This is the official page of The Kek Lok Si Temple Penang.
这是槟城鹤山極樂寺的官方脸书。
The Kek Lok Si Temple (Penang Hokkien for "Temple of Supreme Bliss"; Simplified Chinese: 极乐寺; Traditional Chinese: 極樂寺) is a Buddhist temple situated in Air Itam in Penang and is one of the best known temples on the island. The Temple of Supreme Bliss that sits majestically at the hills of Ayer Itams is perhaps one of the remarkable gifts that Penang possesses today. It is like a name that closely related to history of Penang as a whole. Right now, it has became one of the top tourist attractions in Penang that is frequent by travelers all around the world. The History
Founded more than 100 years ago by benevolence Beow Lean, a devout Buddhist from Fujian province, the temple was once given the name of "Huock San" (Crane hill) due to the hills resemblance of crane spreading its wings
Perhaps benevolence Beow Lean were right when he envisioned setting up a monastery here so that Buddhist traditions will be widely known and accepted by the public. A man of passion can move a mountain but a man who is deeply devoted can carved one. It is the diligence, determination and devotion of benevolence Beow Lean that bring to the existence of Kek Lok Si and a retreat place of Buddhist tradition in Penang. Impressed by Beow Lean deep devotion of the teaching of Buddhism, the trustee of Kuan Yin Teng (Goddess of Mercy Temple) in Pitt Street, offered him the position of Chief Monk in which he gladly accepted and at the same time he has been nominated as the first abbot of kek lok si. Between the year 1891 to 1905, constructions to build one of the greatest Buddhism temples in Malaysia has finally take shape that consist of series of monasteries, prayer halls, temples and beautiful landscaped gardens. Kek Lok Si Temple even received an imperial sanction Manchu Emperor Kwang Xi, who bestowed a tablet and gift of 70,000 volumes of the Imperial Edition of the Buddhist Sutras and some others relics that still exist today. A hand written scripts and calligraphy by His Majesty Emperor Kuang Xi and Empress Cixi of the Ching Dynasty has also been presented to the temple. As of today, these priceless heritage relics still exist in the temple archives. The Attractions
The main attraction of the Kek Lok Si Temple is of course the impressive and striking Pagoda of Rama VI which was completed in the year 1930. It is known to be laid by the Thai Monarch himself. Widely known as Wan Fo Pau Ta or "The Pagoda of 10, 000 Buddhas", The Pagoda displays a collection of Alabaster and Bronze Buddha and it also contains a Chinese octagonal base with middle tiers of the Thai architecture and is tapped with a Burmese Temple crown. And towering over one hundred feet and seven storeys high, The Pagoda is currently the largest of its kind in Malaysia. At the Kek Lok Si Temple ground, it contains beautiful gardens and sacred pond. One of the famous ones will be of course "The Liberation Pond" (Sacred Turtle Pond). Chinese tradition believes that a turtle is a symbol of longevity, strength and endurance. It is an act of spiritual liberation when a turtle is captured and set free in this pond. Another interesting view that you can see there will the supreme statue of The four heavenly kings. Sited in the Hall of the Devas (Tian Huang Dian), each of the Mighty Kings controls one of the four points of the compasses. The Heavenly Kings consist of Kwang Mu (Guardian of the West), Tou Wen (Guardian of the North), Ch'i Kuo (Guardian of the East) and lastly Tseg Chang (Guardian of the South). Sitting at the center of The Heavenly Kings are the statue of Maitreya (The Laughing Buddha). It represents the center of the universe that brings happiness, hope and prosperity to the people. The latest additions to the temple complex include the reconstruction / refurbishment of the huge 30.2 m bronze statue of the Greatly Compassionate & Sagely Kuan Yin Avalokitesvara, the completion of the Guan Tong Great Hall, the Aghast Hall and the installation of an Incline Lift to the statue of Kuan Yin. The Kuan Yin statue was completed and opened to the public end of 2002. If you want to get a close-up look of the Kuan Yin statue, look for the signs of the "Incline Lift" that can brings you there. It is an elevated box sized lift mounted on rails. The Unforgettable View
When you have the opportunity to visit Kek Lok Si during the Chinese Lunar New Year on the month of Jan or Feb, you will get to see the glittering and sparkling Buddhist temple that cannot be found in another place. This is the period where the whole temple if filled with beautiful lantern that light up the hills during the night. It is like you are in a city that comes alive during the night.
极乐寺建于1893年，寺庙依山而建，占地12公顷。
极乐寺的建设由当时任椰脚街广福宫的主持妙莲老和尚所启发。妙莲老和尚原本来自福建涌泉寺，他曾于1885年到槟城州筹募基金修建福州龟山法堂。2年后，出任椰脚街广福宫的主持。槟城极乐寺最先建立的是大士殿，5年后相继增建天王殿、大雄殿、藏经阁、东西客堂及放生池等。
1930年, 极乐寺内楼高7层的万佛塔正式建成。此塔的底部，中部和顶部分别采纳了中国，泰国和缅甸寺庙的设计，综合了3国寺庙的建筑风格。2002年, 一座30.2公尺高的观音铜像建成。2009 年，观音八角亭建成隆重开光。
