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Cantonese Kwan Yin Temple
观音古庙

burma In 1823, the Cantonese community in Yangon built a temple and dedicated it to Guan Yin, 观音, the Goddess of Mercy and a Buddhist Bodhisattva. Since it was financed by the Cantonese community, the temple was located in the Cantonese section of Yangon Chinatown between Latha and 20th Streets.

Most of the information on the early history of this temple was lost when the temple was destroyed by a fire. The Cantonese community came together to raise funds for a reconstruction project. When the new temple was completed in 1868, a stele was commissioned to record the names of donors. Due to the fire and the reconstruction project, most of the temple’s material culture dates from this period.

The interior of the main hall is decorated with inscription boards. Most of them described the compassion of Guan Yin and one scroll board in particular called for blessings to the Cantonese community，佛佑我侨. These inscription boards were added over many years from the reign of Qing Emperor Tongzhi, 同治皇帝, to recent times. The dates carved on these boards provided many clues to understand the temple’s history.

The sculpture of Guan Yin sits at the central altar in the main hall while other popular Buddhist Bodhisattvas such as the Matirya are found in altars around the main hall.

Outside the temple, in fact just a few steps away, is a busy market place where many fruit sellers gather along the road to offer their products.

The temple becomes very busy and filled with devotees during special days related to the Guan Yin such as her birthday and commemorative days. Other high traffic occasions include major festivals such as the New Year and the Mid Autumn. The temple is also a major tourist site in Yangon and overseas visitors can be seen during both busy periods and normal days.

For almost two centuries, the Guan Yin temple remained as the focus point of the Cantonese community in Yangon and witnessed the community’s response to shifting political climates. Today, it continues to stand as a major landmark welcoming devotees and visitors.