Kek Lok Si means "Temple of Supreme Bliss." It's located in the hills, inland, surrounded by thick, green jungle. We took a cab there in the morning and avoided the dreaded climb that those who take the bus must contend with.
I took a peek out to the surrounding hills from the front gate. All jungle except for one cleared section which has been terraced for planting.
It's probably more appropriate to call this a temple complex. It's huge and still growing. Started in 1896, the first sections were completed 9 years later. In 1930 the main pagoda, called the "Pagoda of the 10,000 Buddhas" was completed. Then, in 2002, a 120 foot bronze statue of Guan Yin was finished. Guan Yin is the bodhisattva of compassion. Starting in 2005 and still ongoing is the building of an ornate shelter to shield Guan Yin from the elements.
Inside the Temple of the 10,000 Buddhas I marveled at the ceiling. It was more ornate and colorful than this photo suggests. According to Wikipedia "the 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 this part of the world, the swastika remains a positive symbol. It dates back thousands of years and comes from the Sanskrit work svastika - "to be good." Unlike the Nazi version, those in SE Asia have a counter-clockwise orientation. It's a symbol of good luck.
In every building on the grounds there was at least one, if not many, shrines.
Guan Yin is the main attraction, though. She is on top of the hill and you can either hike 2 kilometers or take a 30 second funicular ride. You know the choice we made, it's frigging hot out. She's huge. Approximately the size of a 12 story building and made entirely of bronze.
This is a wishing tree. You pay a dollar to buy a ribbon upon which you write a wish or prayer. You then tie it to this tree.
From the top of the complex you can see clear back to town and beyond.
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