Man Mo Temple

Re Carroll
Re Carroll
First Reviewer
4 out of 5
Avg. Member Rating
5
Reviews
15
Photos

Man Mo Temple

  • May 7, 2008
  • Rated 4 of 5 by titaniumcop from clarksville, Tennessee
Man Mo Temple

The temple is devoted to MAN, the god of literature and civil servants, and MO, god of war, whose statues flank the altar. Built in the 1800s, at the beginning of the British colonial rule. A copper bell in the temple, made during the reign of Emperor Daoguang (1820-1850), proudly proclaims the temple's long history. Inside is a strong smell of giant coils of burning incense. Kinda makes the air blue inside and together with the sunbeams, adds an element of mystery to the temple and indicates happiness, health and fortune. While worshippers light more bundles of incense sticks and place them in bronze urns to bring good fortune.

The temple is a perfect combination of Taoism and Buddhism. Two deities are worshiped side by side in the temple shrine. They are Wenchang and Guan Yu. Wenchang, with a brush in his hand, takes charge of literature, especially during the imperial examinations, which determined a man's official rank in feudal times. Guan Yu, holding a sword in his hand, is in charge of war. There are statues of other Chinese gods as well, like Baogong, the symbol of justice and the town god who protects the whole city.

From journal The Busiest Place on Earth

Temple Visit

  • November 9, 2005
  • Rated 2 of 5 by writeonthespot from Bacolod, Philippines
Temple Visit

For us it's not really a package tour. It's more of an adventure. We did the tour by ourselves, relied on our traveller's guide book, and looked for the places on our own. Finally, after several blocks and streets, we found Man Mo Temple. It's not the usual temple I was expecting during my visit to Bangkok, but this one reveals another side of Buddhism and how I get to respect them and their faith.

From journal Hong Kong Halloween

Editor Pick

Man Mo Temple

  • February 25, 2004
  • Rated 4 of 5 by Mr. Wonka from Brooklyn, New York
Man Mo Temple

Though the building itself is an afterthought in the grand scheme of the downtown Hong Kong layout, Man Mo Temple is hardly forgotten by the religious people of this vibrant city. Built in the 27th Year of Emperor Daoguang, Qing Dynasty, around 1847 AD, Man Mo is a smoky, colorful, crowded place of worship that was like nothing I’ve ever seen before. About the most bizarre religious ceremony I’d seen so far is a Catholic baptismal.

The temple is dedicated to two gods: Mo, the god of war, and Man, the god of literature and civil servants. This struck me as a rather odd coupling of gods, but if Rob Base says it takes two to make a thing go right, and that it takes two to make it outta sight, well, then I suppose they were paired for a good reason.

Walking thru the front doors of the temple is a somewhat disorienting, confusing experience. As you try to pause and take a look at the large paper-burning oven outside, you’ll realize that the traffic coming in and out is too heavy for lollygagging in the doorway, so it’s either in or out. Once you do step in, the thick, stagnant smoke from burning paper and incense offered as alms make it bit difficult to breath. People are individually worshipping in all corners of the temple—some are rapidly bowing and nodding their head, while others were genuflecting and slowly praying. There is no dress code here, either. People are free to wander in from the street in whatever they’re wearing.

The statues of Man and Mo are near the back of the temple, and incense and paper to burn can be had inside the temple if you’re interested. Many people were sporting surgical masks over their mouths because of all the smoke, but even with one on, I have no idea how the people working inside can stand, much less survive, all that prolonged exposure.

From journal Hong Kong Rocks!

Editor Pick

Man Mo Temple

  • December 4, 2001
  • Rated 4 of 5 by Leesa from Brighton, United Kingdom
Man Mo Temple

One of the overriding memories of Hong Kong for me is the antique smoky red temples tucked around the base of the city's glistening skyscrapers.

One of my favourite temples, possibly because it was the first we saw, was Man Mo Temple. Despite apparently being a top tourist attraction, we found it all but deserted by tourists when we visited, allowing us to take in the atmosphere and unobtrusively watch daily worship.

A small, ornately bat-winged building guarded by cauldrons and dog/lions, inside it seemed even smaller with a maze of shrines, burning incense. A deep red, made darker with years of incense burning, small windows, and jam-packed with religious imagery. Spiral incense sticks, like giant mosquito coils, seem to be a feature of this and all Cantonese temples. With so many burning, hanging from the ceiling, the building seemed like a smokehouse, with traces lingering in our clothing for hours later.

From journal Hong Kong

Editor Pick

Man Mo Temple

  • October 20, 2000
  • Rated 4 of 5 by Re Carroll from Abbotsford, British Columbia
Man Mo Temple

Located at the corner of Hollywood Rd. and Ladder St., this Taoist Temple is one of Hong Kong's oldest. It is dedicated to Man (the god of literature) and Mo (the god of war)- quite a combination! The inside is filled with burning incense - both in burners throughout and large coils that hang from the ceiling. There is a drum and large bell that is sounded when a prayer is about to be offered. There are containers that hold lots of numbered fortune sticks. You shake the container until "your" fortune stick falls out. The prophesy is written in Chinese but you can buy a book at the Temple that has the English translation. The Temple is located in a busy area and is surrounded by shops. On the way back to the ferry terminal, you will pass a street market that sells all kinds of clothing and household items and you can get some good buys.

From journal Hong Kong Highlights

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