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Title: Statue of BuddhasLocation: Mid Section Temple, Kek Lok Si, Penang, Malaysia
Date: 23 November 2008, 9.59am
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/8.0, ISO Equiv.: 100
A close-up shot. I love the peaceful looking Buddha in this picture. His eyes are staring down at devotees.
Title: SwastikaLocation: Mid Section Temple, Kek Lok Si, Penang, Malaysia
Date: 23 November 2008, 9.52am
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/8.0, ISO Equiv.: 100
In Buddhism, the swastika signifies auspiciousness and good fortune as well as the Buddha's footprints and the Buddha's heart. The swastika is said to contain the whole mind of the Buddha and can often be found imprinted on the chest, feet or palms of Buddha images. It is also the first of the 65 auspicious symbols on the footprint of the Buddha.
Title: The Way to EnlightenmentLocation: Mid Section Temple, Kek Lok Si, Penang, Malaysia
Date: 23 November 2008, 9.53am
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/9.0, ISO Equiv.: 100
Date: 23 November 2008, 9.53am
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/9.0, ISO Equiv.: 100
A Buddha statue with a polite hand gesture.
Title: Buddha's FeetLocation: Mid Section Temple, Kek Lok Si, Penang, Malaysia
Date: 23 November 2008, 10.54am
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/10.0, ISO Equiv.: 100
A close-up shot of Buddha's feet.
Title: Temple Roof Location: Mid Section Temple, Kek Lok Si, Penang, Malaysia
Date: 23 November 2008, 10.07am
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/10.0, ISO Equiv.: 180
An interesting view from above the temple. Hundreds of tiny little tiles to decorate the roof.
Title: The Red Temple 1Location: Mid Section Temple, Kek Lok Si, Penang, Malaysia
Date: 23 November 2008, 9.57am
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/8.0, ISO Equiv.: 100
A twisted angle of the red temple.
Title: The Red Temple 2Location: Mid Section Temple, Kek Lok Si, Penang, Malaysia
Date: 23 November 2008, 9.57am
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/8.0, ISO Equiv.: 100
A mixture of red and white.
After spending two hours exploring the temple ground and mid section, I decided to move to the hilltop. I paid RM1 for one way up to the supreme temple located at top of the hill. The RM1 fee is a minimal contribution to fund a shelter for the Goddess of Mercy or fondly named as Kuan Yin.
The 3 - 4 minutes trip up to the hilltop is an interesting ride. Visitors were ushered into a medium-sized inclined lift - the world's first. At first, I was holding for my dear life during the 4 minutes ride up to the hilltop. But, I was thrilled and truly enjoyed the ride.
The inclined lift is more of a tram - an elevator-sized glass box mounted on rails which goes up to the terrace above the existing temple where the goddess stands. I took my camera and snapped some pictures showing the lift moving up the sharp and inclined hill.
When I walked out of the lift, the Sun was shinning brightly. It was a hot morning. My eyes were squinting trying to find my way around. There is a huge Kuan Yin statue on top of a temple - a nicely crafted statue from stone.
Later, I moved on and discovered a gigantic bronze statue of Goddess of Mercy. The bronze statue is the latest addition to the temple complex - a 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.
Overall, Kek Lok Si Temple is the best temple and a MUST-SEE attraction in Penang. Initially, I have the impression the temple is way too big to conquer in one day. I only spent three hours to explore the entire temple. The walkways are brilliantly designed to ensure visitors a clear way around the temple. The temple is clean, properly maintained and blend harmoniously with the environment. Temple of Supreme Bliss is still expanding - mega donation are still flowing into the temple's coffer - mostly from visitors, individuals, corporate company and 'powerful' people.
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