Ma-Cho Temple

Mazu or Matsu ({{zh|t=|s=|p=Māzǔ|poj=Má-chó͘|c=媽祖|first=poj}}) is the deified form of the medieval Fujian Saintly Lady, Lin Moniang ({{zh|t=|s=|p=Lín Mòniáng|poj=Lîm Bia̍k-niû|c=林默娘|first=poj}}). Mazuism is not formally recognized as an organised religion in Mainland China or Taiwan, but is an important part of Chinese folk religion in Fujian, Taiwan and Oversea Chinese communities worldwide.

The temple was constructed on September 11, 1975. This project was supported by then-Tourism minister Jose Aspiras with the cooperation of the Chinese community.{{cite web |last1=Rudio |first1=Israel |title=Ma-Cho Temple |url=http://launion.gov.ph/page.php?156 |website=La Union Official Provincial Website |publisher=Provincial Information and Tourism Office - La Union |accessdate=20 January 2020}}

With an elevation of 70 above sea level, the 7-story temple is a towering 11-tiered, multi-hued attraction on a more than a hectare of lot and accessible by separate routes. The temple's attractions include the Majestic Five Door Gate, Bamboo Garden, the Liang Thing Pagoda, 2 circular pools or ponds and the golden emblem of a dragon, the Bell Tower and the Drum Tower.{{Cite web|url=http://www.ironwulf.net/2010/10/25/la-union-macho-temple/|title=La Union: The Taoist Macho Temple and the Caysasay Connection|date=25 October 2010}} The interiors of Ma-Cho Temple is filled with Chinese ancient decorations or art. Taiwan laborers helped build the building under famous Architect Thomas Diokno.{{cite web |url=http://www.sanfernandocity.gov.ph/services/historical.php#ma-cho |title=The Official WebSite of San Fernando City, La Union |website=www.sanfernandocity.gov.ph |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080414210053/http://www.sanfernandocity.gov.ph/services/historical.php |archive-date=2008-04-14}} The temple is adorned by Chinese motif of Taipei lions and dragons (camphor woods) and massive stones. Its original spider type dome awes the beholder with the interlinking wood carvings of saints (piling up in a total of 11 tiers). Statues of animals, the famous towering arch, and the meditation room all focus on Mazu's eyes, which are closed while her hands are clasped together at her chest.

File:Ma-Cho Temple San Fernando La Union Panorama.jpg

Unlike Cebu's Phu Sian Temple,{{Cite web |url=http://www.ncebu.com/images/phu-sian-temple.html |work=Travel and Tours |title=Phu-Sian Temple |publisher=just.click.it ncebu |accessdate=2008-04-15 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090106140050/http://www.ncebu.com/images/phu-sian-temple.html |archivedate=2009-01-06 }} Ma-Cho Temple is open to the worshipers and non-worshipers alike, particularly Catholics. Mazu's 8-inch icon is at the center of the Temple's main altar. The icon has a Catholic counterpart, Our Lady of Caysasay, in St Martin's Basilica in Taal, Batangas. Yearly, 5th day of the 8th month of the Linar Calendar, from September 21–26, Mazu's image would be processioned to the Basilica of St. Martin in Taal, Batangas and back to San Fernando, La Union, for the fiesta, culminating in a cultural presentation. A ritual among devotees is where one prays to the gods to grant one's wish. Weekly, a “Buyong” session is held as temple priests read Mazu's message to the devotees.

The temple is not exclusively dedicated only to Mazu, Tho Ti Kong ({{zh|t=|s=|p=Tǔdìgōng|poj=Thó͘-tī-kong|c=土地公|first=poj}}), an Earth Deity, is also venerated in the temple. A statue of Kuan Yim Ma ({{zh|t=|s=|p=Guānyīn mā|poj=Koan-im-má|c=觀音媽|first=poj}}) or Kuan Se Im ({{zh|t=|s=|p=Guānshìyīn|poj=Koan-sè-im|c=觀世音|first=poj}}), a Buddhist Goddess of Mercy, stands in the garden.{{cite web|url=http://www.launion.gov.ph/e107_files/images/tourism/macho2.html |title=Untitled Document |accessdate=2012-12-09 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130529175307/http://www.launion.gov.ph/e107_files/images/tourism/macho2.html |archivedate=2013-05-29 }} In the exterior of the temple, the “Chinese 18 Saints" (carved in stone statues) are worshipped at the entrance wall, facing the temple patio made of "tisa" or bricks in circular form. The courtyard has a pond of water lilies and gold fish.

File:MaChoTemplejf479.JPG|The main worship hall dedicated to Mazu

File:MaChoTemplejf485.JPG|Interior of the temple

File:MaChoTemplejf491.JPG|Statue of Taming Tiger Luohan

File:MaChoTemplejf496.JPG|Kuan Yim Ma or Goddess of Mercy in the garden

File:MaChoTemplejf500.JPG|Chinese 18 Luohan

• Chinese folk religion in Southeast Asia
• Cebu Taoist Temple, Beverly Hills, Cebu City
• Seng Guan Temple, Tondo, Manila
• Lon Wa Buddhist Temple, Davao City
• Qianliyan & Shunfeng'er
• List of Mazu temples around the world

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• [http://www.chinatownology.com/Mazu_Culture.html Historical and social look at Mazu culture including a full list of Mazu titles]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20020616131640/http://www.ches.org.hk/site1/report7.html Biography of Mazu and celebrations of her festival] (in Traditional Chinese)
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20120210142951/http://www.fjql.org/qszl/xsyj39.htm 妈祖信仰与海外闽南人的“神缘”]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20120729172254/http://www.culture.tw/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1919&Itemid=157 Taiwan Culture Portal: Sea Goddess Mazu is more than a guardian angel of fisherman in modern days]

Category:Buildings and structures in San Fernando, La Union

Category:Chinese-Filipino culture

Category:Taoist temples in the Philippines

Category:Mazu temples