Buddha Jayanti Temple
Pudu, Kuala Lumpur

main entrance to the temple

If you are driving into Kuala Lumpur on the elevated expressway from Putrajaya you might have looked down on a hexagonal shaped temple guarded by a pair of golden statues and wondered what it was.  I did, and I went along to take a look.

side view of the hexagonal shaped temple.

Buddha Jayanti Temple is located in unfashionable Pudu district, where the scruffy end of Jalan Tun Razak meets Jalan Peel (a street named after a colonial administrator and former Governor of Hong Kong, Sir William Peel. Peel Rise, where I often used to walk in Hong Kong, was also named after him.)

inscribed foundation stone

Described as a Theravada Buddhist temple, it is a fairly modest construction, rather like a stunted pagoda. Although it is said to have been built in 1957, which makes it the same age as Malaysia, I note that there is a foundation stone next to the entrance which is inscribed 'The foundation of this building was laid by Y.T.M. Tunku Abdul Rahman Al Haj Prime Minister of Malaysia on 26th November 1966.'

golden Guan Yin statue

There are both Thai and Chinese Buddhist influences in its design and decoration.

mythical creatures, part tiger and part dragon

The large gold-coloured statues guarding the entrance are supposed to be Kylin (Qilin), Chinese mythical creatures sometimes described as tiger or lion bodies with dragon heads but other times as deer with horns and scales. Kylin are meant to have hooved feet like the one on the Kirin beer label whereas these statues have clawed feet. Whatever they are, they look imposing.

metal artowrk showing Buddha with disciples

The Buddha Jayanti Festival (which falls in April/May) is the most sacred day in the Buddhist calendar as it was the day on which Buddha was born, attained enlightenment and reached Nirvana (died) – a triple coincidence. On this festival, Buddhist devotees reaffirm their faith in the five precepts which are:

Not to take life
Not to steal
Not to lie
Not to consume liquor or other intoxicants
Not to commit adultery

They seem pretty good principles to me but how many people manage to comply with them all?

How to Get to Buddha Jayanti Temple

The location is marked on this map. Since my last visit a giant service residence tower block has been built next door called Continew Condominium.

Address: Wat Buddha Jayanti, 317-A, Jalan Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 50400

email: general.selangorbuddhistassn@gmail.com

Buddhist statues with new clothing offerings

When to Visit?

The temple is open daily 9am to 6pm.

Special events are held on Buddhist festivals throughout the year. These include:

  • The alms giving ceremony called Kathina, in October and November, when devotees offer new sets of robes to monks.
  • Songkran in mid-April is the Thai New Year holiday and at Wat Buddha Jayanti celebrations usually involve almsgiving to monks, lunch and pouring water on the Buddha statue and palms of the devotees.
  • The 10th month of the Thai Lunar Calendar pays tributes to deceased ancestors and is celebrated with traditional home made kuih snacks.
  • Wesak Day in May, a public holiday in Malaysia, usually includes a Buddhist flag raising ceremony, chanting, changing of Buddha Pha Sabai, candlelight procession, alms giving and meals.

To find more details of events and charitable activities at Buddha Jayanti Temple you can refer to the Facebook page of the Selangor Buddhist Association.

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