Nirvana was first used by the Buddha to describe the highest state of profound well-being a human is capable of attaining. With the religion dating back to its roots 2,500 years ago, besides impacting millions of people throughout history, it has also played a major role in inspiring some of the most remarkable landmarks the world has ever seen. This is where our biggest pride, the Kek Lok Si Temple shines brightly.
6 Facts You Weren’t Aware Of Kek Lok Si Temple
#1 The Apple Of Malaysians Eyes
Built in 1890, this sacred Buddhist palace was a symbol of the emerging Chinese community with purity, heaven and a supreme bliss associated with now, the biggest temple in Malaysia and a pilgrimage place of worship for neighboring Southeast Asian countries. Staggered on a hill that later on discovered to innate the right feng-shui to place a temple, Kek Lok Si to date represents the beauty of Buddhism and cultural assimilation in Asia in ways seen and unseen.
#2 Built By A Scholar/ Buddhist Devout
A 19th Century ornate of a Buddist Temple, Kek Lok Si was built by Beow Lean, a scholar and a Buddhist devout who seized the opportunity of elderly wealthy women leaning towards religion willing to contribute funds to build a temple on the hillsides engraved with thousands of detailed carvings,sculptures and murals alongside luscious wild greens, featuring seven-tier Ban Po Thar pagoda and a glorious 36.5m-high bronze statue of Kuan Yin, goddess of mercy.
Naming the hill Huock-san(Crane Hill) because it resembled a crane spreading its wings, Venerable Beow Lean decided to build a temple, to be known as “Huock San Kek Lok Jan Si”, which would act as a retreat center for Buddhists.
#3 Lits Up For 30 days During CNY
As the evening sets in during the month of Chinese New Year, Kek Lok Si Temple will shine its way seeming like the biggest star to be blinking on the island consisting of 100,000 lights and lanterns lighting up the seven-tier Ban Po Thar pagoda and Kuan Yin with a generous contribution from the Buddhist community and donation from devotees throughout the world.
#4 Elements Of Thai & Burmese Influences
Blending in the influences of Burma, Thailand & China with the themes commonly drawn from Buddhist and Hindu cosmology and myths,Kek Lok Si temple’s famous pagoda’s architectural design represents a blend of beliefs commonly rare as the Chinese octagonal base incorporates Thai designed cream colored middle tier and with the golden crown build with a heavy Burmese influence as Burma, the land of Pagoda elegantly brings everything together.
#5 12 Zodiac Signs At The Entrance
Along the way to the hilltop, stop by the statues of the 12 Chinese zodiac animals and take a shot of you with your own personal zodiac. Among the twelve zodiac animals are a rat, ox, tiger, rabbit (or hare), dragon, snake, horse, sheep (or goat), monkey, rooster, dog, and pig. Many Chinese believe that the year of a person’s birth is the primary factor in determining that person’s personality traits, physical and mental attributes and degree of success and happiness throughout his or her lifetime. If you haven’t figure out what’s yours, find and see how relatable it gets!
#6 Monks Pilgrimage
Often to associate monks to monasteries, staggered on a crane hill, Kek Lok Si Temple also serves as a monastery which exudes longevity, and wisdom that comes with beliefs from the monks taking pilgrimage seeking high-mindedness, purity, and freedom here in our island. While Kek Lok Si Temple is open to visitors, the temple equally serves as a monastery to seekers entirely devoting themselves to Buddhism. While you’re at it grasping the beauty of Kek Lok Si Temple, join the monks for a short meditation to see the other side of beauty at this humble home.
