This temple was founded since 1911 A.D. according to the sources that we can refer to. From the architectures form of Sima structures around the main shrine hall of the temple we can seen that traditionally the temple are influenced by the Theravada Buddhism. Ang Hock See temple is known as Wat Sawan Arun (Temple of Early Dawn) before the temple abandoned during the World War II. Later, the temple was represented to the Mahayanist by the landlord Upasika Tan See Siang (陳西祥) and renamed as Ang Hock See(洪福寺) Buddhist Temple.
A Buddhist delegation from Mainland China led by great master Ven. Tai Si (太虛) visited South East Asia in 1940s. Ven. Zhi Hang (慈航) is one of the members who remain in Penang later. Their main purposed of the delegation is to delivery message of against Japanese invaded in China.
Ven. Zhi Hang (慈航) was invited to take over as the Abbot of Ang Hock See temple in 1941 by the disciple Upasika Tan See Siang (陳西祥) who is the mother of Mr. Lim Yew Choon (林耀椿) the former famous merchant of the Island. The Master was the first Mahayanist Abbot in Ang Hock See (洪福寺) as we known, and Ven. Pon Tao (本道) was his assistance.
Since 1941, Ven. Zhi Hang (慈航) spends seven years in Nanyang (South East Asia), traveled between Penang; Ipoh; Kuala Lumpur; Melaka and Singapore to propagate the Dharma.
During his stay, he has helping to found many Buddhist Society; College; Schools around the region of Malaya and Singapore and also the propagation of Buddhist culture in published.
In winter 1948, Ven. Zhi Hang (慈航) was invited to Taiwan by the Abbot of Yan Kuang Monastery (圓光寺) Ven. Miew Kuo (妙果) to manage the Taiwan Buddhist College (臺灣佛學院).
Ven. Pon Tao (本道) was nominate and recommend by Ven. Zhi Hang (慈航) to take over the management of Ang Hock See (洪福寺) as a Abbot after his depart to Taiwan. In 1955, Ven. Pon Tao received the post as Abbot of Pi Lu Si (毗盧寺) in Singapore and Temple Assistance of San Bao Si (三寶寺) in Cameron Highland from the late master Ven. Sie Shan (雪山). Those temples management was helping by his disciple Ven. Yan Ming (遠明)
Ven. Pon Tao (本道) replaces the Abbot post of San Bao Si (三寶寺) when the late master Ven.Yan Pon (演本) departed two years later at Cameron Highland.
Early 1980s Ven.Boon Keng (文建) returned to Penang from Kuala Lumpur to replace the Abbot post of Poh Oo Tong (寶譽堂) temple. Ven.Yan Ming (遠明) invited him to Ang Hock See (洪福寺) in 1985 and accepted the post as Abbot until present; Since that Ven Yan Ming (遠明) was resign from Abbot and stay at San Bao Si (三寶寺) Cameron Highland.
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