Penang | Kek Lok Si Temple
12:47 AM
I was very excited when we were driving our way up to Kek Lok Si Temple. It was my first time going to Kek Lok Si Temple. I've seen it in the textbooks, I've heard of it from my friends and relatives, but I haven't been there. So this time, I decided to visit the temple no matter how hot the sun is or how many stairs I have to climb just to get into the temple.
(All sources: Wikipedia)
Mahayana Buddhism and traditional Chinese rituals blend into a harmonious both in the temple architecture and artwork as well as in the daily activities of the worshipers.
Kek Lok Si
Kek Lok Si Temple, also known as the "Temple of Sukhavati" is one of the best known temples on the Penang Island and the largest Buddhist Temple in South East Asia. The temple is situated in Air Itam, which is somewhere near to the Penang Hill. Of course, when I said it is very near to Penang Hill, it doesn't mean you are able to walk all the way from Penang Hill to Kek Lok Si Temple. It is advisable for Malaysians to drive there as it only takes 5-15 minutes to reach there. However, I saw some of the tourists walk to Kek Lok Si temple.
A bale of turtles, starving.
There will be stairways leading to the temple. Along the stairways, there are shops selling souvenirs, shirts, toys etc. Finally, we arrived at the Liberation Pond. Why call it the Liberation Pond? I was told that it actually follows the Buddhist tradition of merit-making where the turtles will be released into freedom, just like the monks release the pigeons. Aedan told me some turtles are big due to the reason that they had been staying in the pond for quite a long time.
I saw many people feeding the turtles, and it was fun watching the turtles swimming here and there when they are being fed. We have to pay RM1 in order to feed the turtles, and we will be given a packet of turtle food.
The main pagoda of the temple.
Also known as the Pagoda of 10,00 Buddhas. It combines the Chinese and the Thai designs with a Burmese crown, reflecting both Mahayana and Theravada Buddhism.
Jia Lan Dian
also known as
Sangharama Hall.
Sangharama Hall is a Buddhist temple.I saw many visitors went in and prayed, including some of the international tourists. The statue inside the temple is known as the God of Jia Lan , which also means the patron saint of the land who guards and protects the land and the people.
Generous donations from the Chinese community, and their names will be carve on it.
All the generous donations from the affluent Chinese community allow the construction of additional buildings, such as the new Kuan Yin statue, classrooms etc . This is why Penang Island is a land full of prosperity.
Statues of Buddha
However, these bamboo decorations remind me of the movie
I watched yesterday, "House of the flying daggers".
Several large halls for assembly and prayers.
Various Bodhisattvas and Chinese God are being venerated.
Exquisite designs, be it the wall or the ceiling.
The walls, building, and ceilings are all covered with details and it was amazing.
Intricate woodwork, brightly painted .
Imagine painting the patterns, those little little patterns. I guess, in order to paint and build
the temples, he must have high patience level.
Kuan Yin Statue.
The carvings on the pillars are superb insane too!
I was totally amazed by it.
A bronze statue of Kuan Yin was completed in 2002. It replaced the previous white plaster statue of the Kuan Yin which was damaged during a fire accident few years earlier. However, the head of the previous statue is well preserved and placed near the bronze statue. A shelter (or people call it the Pavilion) for the Kuan Yin statue was constructed.
I've seen this 2 thing in a movie called, "Na Za".
I think they are use to catch evil spirits or demons.
People write their names, wishes or prayers on it, and the candle inside will keep burning.
Oh wait, I think I know the reasons why they use something that looks like a pineapple.
The Chinese will know the reasons.
:)
A small pavilion was built on the pond, filled with Koi fish.
The year of Monkey.
YES! It's the 12 Chinese Zodiac statues.
You can actually donate your money to each different zodiac.
*the rest of the pictures are my facebook album.
An inclined lift to carry the pilgrims and visitors uphill.
Some of the buildings are classrooms. Yes, they have classrooms for students. The temple offers calligraphy lessons, Martial art lessons, Chinese cultural dance lessons etc.
Saw this when we were going down.
It means good fortune, prosperity and longevity.
Indeed, Komtar is a very old building. It has been there since 1974.
Before we drive our way to Komtar, we actually dropped by one of the historical site after Kek Lok Si Temple.
Next post soon!
*Information
Kek Lok Si Temple
No.1, Tokong Kek Lok Si,
11500, Georgetown
Pulau Pinang.
KOMTAR
10000, Jalan Penang,
Georgetown, Penang,
Malaysia.
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