The Buddhist temple of Kek
Lok Si is situated in (H)Air Itam, a suburb of Georgetown. You can make
that by local bus from the Komtar, but you can also make it by taxi. I
prefer taxi, because the taxi takes me up the hill (the Kek Lok Si
is halfway on a hill). I like to walk down, but not to walk up the hill in
a tropical climate.
Taxi ride from the KOmtar in Georgetown will cost you about RM20.-
The temple was begun in 1890 and, from all appearances, construction
really hasn't ever stopped. And it's still going on! The temple is supposedly
the largest in Malaysia.
The Kek Lok Si project was inspired by the chief monk of the Goddess of Mercy
Temple of Pitt Street. With the support of the consular representative of China
in Penang, the project received the sanction of the Manchu Emperor Kuang Hsi,
who bestowed a tablet and gift of 70,000 volumes of the Imperial Edition of the
Buddhist Sutras.
Without doubt the largest and best
known temple in Penang, the Temple of Supreme Bliss, better known as
Kek Lok Si, staggered on the hillside overlooking the town of Ayer
Itam.
Since the olden days, the hills of Ayer Itam are regarded as important
geomantically. Known as He San, or Crane Hill, they are
recommended as a retreat for Taoist practitioners striving for
immortality.
Construction of the temple started in 1893, but it was only in 1930
that the Pagoda of Rama VI, named after the Thai king who laid the
foundation stone, but better known as the Pagoda of 10,000 Buddha's,
was completed.
This pagoda combines a Chinese octagonal base with a middle tier of
Thai design, and a Burmese crown, reflecting the temple's embrace of
both Mahayana and Theravada Buddhism.
Talrijke Boeddha's met een svastika
To the Kuan Yin Statue
or to the pagoda.
The latest addition to the temple
complex is the 30.2m bronze statue of the Avalokitesvara - Goddess of
Mercy or Kuan Yin - on the hillside above the pagoda.
This statue was completed and open to the public at the end of 2002.
If you want to get a close-up look of the Kuan Yin statue, then go
left as you get to the furthest hall, which is also the largest and
look for the signs for the 'incline lift' to the goddess.
The incline lift is more of a tram --
an elevator-sized glass box mounted on rails which goes up to the
terrace above the existing temple where the goddess stands.
Use of the lift costs RM 2 each way.
"The Buddha in the Main Prayer Hall".
If you have done some charity, then you may ring the bell.
Outside the "Main Prayer Hall".
At the right: the entrance to the pagoda
The route up to the 'main' prayer hall of the Kek
Lok Si and the pagoda is on the other side of the large prayer hall. From
the 'incline lift' you need to cross the hall and go through the souvenir
stands to find the desk where you must pay a 'voluntary' donation of
another RM 2 to go up to the new prayer hall and the pagoda. Don't worry:
you'll receive a ticket!
If you haven't visited the "Goddess of Mercy", then this
is the moment to do it now!
.
The Kek Lok Si project was mooted by the chief monk of the Goddess of
Mercy Temple of Pitt Street. With the support of the consular
representative of China in Penang, the project received the sanction of
the Manchu Emperor Kuang Hsi, who bestowed a tablet and gift of 70,000
volumes of the Imperial Edition of the Buddhist Sutras.
Construction of the temple started in 1893, but it was only in 1930 that
the Pagoda of Rama VI, named after the Thai king who laid the foundation
stone, but better known as the Pagoda of 10,000 Buddhas, was completed.
This pagoda combines a Chinese octagonal base with a middle tier of Thai
design, and a Burmese crown, reflecting the temple's embrace of both
Mahayana and Theravada Buddhism
Reputedly the largest Buddhist temple in Southeast Asia, situated close to
the bustling Air Hitam market. The temple's enclave including a pagoda and
a huge statue of the Goddess Kuan Yin is prominent. Besides the monastery,
a seven-storey pagoda of 10,000 Buddha images displays the essence of an
eclectic mix of Chinese, Thai and Burmese architecture. The main hall has
colourful souvenir shops. A shrine filled with statues and a courtyard
where a large pond full of carp and the tortoises are main attractions.
Here a pathway that leads to a stairway will take you to the Pagoda.
