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Kek Lok Si (Buddhist) Temple, Penang
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Kek Lok Si - Penang
Kek Lok Si
by kenyneo
Things to Do in Penang: Kek Lok Si (Buddhist) Temple tips and photos posted by real travelers and Penang locals.
Kek Lok Si (Buddhist) Temple
Ayer Itam
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Kek Lok Si (Buddhist) Temple: complex temple complex
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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!

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  • Directions: near Ayer Itam, close to funicular

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    Kek Lok Si (Buddhist) Temple: Kek Lok Si
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  • Unique pagoda with 3 blends - Penang
    Unique pagoda with 3 blends
    by kenyneo
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    What it means 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.

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  • Directions: near Ayer Itam, close to funicular

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    Kek Lok Si (Buddhist) Temple: Kek Lok Si Temple
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  • Graham & Ning - Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang - Penang
    Graham & Ning - Kek Lok
    Si Temple, Penang
    by Kurtdhis
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    One of Southeast Asia's finest Buddhist temples, the Kek Lok Si is located in the town of Ayer Itam. Built in tiers, the temple culminates with the beautifully crafted, 7-story, 30 meters high "Pagoda of Ten Thousand Buddha's". The work of ancient Burmese, Chinese, and Thai craftsmen, it took more than 20 years to be built. Featuring a turtle pond, gardens, sculptures, and shrines, the temple is set against scenic surroundings of beauty and tranquility. The entrance at the foot of the hill takes visitors up 193 steps lined with stalls selling all manner of handicrafts and bric-a-brac.

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  • Directions: near Ayer Itam, close to funicular

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    Kek Lok Si (Buddhist) Temple: The one and only Kek Lok Si
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  • This is probably the most well known iconic symbol of Penang Island. Driving towards Air Itam, you will see the Kek Lok Si temple complex mushrooming on a hill slope appearing about the town. 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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    Kek Lok Si (Buddhist) Temple: The gems in Kek Lok Si pagoda
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  • There are 10 major stations to this tour .... 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

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  • Directions: near Ayer Itam, close to funicular

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    Kek Lok Si (Buddhist) Temple: Buddhist Temple
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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.

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  • Directions: near Ayer Itam, close to funicular

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    Kek Lok Si (Buddhist) Temple: Buddha of 5 Regions
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  • Goddess of Mercy Statue - Penang
    Goddess of Mercy Statue
    by kenyneo
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    Station 7 - Main prayer hall 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

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  • Directions: near Ayer Itam, close to funicular

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    Kek Lok Si (Buddhist) Temple: Also known as the 'Temple of 1000 Thieves'
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  • If the name intrigues you, read on. 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!

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  • Directions: near Ayer Itam, close to funicular

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    Kek Lok Si (Buddhist) Temple: Kek Lok Si Temple
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  • This is one of the most beautiful existing Buddhist temples. It is quite large and built over several steps, the view over the mountains is very nice. The mixture of Chinese, Thai and Burmese architecture is fascinating. The temple consists of many prayer halls, pagodas, bell towers and just about every other typical temple structure you can think of. However, two structures dominate the scenery, especially when the temple is seen from afar. One is the seven storey pagoda which dates from the temple's founding. The other is a huge bronze statue of the Goddess of Mercy, Kuan Yin - a popular diety in Penang.

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  • Directions: near Ayer Itam, close to funicular

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    Kek Lok Si (Buddhist) Temple: More of Kek Lok Si Pagoda
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  • Station 4 - Amitabha Buddha Pagoda "Buddha of Infinite Light". He is one of the five Dhyani Buddhas. He is the Lord of the "Pure Land" of the West known as Sukhavati. According to Mahayana Buddhist sutras he was a king in the remote period of time. Renouncing his kingdom, he became a monk and was named Dharmakara, which means 'Treasury of Dharma'. Inspired by the teachings of the then Buddha of that time, Lokesvaraja Buddha, who taught him the way to supreme enlightenment many aeons ago, he made forty eight great vows for the saving of the sentient beings Station 5 - Hall of Devas In Hinduism Devas are the supreme and represent various forms of god, that is why the priest is called Deobhaju. But for Buddhism Deva are manifestations of the mind and the mind and the Guru are one Station 6 - Hall of Mahawira Aside from Buddhism, the most important school to arise in this period was Jainism. Unlike the other heretical schools, Jainism has survived to the present day as a major religion in India; unlike Buddhism, however, it has not spread outside of India. The great teacher of Jainism, Vardhamana Mahavira, lived at the same time as Siddhartha Guatama, the founder of Buddhism. This path involves a high degree of ascetism; quite literally the best lived life is one of total ascetism: no food or material involvement at all. Since this is an impossible idea, Mahavira developed a second path for normal human beings to follow. This involved five abstinences: ahimsa (non-violence), satya (truthfulness), asteya (abstinence from stealing), brahmacarya (chaste living), and aparigraha (abstinence from greed).

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  • Directions: near Ayer Itam, close to funicular

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