点评:This temple was founded by Tan Hiok Nee, a wealthy and influential Teochew businessman in Singapore and Johor during the 19th century. Jalan Tan Hiok Nee which was a road located within walking distance from the temple was named after him.
The temple is one of the oldest structure in Johor Bahru and become a unifying symbol among the 5 Chinese ethnic groups, namely, the Hokkein, the Cantonese, the Teochew, Hakka and Hainanese. The 5 deities in the temple are representative of each of the 5 ethnic groups:
Yuan Tian Shang Di (元天上帝) (大老爷)
Hong Xian Da Di (洪仙大帝) (洪仙公)
Gan Tian Da Di (感天大帝)
Hua Guang Da Di (华光大帝)
Zhao Da Yuan Shuai (赵大元帅)
Tan Hiok Nee was able to command the respect of the other ethnic groups because he was able to gain the favor of the Johor Sultan who appointed him as Major China of Johor, the highest ranking Chinese official in his government.
Unlike the Portuguese, the Dutch and the British who came to colonalise Malaya, the Chinese like Hiok Nee amassed wealth through sheer diligence and entrepreurship and had no political ambition. They chose to live harmoniously with the local Malay rulers and help to create a peaceful and conducive business environment by unifying the Chinese ethnic groups .
The prosperity of today Johor Bahru is due to the solid foundation laid down by these pioneers and the harmonious relationship enjoy by all the races. The Temple continues to be a living symbol of the mission of the Chinese entrepreneurs in Johor Bahru.
翻译:这座寺庙是由 19 世纪新加坡和柔佛州一位富有且有影响力的潮州商人陈旭年 (Tan Hiok Nee) 创建的。陈旭年路 (Jalan Tan Hiok Nee) 是一条距离寺庙仅几步之遥的道路,以他的名字命名。
该寺庙是新山最古老的建筑之一,成为福建、广东、潮州、客家和海南 5 个华人民族的统一象征。寺庙里的 5 位神灵分别代表 5 个民族:
大老爷 (Yuan Tian Shang Di)
洪仙大帝 (洪仙公)
感天大帝
华光大帝
赵大元帅
陈旭年之所以能够赢得其他族群的尊重,是因为他能够得到柔佛苏丹的青睐,任命他为柔佛州的主要华人,成为政府中级别最高的华人官员。
与殖民马来亚的葡萄牙人、荷兰人和英国人不同,像许尼这样的华人通过勤奋和创业积累了财富,没有政治野心。他们选择与当地马来统治者和睦相处,并通过团结华人族群来帮助创造一个和平、有利的商业环境。
新山今天的繁荣,有赖于这些先驱者打下的坚实基础,以及各族之间的和谐关系。寺庙仍然是新山华人企业家使命的活生生的象征。