Footsteps - Jotaro's Travels

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Footsteps - Jotaro's Travels

TANJUNG TOKONG TEMPLE

Tanjung Tokong, Penang, Malaysia - June 2014

During a quick cycling jaunt on Penang Island,I rode off to Tanjung Tokong to visit this temple. To many the "tokong" (temple in Malay) is the sea-side Tua Peh Kong Temple nearby. But for me who had been a resident of the area, this IS the temple after which Tanjung Tokong is named after. It is after all located at the foothills and is at a prominent and more visible location.

This Buddhist temple is officially known as the Heong Sun See Temple.

The road leading to the temple is Jalan Tanjung Tokong Lama. Interestingly, it is a Malay village area, with kampong style houses lining it.

To the right a ramp leads up to an annex. I am not sure of the significance of this ramp as inside, the annex looks more like a maintenance workshop. Perhaps, it is used to store chariots, palanquins, etc. for processions during festivals.

The roof of this side annex is adorned with phoenix at the sides and a mini-pagoda at the centre.

Side view of the annex roof shows elaborate curling ups at the gable ends. This is unique red curls are not frequently observed in temple roofs.

From the compound, wide red steps lead up to the main temple platform which is about twenty feet above.

Dragons over the main roof...

... and on the sides too.

At the eave of the side roof is a plaque with a nice blue lotus motifs.

A brass joss stick burner stands at the main centre doorway.

In most Chinese temples, stone lions guard the main doors. For this temple, porcelain elephants are the guards.

In the main prayer hall, a golden Kwan Yin statue sit atop the altar.

A closer look at Kwan Yin shows her sitting on a lotus whilst being attended by two hand-maidens.

To on side of the altar stands a Laughing Buddha carrying a large gold tael.

At the left annex is the office and a shop selling Buddhist memorabilia...

... like statues of Buddha and Kwan Yin.

And Many-Arms Kwan Yin Statues.

Dusk is coming, it's time to leave. Looking down at the compound, I noticed a yellow circle with four double-lined radiating arms. I wonder what this insignia stands for?
On the opposite side of the road is the new Tok Guru Mosque.

The Heong Sun See Temple may not be a large temple, but it was still a worthwhile visit.

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Footsteps - Jotaro's Travels

BODHI HEART BUDDHIST RETREAT

Mount Erskine, George Town, Penang, Malaysia - June 2014

During a quick cycling jaunt on Penang Island and whilst looking for a short-cut through the Mount Erskine cemetery, I chanced upon this Buddhist retreat called Bodhi Heart.

The best way to reach the sanctuary is from Jalan Mount Erskine via a road leading from the Mount Erskine cemetery which is shady and green. Taking a left turn will lead to the entrance of Bodhi Heart. I suspect that all this surrounding greenery is why the sanctuary is located here.

Just at the left of the entrance gate is a nicely landscape rubble wall with their signage on it. With potted ferns on top, and thin bamboo and other ferns surrounding it, it hints a retreat amidst nature inside.

At the entrance, the road leading further into the sanctuary looks like that leading into a Japanese park; clean, quiet, peaceful and green. It's a gentle road for now and it tempted me to cycle much further in. It's a road that welcomes you and promises more.

Set on an 8-acre piece of land on a hilly slope with a good view of the Gurney Drive coast, Bodhi Heart has facilities to support it's intended purpose.