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"Penang's most popular attraction, the Kek Lok Si Temple is the biggest and most beautiful Buddhist temple complex in Malaysia. It is also one of the first being built in the South East Asia region."
Introduction
Arguably the largest and most beautiful Buddhist temple complex in Malaysia, the Kek Lok Si temple, which is also referred to as the 'Temple of Supreme Bliss' or the 'Pure Land Temple', covers the expanse of a sloping, east-facing hillside at Air Itam, just to the west of the city of Georgetown. As you walk into the temple's compound, you will notice large boulders that bear inscriptions of Chinese verses, beautiful sculptures. The serene air and peaceful ambience of the compound grounds reflects the tranquility borne of meditation and prayers within the temple's interior.
One of the most impressive feature of the temple is the 'Ban Po That Pagoda', or the Pagoda of Ten Thousand Buddhas. As the name goes, this pagoda is made of octagonal tiers adorned with quite a number of statues of the Buddha. This pagoda was built in honour of Boddhisattva Tsi Tsuang Wang, an enlightened soul who, despite having attained the state, declined to enter Nirvana and chose, instead, to help bring others to salvation.
History
The temple was constructed over a period of over three decades, between 1893 and 1905, while the Ban Po That pagoda was only completed in 1930. Construction of the temple benefited from donations from several benefactors who also happened to be prominent figures in Penang at the time, including Cheong Fatt Tze.
People
A great number of the Chinese community in Penang are Buddhist devotees. There are also a significant number of Thai and Burmese Buddhist descendants, whose predecessors arrived in Penang under the 'open door' policy of Francis Light. Interestingly, during the construction of the Ban Po That pagoda, the (then) Thai monarch had graciously laid the foundation stone for the pagoda, which is also adorned with a Burmese crown.
Events & Festivals
The temple becomes notably busier whenever there is a religious Buddhist festival including Songkran and Loy Krathong.
For more information, please contact:
Penang Tourism Action Council
56th Floor, KOMTAR
10000 Penang
Tel : 604-262 0202
Fax : 604-2631020
Email : enquiry@tourismpenang.gov.my
OR
Penang Tourist Centre on Persiaran KingEdward, at +604-261 6663
Last viewed - July 20, 2008
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