Kurauking's Journal

“Health is the highest gain and contendment is the greatest wealth. Overcome anger with loving kindness, overcome evil by good. There’s no fire like lust and no crime like hatred.”…

Those are some sayings parable signboards hanging at Chetawan Buddhist Temple at Jalan Gasing, Petaling Jaya. Wesak, usually occurring in May, commemorates the birth, death and enlightenment of the Buddha. On this Wesak Day, i visited this Chetawan Buddhist Temple at Petaling Jaya. The Chetawan Temple, in Petaling Jaya start way back in 1956. It is the time when the then Malaya was on the verge of gaining independence that the idea of building a sizable buddhist Temple close to the federal capital of kuala Lumpur was first conceived.

Malaysia’s first Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman, promised the Thai Government to build a new temple. Two acres of land were donated for this purpose and the temple was completed by Thai craftsmen in 1962, and inaugurated in the same year by King Bhumipol and Queen Sirikit of Thailand.

Visiting the Wat or monastery gave the me the opportunity to discover the features of a temple compound as well as learning about the significance of the Buddha.

Certain features are found in this wat/temple compound:

* The Bodhi tree, the sacred fig tree under which the Buddha gained enlightenment.
* A Vihan or assembly hall.
* A bell and drum tower, used to call the monks to assemble and to announce their final daily meal taken before noon.
* There is also the Kuti, the monk’s quarters.
* And the Ubosot. This is the most important building in the compound; the exterior is marked by Bai Sema pillars at the eight cardinal points, indicating that it is consecrated ground. A ninth marker, the Luk Mimit, is placed under the main Buddha image inside the hall.

The Ubosot is the most stunning building in the compound and is decorated with gold and coloured miniature glass tiles, a triangular gable board and a multi tiered roof topped with what is known as a Chofa or sky tassel.

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Also within the grounds is a shrine for Goddess Kwan Yin, who is often described as the Goddess of Mercy and known as a Bodhisattva, one who turned away from enlightenment in order to use her wisdom to help others.

For more Pictures, Pls goto :- Klang Photo Gallery

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