Science Fair Project Encyclopedia
Kek Lok Si
Kek Lok Si (Temple of Supreme Bliss; Traditional Chinese : 極樂寺; Simplified Chinese : 极乐寺) is a Buddhist temple situated in Air Itam of Penang and the best known temple on that island.
The construction of the temple begun in 1893 and was inspired by the chief monk of the Goddess of Mercy Temple of Pitt Street. With the support of the consular representative of China in Penang, the project received the sanction of the Manchu Emperor Kangxi, who bestowed a tablet and gift of 70,000 volumes of the Imperial Edition of the Buddhist Sutras.
In 1930, the seven storey main pagoda of the temple or the Pagoda of 10,000 Buddhas, was completed. This pagoda combines a Chinese octagonal base with a middle tier of Thai design, and a Burmese crown; reflecting the temple's embrace of both Mahayana and Theravada Buddhism.
In 2002, a 30.2m bronze statue of the Kuan Yin was completed and opened to public. The statue is located on the hillside above the pagoda.
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