The Reclining Buddha At Wat Chayamangkalaram In Penang

Posted by : foongpc | Friday, September 5, 2014 | Published in

ADVERTISEMENT


My fourth and final day in Penang was spent visiting temples, temples and more temples!

First I visited the Kek Lok Si Temple in Air Itam. Then I visited the Dhammikarama Burmese Buddhist Temple at Burmah Lane (Lorong Burma). After that, I crossed the road to the Thai Buddhist Temple opposite where the famous Reclining Buddha resides.

 photo P1220917_zps0088eff5.jpg

Known as Wat Chayamangkalaram (also written as Wat Chaiyamangalaram), this Thai Buddhist temple was built in 1845 by a Buddhist monk from Thailand. The story goes that this monk was very fond of Penang's laksa. Even to this day, devotees bring a bowl of laksa as offering to his shrine.

 photo P1220919_zpse2c2d699.jpg

Walking towards the main temple building, I was greeted by two tall guardians. Next to the two guardians are a pair of seven-headed serpent on the left and and a pair of dragons on the right.

 photo P1220921_zpscb0d778b.jpg

The seven-headed serpent

 photo P1220923_zpscac31961.jpg

 photo P1220924_zps4d902b4e.jpg

The pair of dragons.

 photo P1220925_zpsb85c7a48.jpg

 photo P1220927_zps865146ff.jpg

 photo P1220928_zpsa48e65bb.jpg

The temple was built on a 5-acre piece of land donated by Queen Victoria to the Thai community. It is presently the largest Thai Buddhist temple in Penang.

 photo P1220930_zps92c897cd.jpg

 photo P1220931_zps547698ed.jpg

 photo P1220932_zps17d9c20d.jpg

One of tall guardians guarding the temple.

 photo P1220933_zps911afb34.jpg

I have seen similar looking guardians at temples in Bangkok, Thailand.

 photo P1220934_zpsd7ebc1e2.jpg

Inside the main temple is the magnificent 33-metre gold plated Reclining Buddha. Although it looks very huge, it is not among the largest in the world. Even the Reclining Buddha at Wat Po in Bangkok is larger.

 photo P1220935_zps5adc6fd0.jpg

The Reclining Buddha actually represents the historical Buddha at his death. It is said that when Buddha knew his death was near, he laid there on the couch, reclining on his right side, with his head supported by his hand as he passed into nirvana.

 photo P1220938_zpsf1169734.jpg

Notice the half smile on his face? It shows the serenity that comes with enlightenment. In fact, the whole reclining position of the Buddha with its peaceful demeanour serves to remind us that we have the potential to attain enlightenment and freedom from the sufferings of the cycle of rebirths.

 photo P1220940_zps99a7f38b.jpg

The Reclining Buddha was so long it was a little difficult to take a photo of the whole statue. I walked round the Reclining Buddha and reached his feet.

 photo P1220942_zps0eb640d9.jpg

At the back side of the statue, I discovered that in fact, the Reclining Buddha is a columbarium housing niches containing ashes of the devotees.

 photo P1220944_zps987c8ebb.jpg

There were many Buddha statues in various postures at the columbarium.

 photo P1220945_zps9c2f9410.jpg

There is also a crematorium within the temple complex. Behind the temple is a small Thai village where the Thai community still lives and a Thai cemetery.

 photo P1220946_zps805de424.jpg

With the small Thai community there, Wat Chayamangkalaram is one of the few temples in Malaysia that stages Thai festivals like Loy Krathong and Songkhran.

 photo P1220948_zpse9600f72.jpg

 photo P1220949_zps83cdbb88.jpg

Having seen the Reclining Buddha, I stepped out of the temple again. I took this photo of the seven-headed serpents from the back.

 photo P1220952_zpse53b942b.jpg

A shot of the seven-headed serpent up close.

 photo P1220953_zpsf9d9d2c8.jpg

There is another building near the main temple building, although I am not sure what building this is.

 photo P1220954_zps9e7cd202.jpg

Anyway, I took some photos. These 3D murals look quite interesting.

 photo P1220956_zpsbb391cc7.jpg

 photo P1220957_zpsc42e9fde.jpg

The building has a chedi (stupa) next to it.

 photo P1220958_zps3bc1dbb9.jpg

Oh look at the sky! I hoped it would not rain as I needed to walk back to my hotel and I did not bring any umbrella with me. Yes, this temple and the Burmese Temple across the road are just within walking distance to Evergreen Laurel Hotel where I stayed.

 photo P1220960_zps82a37ace.jpg

And then I remember... I have not eaten lunch yet!! So it's not time to go back to my hotel just yet.

 photo P1220961_zpsb575f35e.jpg

As I left Wat Chayamangkalaram, I said a silent prayer asking for the rain not to fall so soon.

 photo P1220962_zps5dc2e2ef.jpg

And I think I got my prayer answered. Thank you!