Bendigo Joss House Temple
Date Published
: Temples / Joss House, religion / Buddhism/ Taoism
: Central Goldfields (Vic)
: Bendigo
: 1871 to 2025
A restored temple building now run by the local government.
"The Bendigo Joss House Temple, a Chinese place of prayer, was opened in 1871. Standing for over a century, the Bendigo Joss House Temple is one of the few remaining buildings of its type in Australia.
Constructed with locally handmade bricks and painted red, symbolising the traditional Chinese colour denoting strength and vitality, the Bendigo Joss House Temple provides a glimpse into Chinese culture and tradition.
The Main Temple is dedicated to Guan-Di (Kwan Gong), a Han Dynasty general who brought peace and justice to China after the dynasty collapsed. He was subsequently deified as the State God of War, but universally viewed “as a wise judge, guide, protector and bringer of wealth and prosperity”.
The temple was one of seven Chinese temples built around this area to serve the large Chinese population on the goldfield. This particular temple was part of a large Chinese camp known as the Ironbark Camp, established in 1855. It continued to be used as a temple and meeting place until the 1930s.
The temple fell into disrepair after being abandoned by the declining Chinese mining population. The Commonwealth acquired the wider site in 1941, clearing the old camp site but sparing the temple when Sir John Jensen, Assistant Secretary for the Department of Supply, refused permission for its demolition.
The National Trust of Australia (Victoria) obtained permissive occupancy of the temple in 1965, and after restoration it was opened to the public in 1972.
https://www.bendigojosshouse.com/history
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/46241991
Bendigo Joss House Temple
