Kek Lok Si Temple
PenangSentral.com » Penang Tourist Attractions » Kek Lok Si Temple
The Kek Lok Si Temple (Penang Hokkien for 'Temple of Supreme Bliss';
Simplified Chinese: 极乐寺; Traditional Chinese: 極樂寺) is a Buddhist temple situated
in Air Itam in Penang and is one of the best known temples on South East Asia.
Mahayana Buddhism and traditional Chinese rituals blend into a harmonious whole,
both in the temple architecture and artwork as well as in the daily activities
of worshippers.
The history of Kek Lok Si can be traced to the late 19th century. The founder
and first Abbott of Kek Lok Si was the Venerable Beow Lean, who was born into a
devout Buddhist family in Fujian province in 1844.
At the age of 33, he left his occupation as a businessman to devote his life to
the teachings of Buddhism. In 1885, he came to Penang with the aim of obtaining
donations for the renovation of a monastry in Fuzhou, China. Construction of Kek
Lok Si Temple began in 1893 and was completed in 1905. Built in tiers, the
beautifully crafted 'Pagoda of Ten Thousand Buddhas' took more than 20 years to
build and was only completed in 1930. It combines a Chinese octagonal base,
middle tiers of Thai architecture and a Burmese crown, reflecting the temple’s
wide embrace of Mahayana and Theravada Buddhism.
The temple also features gardens, a turtle pond, shrines and beautiful
sculptures. This is one of Penang’s (and Malaysia) most popular attractions.
Most visitors approach the temple as they ascend a stairway, roofs of which
provide shelter to a multitude of shops selling souvenirs and other - mostly
secular - commodities. They pass by a so-called Liberation Pond, following the
Buddhist tradition of merit-making, turtles may be released into freedom, albeit
a limited one.
In 2002, a 30.2 m bronze statue of the Kuan Yin was completed and opened to
public. The statue is located on the hillside above the pagoda. If you want to
get a close-up look of the Kuan Yin statue, look for the signs of the "Incline
Lift" that can brings you there. It is an elevated box sized lift mounted on
rails. The cost for using the "Inline Lift" will be RM3.00* each way.
The temple itself consists of several large hall for assembly and prayer, here,
statues of Buddha, various Bodhisattvas as well as Chinese gods are being
venerated. Intricate woodwork, often brightly painted and a plethora of lanterns
add to the visual impression. The temple is a focal point of festivals of the
Chinese community in Penang. The Chinese New Year celebrations are particularly
impressive, for 33 days following Chinese New Year, the temple remains open
until late at night whilst thousands of lights turn the scenery into a sea of
light.
Contact Information
Address: Air Itam, 10450 Penang, Malaysia
Tel: +604 828 3317
Open Hours: 9.00 am - 6.00 pm daily (Open until late at night during Chinese New
Year)
Entrance Fee: Free, except for a small charge of RM2.00* each for entry into the
pagoda
Incline Life Fee: Adults - RM6.00* (2 ways), Children - RM3.00* (2 ways)
*prices subject to change
Getting There
Depending on where you’re coming from, you can hire a taxi from any location in
Penang or take the Rapid Penang Bus U201 / U203 / U204 / U206 / U502. You will
be able to see the Kuan Yin statue and Pagoda from afar. Stop at the bus stop
located along Jalan Pasar, at the foothills of the temple.
From there, follow the signs leading to the temple.
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