Trifter

We took Ming’s van and arrived in Penang around 12:00 noon mid-day and we had our lunch of the famous Penang Prawn noodles in the hawkers’ stalls. After that, we ascended the long climb of staircase to Kek Los Si Temple. The cobbled staircase that leads to Kek Lok Si Temple is lined up with many local stalls that sell T-shirts, hats, handbags and other souvenirs.

We stopped half-way and bought some cold bottled “rhinocerous” brand water to quench our thirst. The locals drink this cooling water because it is boiled with the shavings from the horns of the rhinocerous. Next to this particular small snacks and drinks store, is a pond filled with turtles and there is a old man based permanently here selling “kang-kung” which is a local green skinny vegetable loved by the turtles. We bought a bunch and fed them to the turtles. The chinese believe that turtles bring lots of of prosperity and good luck. We prayed that these wonderful creatures will bless us indeed.

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View from the top of Kek Lok Si Temple. The structures here are magnificient. The pagoda has small miniature statues of buddha and at tha back is an impressive statue of Buddha in meditating position.

In the temples, there are small traders selling buddhist charms such as bracelets, beadworks, photos and postcards of buddha, candles, chinese fans, joss sticks and buddhist books and chinese calligraphy or paintings. If you fancy having you fortune read, there are monks or nuns here who are more than happy to tell you a thing or two about your future and their predictions are quite accurate!

As a sign of respect, visitors are told to leave their shoes outside the temple and littering is not allowed. No food or drinks are allowed because the authorities want to preserve the cleanliness of the temple. Quite a lot of visitors will make donations to the temple. You may also have a candle in the shape of a lotus flower lit up so that you will have constant blessing from Buddha. All you have to do is make a small donation of about RM$6 but of course this vary according to the size of the flower. The lady at the counter will write your wish in chinese.

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According to the chinese legend, Buddha was an Indian Prince and his real name was Siddharta Gautama and he gave up his wife and children and tried to end man’s sufferings by guiding his followers to gain enlightenment through the Right Path!

We decided to pray earnestly for our health, prosperity and for the blessing of a child. My husband and I have tried very hard for a child but with no luck for several years so we decided to give Kek Lok Si Temple a try! We loved the interior of the chinese temple and there was an air of divinity in the temple. The feeling was peaceful and you will definitely feel that there is superior power somewhere. We do have pray to Kuan Yin and she is seen as a disciple of Buddha and she listen to our human cries and woes more. She was also believed to be an Indian Princess who followed the footsteps of Buddha. Many chinese women like to worship Kuan Yin because she is seen as “compassionate” and will bless them with children.

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Here is a photo of the The Golden statue of Kuan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy

After visiting Kek Lok Si Temple, we decided to stop at the Laksa Stall at the foot of the hill and they served very delicious hot and spicy fish noodles here called “Laksa”. We also bought some local sweets and biscuits from the local bakery. Penang is also noted for sweets and biscuits which are called “Tau Sar Peah” (roundish biscuits with lotus seed paste fillings which is also known as Tambun biscuits) and “Pong Peah” (flat and flakish biscuits).

Well, a year later our little girl is born and we were indeed blessed! So, for you folks out there if you want a blessing from Buddha…visit Kek Lok Si Temple! Your life will never be the same anymore. We all need a helping hand from above sometimes. Amitabha!