551 to 479 B.C. His teaching was based on a set of moral code on human relations with emphasis on the importance of tradition and rites. He was one of the most important thinkers of the time whose philosophy deeply influenced the political, economic and social systems of China.

The major festival of Confucianism is the birthday of Confucius that falls on the 27th day of the eighth month of the Lunar Calendar (usually in September). Hong Kong Confucians are planning to build a Confucian Temple commemorating the 'Teacher of All Times'.

Confucians in Hong Kong have been deeply involved in education. They run a number of schools in the territory with the objective of teaching Confucian belief.

The Protestant Community

The presence of the Protestant community dates from 1841. About 300 000 Protestant Christians live in Hong Kong. The Protestant Church is made up of over 1300 congregations in more than 50 denominations with many independent churches. The Baptists form the largest denomination, followed by the Lutherans. Other major denominations are Adventist, Anglican, Christian and Missionary Alliance, Church of Christ in China (representing the Presbyterian and Congregational traditions), Methodist and Pentecostal. With their emphasis on youth work, many congregations have a high proportion of young people.

Protestant organisations operate three post-secondary colleges: Chung Chi College at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Baptist University and Lingnan College. They run 144 secondary schools, 192 primary schools and 273 kindergartens and 116 nurseries. They also operate 13 theological seminaries and Bible institutes, 16 Christian publishing houses and 57 Christian bookshops.

They run seven hospitals with 3 749 beds, 18 clinics and 59 social service organisations which provide a wide range of social services, including 227 community, family service and youth centres, 74 day care centres, 17 children's homes, 35 homes for the elderly, 106 centres for the elderly, two schools for the deaf and one for the blind, 47 training centres for the mentally handicapped and disabled. There are also 15 camp sites. Five international hotel-type guest houses are managed by the YMCA and YWCA.

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