Malaysia - Kek Lok Si Temple (MY-13806)

It's my 1st official card from Malaysia :) It shows the Kek Lok Si Temple in Penang, Malaysia. I'm really interested in places of worship of any religion, because people have always been putting much effort to make their temples look beautiful and special. I haven't been to any Buddhist temple and I don't know much about Buddhism (of course, I have some theoretical knowledge, because I like reading about different beliefs, but I don't even know any follower of this religion), but I find it very interesting, even though I'm Christian myself.

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.

Mahayana Buddhism and traditional Chinese rituals blend into a harmonious whole, both in the temple architecture and artwork as well as in the daily activities of worshippers.

The construction of the temple began in 1890 and was inspired by the chief monk of the Goddess of Mercy Temple at Pitt Street. With the support of the consular representative of China in Penang, the project received the sanction of the Manchu Emperor Guangxu, who bestowed a tablet and gift of 70,000 volumes of the Imperial Edition of the Buddhist Sutras.

In 1930, the seven storey main pagoda of the temple or the Pagoda of 10,000 Buddhas, was completed. This 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.

MY-13806