Visiting the Huge Kuan Yin in Penang
Myself with JJ who assisted me to Pinang.
Monlam, myself and long time student Chia.
Keloksi Temple is the Largest Chinese Buddhist Monastery in Malaysia as far as I know. It is in the Northern State of Pinang which is five hours drive from Kuala Lumpur.
The Temple complex is huge. Here we are visiting the outdoor Kuan Yin (Avalokitesvara) image at Keloksi. Fantastic structure. The cover for Kuan Yin is nearly done. I rejoice and feel very happy to see this sacred image of Kuan Yin so awe inspiring. May Kuan Yin bless us all to full enlightenment.
I went to Pinang with JJ, Chia and Monlam. We had a nice overnight trip in which I visited our Kechara Paradise Outlet in Pinang for the first time also.
Tsem Rinpoche
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Standing on a hilltop at Air Itam, near Penang Hill, Kek Lok Si is the largest Buddhist temple in Malaysia. There is stunning bronze statue of the Goddess of Mercy, Kuan Yin . I did visited years back just completed then. Merely looking at it is a blessing . So So… Rinpoche did visited before. Now Kok Lok Si Temple, has become one of a tourist hot spot. Many people visited this beautiful temple and especially the Kuan Yin Statue.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing.
I did visit this temple many years ago. We donated money to the temple and wrote our names on a roof tile so it could be in the temple for ever so nice to see it is almost finished
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I thank the Malaysian government for truly practising religious freedom for all its citizens. Monuments like this is not easy to built, people had the raise funds for it, plan for it, execute and implement the construction and hence forth. Monuments like this if done beautifully is not only a religious icon it can also attract tourists as well. It will add another dimension to attracting tourists to Malaysia.
If you are in Malaysia and have not been to Kok Lok Si Temple, you must go and visit this temple. It is HUGE, and has a outdoor Kuan Yin. It is situated on top of a mountain, and you can choose to walk up, or take electric transporter to go up. It is very convenient.
The Kuan Yin image can be seen even from far, and I sincerely wish she will bless us to achieve enlightenment.
Dear Rinpoche,
The Big Statue at Kek Lok Si Temple you visited with Chia, Monlam and JJ bring back memories of my trip to Penang with you to raise funds for Gaden Monastery. We could not really visit it as it was only half completed due to non approval by the Penang Government. The Statue when completed would stand higher then the mosque. But at least we still have the freedom to practice religion.
Another important memory is that the Kuan Yin statue reminded me of how Kuan Yin saved and healed me when I was a baby. According to my mother. I was streaken with high fever which paralized half of my body and also affected my speech. My mother tried all ways to heal me and get me a cure. Nothing seems to be successful. And the last resort she went to a Kuan Yin temple in Jalan Ampang prayed and offered me up to Kuan Yin and made a promise that if I am healed I would serve Dharma. And now I am healed and serving Dharma as a Nun. OM MANI PADME HUM. Anila.
The huge Keloksi Temple， the largest Chinese Buddhist Monastery in Malaysia also reminded me of a teaching i have heard man years ago, delivered to a group of Malaysian Chinese practitioners who were in pursuance of the Kuan Yin Path (Avalokitesyara). It was about the doctrine of the famous Kuan Yin Pu Sa six syllables Mani mantra – “Om Mani Padme Hum”.
In accordance to the teaching, it was said that the mantra is a mantra for self development, achievable if one deepens his roots of virtues, and uproot his propensities and habits that are harmful to human relationships. The wondrous sound of the mantra awaken the heart of kindness and compassion in wholeness and purity of the good hearted to transform himself or others to benefit all beings.
Quotable quotes:
” Don’t change of the World for unless you change yourself,
the World will not change for you.
Life can be a rocky road,
the challenge is not to let it grind you into dust,
but polish you into a brilliant gem.”
om mani padme hum, ओं मणिपद्मे हूं, 唵嘛呢叭咪吽
I love this mantra – it is so soothing and calming. It is also one of the easiest mantra to recite, when walking, driving and even just before going to sleep.
If I’m not mistaken I’m “made” in Penang and born in Melaka :). Hence every few years, especially after I have started working my parents and I would travel to Penang for holiday, to visit the place of my origin :).
I too was very mesmerised by the large Kuan Yin statue when I first saw it. By having Kuan Yin statue in Penang state, the people in Penang would collect the merits whenever they see the Kuan Yin statue by planting the seeds of compassion in them. Due to the immense size of the statue, more people in Penang would have the opportunities to see the statue from far and more merits would be collected by the Ke Lok Si temple and people who contribute to the construction of the Kuan Yin statue.
These are very beautiful pictures of the Kuan Yin statue at Keloksi, Penang. I have heard of many people visiting Keloksi for blessing during auspicious occasions. In fact a friend of mine dedicated some blessings to me during wesak day when visited Keloksi. Perhaps one day I’ll pay a visit to Penang and see this beautiful statue. I hope that KWPC would come up quickly and the largest Lama Tsongkapa statue in it will also attract many people from all over the planet. I think the people who has contributed to building the Kuan Yin statue ay Keloksi must be very happy for having built the statue and benefiting so many people.
The Kuan Yin statue in Kek Lo Si, Penang looked impressive. It is being built by loving devotees to her as she represents compassion. She is Malaysian’s favorite deity and her statue is a must have for Buddhist in their home. My family used to visit the place during school holidays.
Where large Buddha statues have been erected, the temple would draw many visitors from afar and become a tourist destination. We hope to have such huge statues at KWPC in the future for devotees in Asia. Her mantra Om Mani Padme Hum is easy to recite although I did not understand the meaning of it then. It is nice to see Tsem Rinpoche taking a short break from KL to spend time out of KL.
This should be a very good sign of our government supporting their multi religious community practice their own religious. No doubt the permit approval for the build was taken quite long but whatever the caused the Kwan Yin Statue is there now and it’s going to bless a lot of people.
Seeing this large Kwan Yin Statue just imagine how many people will be benefited (from the start of the build until the people who going to maintain & visit).
I just can’t wait to see KWPC up at Genting foot leg. This is going to be a remarkable and a huge Buddhist Institution for anyone that would like to learn Buddhism/dharma.
That is a geogeous photo shot of Rinpoche & team. Thanks for sharing. Not forgetting the camera man must be equally good to capture the best view of Kuan Yin & everyone in the picture.
Hahaha! Monlam looks so funny! Like he is being half bear hugged.
Yes, the gigantic statue of Kuan Yin at Kek Lok Si Temple is really awesome! Years of fund raising, planning and executing culminated into this spectacle that will benefit Penangites and all Malaysians alike.
Having grown up in Penang I have visited this temple numerous times and I still do when I return to this lovely island. Penang also boasts of many old temples on the island and tourists throng them.
KWPC when completed will also draw many tourists, local and afar to visit and see architectural buildings inspired by countries from Tibet, Nepal, China and India. KWPC with its natural surroundings of lush greens will attract many nature lovers to trek, bird watch, etc.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing these pictures with us. Penang Island is simply beautiful. I will take every opportunity and make every excuse to visit the Island for the rest, recreation and food. Hehehe…. Without exception every trip would include a visit to the Kek Lok Si Temple and a visit to the liberation pond to visit the tortoise. Now with the completion of the super Kuan Yin Statue, there is no excuse not to visit.
Kuan Yin always exudes serenity, love and compassion. The structure is truly awe inspiring erected on a temple complex on a hill with beautiful view of the surrounding areas.
Penang has many other beautiful temples, one of them is a very old Kuan Yin temple right in the middle of town just off the ferry terminal. Thousands of devotees will congregate annually to make offerings and to celebrate Kuan Yin’s birthday. More than twenty years ago a tragedy happened during Kuan Yin’s birthday when the overhead bridge leading to the ferries collapsed killing many devotees. The numbers were overwhelming and the structure of the bridge could not take the weight. It was a very sad day.
There is also the Buddhist temple from Burma and the Buddhist temple from Sri Lanka situated opposite each other across the road.
Penang indeed is a lovely place to visit.
Hi Mei, Kek Lok Si brought back many old and fond memories for me too. When I was young an outing to Kek Lok Si was a very happy family outing. My grandparents would take me there. I looked forward to walking up the long, steeped, narrow roads and touching the souvenirs as I walked up. And I loved the shops that sell nutmeg. Now it has expanded and grew so big. Even the tortoise pond has become bigger. The tradition of buying “kangkung”to feed the tortoise is still being carried out to this day.
When my guests come to Penang, Kek Lok Si is the place to visit and not to be missed. I enjoyed taking them there even though I have been there countless of times I will not get bored with this beautiful temple. My recent visit was when Monlam, Jamie, Louise and Evvone came about 2-3weeks ago and I took them there.
Just to look at a Buddha is a rare opportunity, so when the symbolic representation of the enlightened body of a buddha is very big and many people can see it from far away, even at night (because it is true that this statue is beautifully lit at night), it benefits many more people. Upon, even the glimpse at a buddha, it is said that we benefit greatly for a seed is planted for us to meet with the Buddhadharma in the future, and for the more fortunate ones that have already engaged in Dharma practice in the past (this life or/and previous lives) it may trigger for Dharma to sprout again in our mindstream.
WoW! Kek Lok Si Temple has really improved so much since I last went there years ago! The latest Kuan Yin statue with its pavilion is so grand and majestic. I have seen the night picture of Her during the night, She looks like She is floating in the air watching over Penangite wherever they are! She is so so lovely!
I really can’t wait for our huge Je Tze Zin Ma in Kechara World Peace Centre to manifest, providing a serene, calm and peaceful environment for those seeking inner peace.
Not forgetting our outdoor Dzambala giving material and spiritual wealth and our Tara walk. A place where one can enjoy the beauty of nature and the calmness of mind and soul!!!
Is such the present trip travel with rinpoche, molam and JJ together to visit Kelosi outdoor big Kuan Yin statue at Penang. Rinpoche grab our hand together make prayer to Kuan Yin to wish for blessing and able to build Lama Tsongkhapa statue at KWPC land at the future. We took some picture together as the memory.
Wherever rinpoche travel, he always spent his time at to the temple making prayer in front the statue for Kechara organization to grown. Inspiration prayer is necessary to plant seed for us what to achieve for any dharma project. At the same time, we also should pray for dharma growing everywhere and stable in this country.
Chia
I love the photos in this blog. Makes me happy to see photos of Rinpoche with students, so happy and close! We are so fortunate to have a guru like Rinpoche.
I like going to Kek Lok Si when i was young…but what i could never get is i always get sick after each visit. Actually, any temples would trigge it off! My fever would get so high that i’d be hospitalized! That didn’t deter my attraction and fondness of these temples though.. I think I’m abit off now due to the high fever. Well, thank buddha i do not get headaches or sick anymore now…oddly, when i do more dharma work, i get less ill.
I agreed with Paris. We are very fortunate to be in beautiful Malaysia where we are free to practice any religion. We should also be grateful in that we do not have much natural disasters, war and famine, just to name a few.
My family and I was in Penang in mid December last year, and it was the same day I arrived Penang when I received news that my mum was hospitalized. Her breast cancer has metastasized to her liver, and she has developed jaundice. Our family knew it is time for her as Doctors has already prepared us with the worst. I was hasty to return to KL but I told myself I must make a stop to Kek Lok Si and do something for my mum, as she always has been close to Kuan Yin. As the Kuan Yin statue stood majestically before me, I seek her blessings for my mum in that if she has to leave us, may she go peacefully and may she be in a better place with no suffering. Somehow, I felt better after that. Mum did not show any pain for the next few days and she passed away peacefully. I must also not forget my colleagues in KMP who also prayed for my mum, for that, I am forever grateful.
I imagine our statues in KWPC would offer so much of comfort and hope to the public who go there to seek blessings. Wouldn’t that be wonderful?
The Godess of Mercy , Kuan Yin, has very close link with Chinese. In India and Tibet the Boddha of Compassion manifests as a male but in China the quality of compassion is symbolized by Kuan Yin , a female.
My first exposure to Buddhism is praying to Kuan Yin at temples. After which whenever I think of Buddhism, Kuan Yin naturally comes to my mind. Before I heard of the 3 jewels, I had been told to take refuge in Kuan Yin by my Mother. This is so strongly ingrained in me that despite 12 years of studying in a missionary school, there was never a single moment I entertained the thought of seeking refuge elsewhere other than Kuan Yin.
It is great to hear from everyone of the many fond memories they have had at Keloksi temple and the Kuan Tin statue. It shows that temples , retreat places with huge statues will definiately draw a crowd there and will be some kind of topics for discussion especially when their children have grown up. I also have visited Keloksi temple back in December 2008. At that time, it was still under construction. I was just in sheer awe when I stood in front of the statue. Penang is very fortunate to have such a holy statue of Kuan Yin overlooking the island from the hilltop and blessing every single soul.
With this note, I am just visualising in Kechara World Peace Cneter (KWPC) , the big Tsongkhapa statue that will be in our prayer hall, the 21 Tara Statues along Tara walk , the outdoor Dzambala statue with waterfall, I can imagine people from around the world visiting KWPC, attending yoga classes, painting classes, doing retreats etc. It will be a legacy for generations to come. And may be at that time, Jean Mei’s daughter will be commenting on KWPC blog site on how her mother take her to see the largest Tsongkhapa statue in the wrold! That day will come.
You are absolutely right Mei. Kek Lok Si holds alot of good memories for you and your siblings as your granparents have taken you all there many times. It does have the same fond memories for me too as my grandparents used to bring me there. In fact, an outing to Kek Lok Si is like a treat to me. There is a huge tortoise pond which i would save up on my pocket money so that when i go there, i can buy watercress (kang kung) to feed the tortoises. On a funnier note, do you remember the incident when Clifford was about 3 years old, grandparents brought him there and grandma was shoping on some batik wear and when she turned around, he was gone!!! They searched high and low for him and finally found him near the tortoise pond! Imagine this scenario; if he was not found at that time, today when you visit Kek Lok Si again, your long lost brother could have become the tortoise pond gate keeper!!!
I have visited Keloksi before. I even had the honour to write my name on one of the roof tiles before the kuan yin statue was built. That was their way of fundraising. I figured out in the end that where I written my name would be faced outwards and the rain will wash it away but never mind, donating to a temple is good enough. In Keloksi, there is a lovely pagoda filled with over 1000 buddha images. Have you visited that part, Rinpoche? I also heard that there was a train ride around the statue. I did not get a chance to go during the last time. Kuan Yin is similiar to Chenrizig. I bet most people who visit the Kuan Yin statue in Keloksi, Penang will become less evil and more compassionate.
OM MANI PADME HUM!
Terima Kasih Rinpoche!
Ah! Guan Yin Pu Sa and the familiar sight of her new statue and pavilion arch over it in Penang.
This Bodhisattva, also known as ‘Samyak Vidya Dharma Tathagata’ (True Brightness/Right Knowledge of Dharma Tathagata) in one Sutra is my main Patron (as He is regarded as Penang’s Patroness) and Who have been instrumental in leading me out from my previous religious background into the radiance of Dharma!
‘A thousand hands to help, A thousand eyes to observe/contemplate’
And now, perhaps my Patron has led me to Rinpoche…to Kechara…
Om Mani Padme Hum! Namo Guan Shi Yin Pu Sa!
Wow! I don’t particularly like the way they made the pavillion that covers Kuan Yin but I am still amazed at the sheer immensity of the structure. Penang is truly a Buddhist island and I am sure the population of Buddhists on the island must be rather substantial with all the temple complexes etc. I also noticed that a lot of my fellow Kecharians are from Penang for some strange karmic reason.
Anyway, I can’t wait to see our own KWPC’s statues, Lama Tsongkhapa with Tara and Dzambala. These are not very Chinese-looking statues like Kuan Yin but being Buddha’s, they will cast their blessings all over Malaysia. What’s even more interesting is how KWPC is not going to be just an empty temple but it is already being planned to be a thriving learning institution for all manner of arts and spiritual disciplines but primarily to disseminate the Dharma. I can forsee that it is going to monumental and will leave a tremendous impact in this region for Buddhism.
I feel very happy reading this article over and over again!!
Because I always think Kuan Yin brought me to Rinpoche. I started chanting “Om Ma Ni Pad Me Hum” in 2007 after my friends passed away. I chanted everyday and I always feel love by looking at Kuan Yin statue. I didn’t understand Buddhism but I felt good by chanting, that time I wished I could understand more, and now I did improve and gain knowledge about Buddhism.
I remember I went Kek Lok Si around 2004, and that time the Kuan Yin statue was there without the roof. I feel the statue very pity coz it was raining that day and the statue was wet. Grateful that they are building a very nice roof for Kuan Yin. May all the people who view Kuan Yin image gain happiness!!
Just from these comments to Rinpoche’s post, we can see how an image of a Budddha in a common town would be able to affect us in many ways from one to the next without knowing how it actually started? In the world today when our emotions play a huge role in our life, the Buddhas work in their skillful means to rope our minds constantly towards the Dharma. Even a little thougbht/memory will help bring us from distraction to a calm abiding mind.
The construction of this sacred Kuan Yin Statue was faced with many obstacles over the years since its conceptualization. It is through these obstacles being purified that it is able to give hope, peace and fulfill the wishes of the many people who make prayers to Kuan Yin’s holy countenance.
Rinpoche made a sincere wish at this statue that KWPC will come up to benefit many. He further prayed for the long life of all the holy masters of our time that they may have a long, healthy and stable life and also for students seeking the path may come to awakening of their inner Buddha in them.
May this Kuan Yin statue be an inspiration for more huge outdoor statues to manifest in this region.
love,
JJ
Dear Rinpoche, when I saw these pictures, it reminds me of our trip to Penang with 4 other monks from Gaden Monastery in 1996 to assist you. We all stayed at Patsy’s apartment and my 3 kids were with us. We went to Penang from Grik after you gave teaching to the people of Grik. We we stayed in Grik for a few days. When in Penang, we visited Kek Lok Si, the Siamese and Burmese temple. From Penang we went to Ipoh and stayed in one centre in Ipoh where you gave teaching. I enjoyed the trip with you so much. How time flies, it is over 14 years now. I really relish those time.
We are very fortunate to have the freedom to practise what we believe in here in Malaysia. It was two years ago since i last visited the place and it is slowly taking up in place. This is very inspiring that we Malaysian can build this.
After looking at the photos, i just can’t wait when we wave Kechara World Peace Centre up soon where we can do meditation, retreat and learn Dharma from local teachers. The giant statues that we will be building will bless and purify the whole area and makes KWPC the most visited place in Malaysia Tourism hotspot!
Hi Jean Mei – From one Penangite to another – no one goes to our beautiful island without stopping by Kek Lok Si temple. My fondest memory of this place is the walk up the steep steps lined on both sides by stalls selling all kinds of souveniers. It has since been outdone by a road leading right up to almost the base of the pagoda. Another winding steep curve leads to this beautful Kuan Yin statue. No matter how many visitors there are and no matter how many times I visit the place, I find it almost always serene and soothing to the soul, not to mention that the walking around did some good for my body. It took many years for them to construct this structure, thanks to the many generous & kind sponsors and to the many many people directly and indirectly involved. Kuan Yin stands majestically on the hill top behind the temple, overlooking the island – blessing the people of the place with just its very presence.
Hahahaha, I just read Paris’s comment and it’s true! A lot of Malaysians go on and on about how Malaysia is “too muslim” and that the other religions are “surpressed” or “disadvantaged” because it is a Muslim country.
Malaysians are free to express our religious beliefs and I’m thankful for that. We don’t have to hide what we believe in.
Kek Lok Si was a place that I have visited MANY, MANY times growing up. Having been born in Penang (Pinang) I used to go back during my school vacations where my grandparents would take my siblings and I to pray and to run around (the place is HUGE). I feel that regularly visiting Kek Lok Si and the other beautiful temples Penang have played a huge role in my attraction towards the Dharma today. The sense of peace, discipline and respect that you feel when stepping into a temple stems from the reputation we have of Buddhism. Noone walks into a temple smoking, walking around with shoes and laughing loudly and almost animal-like. We, even as kids, would go into a temple feeling humbled, stepping into one with our bare-feet. Having places like Kek Lok Si present in Malaysia is essential in the spread of Dharma.
I’m happy and very proud of Kek Lok Si to have built such a magnificent Kuan Yin statue. It means that those who were part of the temple had enough merits to build such a HUGE Kuan Yin. May that temple grow and benefit more people 🙂
Malaysia is truly a multi religious and multi cultural country . I’m grateful to the government of Malaysia that we can practice our own individual faiths.
Its been a while since I went up to Penang, that time the large Kuan Yin has not been around yet.
Kuan Yin the Goddess of Mercy was probably the first Bodhisattva I knew of and was exposed to as a kid. “OM MANI PADME HUM” was the first mantra I was introduced to. I was 15 years old when my best friend introduced the mantra to me.
KUAN YIN is known as Chenrezig in Tibet and its in a male form. Chenrezig is the most famous deity in Tibet. Check out this link to the 4 armed Chenrezig
http://tsemtulku.com/resources/buddhas/4-arm-chenrezig/
PS really nice to see JJ, Chia and Monlam with Rinpoche too – these three guys have really put in a lot to serve Rinpoche through the years (well, especially Chia who’s been around for more than 10 years). I respect them very much for being able to devote their whole lives to serving the Dharma via their assistance to Rinpoche.
Wait til we have our own very large statues in KWPC!! It’s inspiring for us to see enormous statues like this Kuan Yin in Penang, and I believe there are other really huge structures even in eastern Malaysian states, where Buddhist community is very much a minority. Sure shows us what can be achieved if we just put our mind to it…
And you know what, I don’t care about all the nonsense that people say about living in Malaysia, blah blah blah. The fact is that although this is a Muslim country, there are still plenty of really beautiful and amazingly large Buddhist images like this all around the country. They don’t create problems for us not in the way that many, many other countries experience. So aiyo all those people who yarn on and on and on about the political situation: you know what, put a lid on it, go spend a nice peaceful afternoon with Kuan Yin at Kek Lok Si and think about the many, many other people in the world who cannot even openly practise their religion.
I remembered I went there as a kid. Since young, I love Kuan Yin. Whenever I was sad or had problems, I would talk to her… With her blessings, I am able to get in touch with Dharma and meeting Rinpoche and many many super loveable Dharma brothers and sisters… I am glad to see Kechara has grown rapidly. This only means, many people are loving Dharma!
Thankyou Rinpoche!
Thank you for this great blog and photos!