Taoist Temple

Infobox Historic building
name = Cebu Taoist Temple

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caption = View atop the Taoist Temple
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location = Lahug
location_town = Cebu City
location_country = Philippines
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completion_date = 1972
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structural_system = Temple
style = Chinese architecture
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Built in 1972, the temple is located in Beverly Hills Subdivision [http://www.cebucentral.com/attractions/Taoist_Temple.html Cebu Central] ] in Cebu City with . The temple was built by Cebu's substantial [http://www.fabulousphilippines.com/taoist-temple-cebu.html Fabulous Philippines] ] Chinese community. With an elevation of 300 meters above sea level [http://www.cebu-philippines.net/taoist-temple.html Cebu - Philippines] ] , the temple is a towering, multi-tiered, multi-hued attraction accessible by three separate winding routes [http://www.malapascua.de/Cebu/Cebu_4__Taoist_Temple/cebu_4__taoist_temple.html Malapascua] ] .

Unlike the neighboring Phu Sian Temple [http://www.ncebu.com/images/phu-sian-temple.html The Best of Cebu - Paradise in the Philippines] ] , the Taoist temple is open to the 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 of hands, going inside the chapel barefoot and dropping two blocks of wood. If the blocks of wood are both face up then one could make a wish. 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 Tze. Another ritual among Taoist devotees, which is done during Wednesdays and Sundays [http://www.cebu-philippines.net/taoist-temple.html Cebu - Philippines] ] , is the climbing of its 81 steps [http://www.cebucentral.com/attractions/Taoist_Temple.html Cebu Central] ] (representing the 81 chapters of Taoism scriptures) to light joss sticks and have their fortune read [http://www.cebucruising.com/cebu-city-tours.html Cebu Cruising] ] .by the monks. Some guide books and travel agencies [http://www.wayblima.com/cebu-activities-sightseeing.html Way Blima!] ] offer trips to the temple or as a side-trip in a tour around Cebu City. But it is more popular with grade school students. No student who grew up in Cebu City or the neighboring Mandaue City has not gone to the temple in any one of their field trips.

There is nothing much to do in the temple. One could enjoy moving around the temple in an hour. The entrance to the temple is a replica of the Great Wall of China [http://www.malapascua.de/Cebu/Cebu_4__Taoist_Temple/cebu_4__taoist_temple.html Malapascua] ] . The temple includes a chapel, a library, a souvenir shop and a wishing well. The spacious balconies [http://www.malapascua.de/Cebu/Cebu_4__Taoist_Temple/cebu_4__taoist_temple.html Malapascua] ] offer a scenic view of the downtown Cebu [ [http://www.ncebu.com/node/59 Paradise Philippines, Taoist Temple, Cebu | Paradise Philippines ] ] . Also noteworthy is the giant dragon statue [http://www.malapascua.de/Cebu/Cebu_4__Taoist_Temple/cebu_4__taoist_temple.html Malapascua] ] .

References

External links

* [http://cebu.gov.ph/ Cebu City Government Website ]
* [http://www.pinoyislands.com/taoist-temple-cebu/ Taoist Temple mini gallery]