Pulau Tikus

March 13th, 2008 at 21:50 · Filed Under Buddhism, Holidays, Malaysia, Penang, Photography, Scenery · Comment 

Pulau Tikus (Rat Island) is neither an island nor an area infested by rats. It is a name of a place on Penang Island which is said to be named after the actual Pulau Tikus Isle. Despite of its name, it is one of the upper class neighborhood with many mansions, bungalows and colonial buildings, and many high-end condominiums such as those along Gurney Drive.

We went to the Burmese and Siamese Buddhist Temples in Pulau Tikus after visiting Kek Lok Si. Although it is one of the tourist spots, one still can find serenity at both temples comparing to Kek Lok Si. These photos are taken at the Siamese Buddhist Temple which is situated directly opposite of the Burmese Buddhist Temple.


Two high-end condominiums in the background.


The two guardians outside of the temple.


The sleeping Buddha.

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Kek Lok Si

March 13th, 2008 at 21:49 · Filed Under Buddhism, Holidays, Malaysia, Penang, Photography, Scenery · 4 Comments 

Kek Lok Si (or 极乐寺 in Chinese) is a Buddhist temple situated on a hill in Air Hitam in Penang. It is the best known Buddhist temple on the island and possibly the whole Malaysia. My last visit was more than 10 years ago with LA when I was giving talks at USM (Universiti Sains Malaysia).

We climbed up to the temple from the foot of the hill via a passage surrounded by souvenir stores. Sad to say, along the passage way, I saw garbage and many deserted stores. This is an awful site to this famous tourist spot on this pearl of orient.

Nonetheless, the temple is quite well maintained and many beautifying and expansion project are being carried out. IMO, the temple is rather too commercialized. Everywhere money, money, money. Encouraging tourists and Buddhist visitors to donate or buy stuff, good for the island economy (and the temple) but it is overdone. It is no exception in this materialistic world the temple has to seek financial for its survival and continue expansion and beautification to lure tourists. Sad, isn’t it?


The Goddess of Mercy and her two guardians on both side (photos below).

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I am a buddhist

January 25th, 2008 at 20:10 · Filed Under Buddhism · Comment 

I am a buddhist. And my family are buddhists. Although I regard buddhism as a philosophy and education system, my family and I are true buddhists. The beauty of buddhism is that it is a peaceful religion and away from politics.

I am very comfortable with the buddhism I am following now and there is no need to change my religion. And I will never change to other religion.

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People come and go

January 17th, 2007 at 23:04 · Filed Under Buddhism, Days in My Life, General · Comment 

When I look again at my Happy New Year 2007 post here, it struck me again about “People come and go”. Who are we? No one will give a goddamn care about us (except our family), especially those who do not know us. When I look at the picture of Angie and the pictures at her website here, it is as though she were still alive. Her lights still shine like the twinkling stars in the night sky.

I can understand why some people will do something great so that they can leave behind for generations to know about them.

Sigh! That’s life. We are nothing but only a capitalization sapheads for corporation and government. We are worthless unless we have something great to leave behind. Like Buddha, he left behind his great philosophy but after three thousand years, there are so many deviation and fraternities. I wonder people are still remembering the true teaching of Buddha?

i always wanted to write about Buddhism and to finish my article about Buddhism but I never find time for it. I don’t know why I will write about Angie, life and Buddhism today. Although this is a short post, I believe it will be a good beginning.

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