Four places of worship

Managed to visit four religious centres during this Chinese New Year. First, it was the Nandaka Vihara in Cherok Tokun, Bukit Mertajam on the first day. While the dharma talks were going on in the old meditation hall, I was taking a stroll elsewhere on the grounds. Didn't stray too far, mind you, just to the newer meditation hall and their newly-constructed pavillion.

The original meditation hall. Devotees listening intensely to the dharma talks.

As usual, the place was thronged with Burmese ladies in their best Sunday attire.

A group of visiting monks from Myanmar

Until last year, this huge image of Kuan Imm
 dominated the main hall of this place of worship.

On the third day of Chinese New Year, visited the Triple Wisdom Hall in Pangkor Road and the Kuan Imm temple in Pitt Street, both located in George Town.

The Triple Wisdom Hall is like an oasis in the city. Clean and quiet. The main worship hall used to have a huge image of Kuan Imm but last year, the whole structure collapsed due to a termite infestation. The Kuan Imm statue has since been replaced with three other images - the Amitabha Buddha in the centre and flanked by two Bodhisattas, including Kuan Imm on the right. Note: As the Triple Wisdom Temple belongs to the Mahayana sect of Buddhism, we find the statues decorated more elaborately.

The main hall of the Triple Wisdom Hall today

As usual, the Kuan Imm Temple was packed with people - worshippers, tourists and the less privileged members of society. The latter would be waiting for handouts of red packets from the visitors. Because the public can no longer bring their lit joss-sticks into the temple building, it has become smoke-free and a more comfortable place to visit.

The main altar in the front hall

A priest waiting for worshippers who would wish to have some chantings done

A small, secluded garden at the back of the temple

On the fourth day, we felt that it was time to visit the Tua Pek Kong Temple in the vicinity of our neighbourhood. Normally, we would visit this temple on the first day itself after greeting in the New Year but this time, we decided to defer the visit. When we visited in the afternoon, we found the place almost deserted.