History:

Aam Yog Ke Keng (Sam Kong Nai Shrine) is a shrine that enshrines the base of the Lord Jo Su Gong or Cheng Chui Jo Su or “Aam Sam Kong Nai”. This shrine is over a hundred years old. Originally, this shrine was just a small shrine. Later, with the power of faith, it was expanded and extended until it is today.

Biography of Phra Cheng Jui Jo Su Gong:

Cheng Jui Jo Su Gong was originally named Phu Chwee (Tan Pho Cheow). He belonged to the Chén family and was a member of their family. He was born beneath Ku San Mountain, Siao Ko Village, Yongchun Sub-district, Yongchun District, Quanzhou City, Fujian Province, on the sixth day of the first month of the Chinese calendar. However, there are different opinions about the year of his birth: 1554-1587 B.E. and 1590 B.E. However, this article uses 1587 B.E. as the main year (according to Mr. Ji Yuan, a researcher at Chengchi National University, Taipei, Taiwan, who cited an article by Lin Xi Sui from the appendix of the Journal of Longevity, published in Taipei by the Taipei Anxi Association in 1967). It corresponds to the reign of Emperor Song Renzong (Zhao Zhen), who used the reign year of Qingli, the 7th year of the Northern Song Dynasty, and reigned from 1566 to 1606 B.E. The capital city was Kaifeng. The names of his parents are not mentioned.

According to legend, Mr. Phu Chwee helped his parents raise goats on the slopes of Ku San Mountain. However, one thing that set him apart from the general Han Chinese population was that he had dark skin, a black face, and a prominent and hooked nose, which may have been inherited from the South Indian Tamils who traveled to trade with the Arabs who stopped at the port of Quanzhou. Another possibility is that the original inhabitants of this area, before the Han Chinese migrated there, were indigenous people who are said to have migrated from Southeast Asia. Mr. Phu Chwee was intelligent from a young age and had a habit of studying both martial arts and literature, like most teenagers. However, what set him apart from other children was that he enjoyed studying the teachings of Buddhism from a young age. He studied deeply and became an expert. As someone who lived on the slopes of a mountain with various plants, he also studied herbal medicine and became skilled at using it to treat patients, becoming the local doctor.

Eventually, he became a monk in the Mahayana sect of Buddhism. It is unknown which temple he was ordained at, but later he came to live at the Penglai Village Temple in Anxi County, Quanzhou Prefecture. It is probable that he was given the Dharma name Heshang, which translates to “one with a compassionate heart.” He taught the Dharma to both Penglai Village and the neighboring townships. He also helped the poor and needy with food, clothing, and money. With his extensive knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine, Reverend Jo Su Gong (Zhou Sugong) was able to assist in the treatment of the sick in the village. In addition to these activities, he also contributed to the development of the village by allocating funds towards the construction of bridges, roads, and buildings for the purpose of rain-making ceremonies. However, his studies of the Dharma also advanced well, and he became known for his high level of spiritual attainment. He was known as ‘Cheng Jui Jo Su’ (Chengzhui Zhousi or Qingshui Xushi), which means “a monk who has attained the highest level of enlightenment, comparable to an arhat”.

In Penglai Township, there is a cliff between Penglai Mountain and Lingxiu Mountain. This cliff was originally called Zhangyan Cliff by the villagers, but was later changed to Qingshui Cliff or Chengzhui Cliff in honor of Reverend Chengzhui Zhousi. In 1583 B.E., during the reign of Emperor Song Shenzong (Zhao Xu) of the Northern Song Dynasty, when the year of the reign of Yuanfeng was 6, the construction of a temple on Chengzhui Cliff began, and it was named Chengzhui Zhousi Temple or Qingshui Yan or Penglai Temple. At that time, Reverend Chengzhui Zhousi was 39 years old. The temple buildings must have been developed and expanded over time.

Reverend Cheng Jui Jo Su (Chengzhui Zhousi) practiced Dharma and served the community until he was 65 years old. He passed away in 1609 B.E., during the reign of Emperor Hui Zong.

Source: https://news.phuketindex.com/