Maybe weird for an atheist, but I really enjoy visiting temples and churches. My reasons to visit them are artistic and aesthetic, and because I am interested in rituals and other cultures. So when we visited Georgetown on Penang, Malaysia, we also explored it’s temples. And Penang, being multi-cultural, like Singapore, sure has a lot […]
Kek lok Si temple, third and final part.
In the previous two posts about Kek Lok Si temple in Penang, I showed you around at the top level and at the main mid-level. The last things I would like to show you from the main level are: This gate….. I think this is done by one of the Tiger Balm brothers who were […]
Kek Lok Si temple, part 2
Yesterday we started our tour through the Kek Lok Si temple complex at the top level, where wishing ribbons are sold and where roof tiles can be adopted. Let’s now wander through the lower (and main) levels. There are large prayer halls, two pagodas, a turtle pond, shops and there are buddhas. Many, many buddhas. As you can […]
Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang Hill, Malaysia
One of Penang’s best known temples is the Kek Lok Si Temple on Penang Hill.It is the largest Buddhist temple in Asia and ‘Kek Lok Si’ translates as ‘Temple of Supreme Bliss’. Looking down from higher level to lower level. And huge it is; it is built on several levels on Penang Hill and consisting […]
Thaipusam is coming soon!
You remember my post about the Indian festival Thaipusam? Pierced cheeks and tongue and carrying a huge spike kavadi. It is really special. The ambiance at the temple from where it starts is very lively and unusual during about 24 hours. There is a sense of community spirit, devotion, focus, happiness, pain, trance. The whole […]
Ten Thousand Buddha’s Monastery, Hong Kong
My last posts were all about the W Hong Kong. Let’s (for now) change topic, because I would not want you to think that I am doing nothing but sitting in my hotel room, admiring the decor and the views. So yes, I DO go out to explore the city;-). What I had read about the […]
Baoan Temple’s Garden, Taipei
Across from Baoan Temple there is a nice little park, belonging to the temple. It has statues, a pond, a mosaic mural, a square for events and a giant oven for burning paper objects. Some men were preparing to set up a giant ‘party’-tent for the upcoming event. Can anyone read the banners and tell […]
Baoan Temple, Taipei
Diagonally across the street from the Confucius Temple, you find the Baoan Temple plus it’s garden and event area. There was an upcoming event. I don’t know which one. Can anyone read the signs and tell me what it was about? The Baoan Temple dates from 1804 and is focussed on folk religion. I love […]
The Confucius Temple, Taipei
I know, I already portrayed several temples from Taipei. The Confucius Temple and the Baoan Temple are the last two, promise!;-) The two temples are next to each other and have a totally different look and feel about them. The Confucius Temple is very quiet, peaceful and clean. It originates from 1879, but has been rebuilt […]
Qing Shan Temple, Taipei
Not far from Long Shan Temple is the much smaller, quieter and less known Qing Shan Temple. It took a bit of time and effort to find this temple, mainly because of the language barrier, but we succeeded. This temple is well worth the search and visit, because it is very special and beautiful. The temple […]