Devotees from all over Petaling Jaya and Kuala Lumpur converged at the Chempaka Buddhist Lodge (CBL) at No.60 Jalan SS23/25, Taman SEA, Petaling Jaya to celebrate the Goddess of Mercy’s (also known as Kuan Yin or Guanyin) birthday on the 19th day of ninth Chinese calendar month which falls l on Sunday 9th August 2009.
The Goddess of Mercy's birthday is celebrated thrice annually - on the 19th day of the second, sixth and ninth Chinese calendar month.
Prayers were held at the Chempaka Buddhist Lodge (and in all Kuan Yin temples) which was filled to capacity with devotees chanting and offering lighted lotus candles, lamps, joss sticks, flowers and seeking blessings from Kuan Yin for good health, longevity, away from suffering and everything that devotees can thought of in their prayers.
Devotees offering prayers to Kuan Yin on her birthday at the Chempaka Buddhist Lodge in Taman SEA, Petaling Jaya.
A devotee made offering of flowers to Kuan Yin.
Devotees came to seek blessing, longevity and away from suffering.
The majestic statue of Kuan Yin standing on a lotus flower and in a white flowing robe will leave you breathless. On her left hand is a small vase pouring a stream of healing water and her right hand holds a willow branch. Kuan Yin is the Goddess of Mercy that represents compassion, love and kindness.
It is believed that the Goddess of Mercy, Kuan Yin looks almost life-like when you stared at the statue long enough.
Devotees lighting joss sticks in the prayer hall.
Burning incense joss-sticks are placed into a large urn of smouldering ashes.
Some of the food offerings for KuanYin at the altar.
Devotees held joss sticks in prayer to KuanYin.
Devotees light oil lamps as they offer prayers. Offering of light represents the light of wisdom.
A booth selling lotus-shaped candles
A devotee placed a lighted lotus-shaped candle on the rack to symbolize wisdom.
A booth selling fresh flowers as offerings to Kuan Yin.
Lots of smiling faces of children on Kuan Yin's birthday celebration.
A basin filled with water and decorated with flowers allowing devotees to take home the holy water for bathing.
Bathing the holy water is symbolic of the cleansing of devotees bad karma.
Hundreds of devotees thronged the main prayer hall of Cempaka Buddhist Lodge to celebrate Kuan Yin's birthday.
Devotees reciting holy scriptures at the main prayer hall during the chanting ceremony.
Vegetarian food are served as devotees are on strict vegetarian diet to cleanse themselves for the holy day.
A volunteer helping out in the kitchen preparing vegetarian food for devotees.
Devotees cleaning up their own plates after their meal.
The temple was built in the style of classic Chinese architecture with ornate curved-ridge rooftops made to look like ocean waves and supported by long pillars.
A marble status of a Laughing Buddha sitting atop the entrance to the administrative office of the Chempaka Buddhist Lodge, PJ.
A devotee paying respect to Lord Buddha.
A tortoise pond in the compund of Chempaka Buddhist Lodge, PJ.
One of few donation boxes at the Champaka Buddhist Lodge, PJ
The lions marble statues are placed with one standing on each side of the main entrance road leading to Chempaka Buddghist Lodge, PJ.
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1 comment:
lovely photos of the celebrations for quan yins birthday. Although i found it quite contridictory for images of miss malaysia and other models to be next to images of a goddess.
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