| Kek Lok Si (Buddhist) Temple tips and photos posted by real travelers and Penang locals.
Ayer Itam
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Where does one being to describe this place? It's really a complex: multiple temples, building, statues, buddahs...plus, it's a hike up a hill...but you don't really know that it's such a hike, since it's relatively enclosed, with shops lining the sides.
I don't want to offend anyone with this next comment, but this complex is the Las Vegas on temples....really, there's an unreality about it, there's stuff to buy everywhere, there are ways to part you from your money buy supporting even more building of the temple....all in all, a pretty amazing place....
Once you reach the top, you're treated to great views of Penang below! Leave a Comment Directions: near Ayer Itam, close to funicular
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 by SLLiew
There are two ways going up the temple complex.
The recommended one is to walk all the way up - easy covered steps with lots of souvenir stalls on both sides. It can be hot and humid but take your time. While stopping to catch your breath with the fan blowing, you can check out what is available and the going price. Better to buy on your way down because you can compare prices and you do not have to carry it with you all the way. You will see a tortoise pond where you can buy some vegetables to feed.
The other way is to drive up and park near the vegatarian restaurant. You thus avoid walking up the series of staps and at he door step of the temple complex but miss the walking and the stalls. You can always walk down, it is easier but take care of your knees.
There are several halls with old and new Buddhas and engravings. You can go up the pagoda or take a short tram to see the both the new and old giant statues of the Goddess of Mercy (Kuan Yin).
A nice view of the valley from up there. Many locals worship and you will be surprised to fund collection to expand the temple complex. Money and religion go hand in hand.
There is heavy traffic going to the temples during school and public holidays. Directions: near Ayer Itam, close to funicular
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 Graham & Ning - Kek Lok
Si Temple, Penang by KurtdhisLeave a Comment Directions: near Ayer Itam, close to funicular
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 Kek Lok Si by kenyneo
Station 1 - Temple entrance & Turtle liberation pond.
( I remember releaseing some tortoise
here when I was small , mum asked us
to release it cos we practically do not
have time to take care of these cutey,
probably we are just lazy )
Station 2 - Hill gateway & the Hall of Bodhisattvas
What the difference between Buddhas & Bodhisattvas ? They have many similiarity but the essence of their journey is a little different. While Buddha aims to be in Nirwana ( live in perfection and simplicity ) the Boddhisattva on the other hand vow that he/she will out of compassion, not to enter Nirvana until all beings have entered nirvana. This means the Bodhisattva practices not for her or his enlightenment alone, but for the enlightenment of all beings. The Bodhisattva vows to remain in this world of ignorance and confusion, vows to be willing to experience whatever living beings experience, until all beings are liberated....
Station3 - Garden Pavilion of Lord Buddha & the five Bhikkus
A fully ordained disciple of the Buddha is called a bhikkhu. "Mendicant monk" may be suggested as the closest equivalent for "Bhikkhu", literally it means "he who begs" but bhikkhus do not beg. They silently stand at the door for alms. They live on what is spontaneously given by the supporters. He is not a priest as he is no mediator between God and man. He has no vows for life, but he is bound by his rules which he takes of his own accord. He leads a life of voluntary poverty and celibacy. If he is unable to live the Holy Life, he can discard the robe at any time Leave a Comment Directions: near Ayer Itam, close to funicular
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 Goddess of Mercy Statue by kenyneo
Station 8 - Hall of Buddhas of 5 Regions
The Mahayana and the Vajrayana Buddhist traditions believe that the Adibuddha, the primordial Absolute One, manifests as five Dhyani Buddhas by his meditative powers, and Amitabha is one of the five transcendental Buddhas.
Unlike Gautama Buddha Shakyamuni who is a historical human figure, each of these five incarnated abstract aspects of Buddhahood represents a family with related faculties of enlightenment and directions. The five Dhyani Buddhas demonstrate how the five aggregates (aspects of the personality: body, experience, perception, spiritual stimulation, and consciousness) can be transformed into different aspects of enlightenment.
The five Buddhas namely
1) Vairocana Buddha ( centre ) the Illustrious One
2) Akshobhya Buddha ( East ) , The Impurtabable One
3) Ratnasambhava Buddha (South ) The One Born from a Jewel
4) Amitabha Buddha ( West ), the One with Boundless Light
5) Amogasiddhi Buddha ( north ), the One with Infallible Success
Station 9 - Pagoda of a Million Buddhas
Station 10 - Kuan Yin Statue (bronze statue, top level) or Goddess of Mercy , also called Leave a Comment Directions: near Ayer Itam, close to funicular
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 The top of the temple by Dxenion
Apparently it's earnt the 1000 Thieves name through repuatation handed down from one generation of tourists to the next. I had to check this one out for myself.
It's a little difficult to find using the local buses as you wont be dropped at the base of the steps, but will have to find the right side street to get to the start of them. I'm sure at one point I was wandering through someone's back yard looking for the 'steps'. Most bus drivers were quite vague with their directions. You may find a taxi quicker and less confusing.
Once on the steps to the temple, you'll realise where the 'Thieves' name came from. All along the way, you'll find yourself dancing around the experienced salespeople attending the stalls jammed together under the tarpaulin roof trying to sell you anything and everything. They all swear you wont get a better deal but you can and will back in Georgetown.
The narrow steps wind their way up to the temple where you'll be thankful to be free from the humid climb and all the yelling and plea bargaining - and no, I didn't count how many steps there actually are. All I know is it felt like 1000 of them!
The temple is attended by male and female monks at their prayer ritual and photography of them is not allowed. The walls are lined floor to ceiling with golden buddas. You can wander around the grounds checking out the specacular views of Georgetown and the surrounding area.
Oh and one last thing - once you get to the top, it's a bit of a shock to find out you can drive up here! Leave a Comment Directions: near Ayer Itam, close to funicular
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The largest Buddhist temple in Malaysia is the Kek Lok Si Temple. You will need your walking shoes for this one.
After you get past all the souvenir stalls you will reach Ban Po Thar, a seven tier tower.
It is said to be Burmese at the top, Chinese at the bottom, and Thai in the middle.
In another three story shrine, there is a large Thai Buddha image that was donated by the king of Thailand.
When we were there it was Chinese New Year and the temple was decorated with red and gold lanterns. Leave a Comment Directions: near Ayer Itam, close to funicular
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 Pagoda by Ines28Leave a Comment Directions: near Ayer Itam, close to funicular
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 a small part of the temple by Tattugran
Visiting hours are 9am to 6pm Leave a Comment Directions: near Ayer Itam, close to funicular
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 Unique pagoda with 3 blends by kenyneo
Without doubt one of 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.
How it started
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.
Gigantic Statue of Goddess of Mercy ( Kuan YIn )
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. Leave a Comment Directions: near Ayer Itam, close to funicular
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