Kek Lok Si Temple to put sacred items from Sri Lanka on display for pilgrims

Religious reverence: (From right) Seck, temple abbot Venerable Xian Guan and Ooi looking at the stupa model of the Mahabodhi Temple in India after the press conference.

THE Kek Lok Si Temple in Air Itam, Penang, will soon receive two Buddha relics from Sri Lanka.

The bone relics were acquired from the Rangiri Ulpata Rajamaha Viharaya temple at the Trincomalee district in Sri Lanka via an arrangement by the World Buddhist Sangha Council.

Former Kek Lok Si Temple abbot Datuk Seri Seck Jit Heng said he would be leading a delegation to Sri Lanka to receive the sacred relics on April 21.

“We expect to return to the Penang International Airport in Bayan Lepas with the relics on April 25 at around 5pm.

“There will be an installation ceremony at 9am the next day.

“It will also be attended by the World Buddhist Sangha Council president Venerable Liao Chung,” he told a press conference at the Kek Lok Si Temple.

Seck said there were plans to erect a 60m stupa to house the relics near the temple pagoda.

He said the stupa would be modelled on the ancient Mahabodhi Temple in Bohdgaya, India.

“We will submit our plans to the state government for approval.

“Once the stupa to house the relics is ready and put on display, it will become an attraction for Buddhist pligrims from all over the world,” he said.

Temple trustee Datuk Steven Ooi said devotees and members of the public were welcome to attend the installation ceremony and catch a glimpse of the relics.

For enquiries, contact the Kek Lok Si Temple at 04-8283317/04-8288653 or email [e-mail].