When my husband and I visited Penang detailed in this post, I described many of the sites that we visited. One site listed as a “must-see” was the Goddess of Mercy Chinese Temple. Located in Georgetown on Penang Island, the Goddess of Mercy Temple is one of the oldest Chinese temples in Penang, built in 1800. The Goddess of Mercy Temple, also known as ‘Kuan Yin Teng’ in Hokkien dialect, honors Kuan Yin, a devout Buddist. Kuan Yin was said to have attained the coveted state of Nirvana but instead chose to remain on earth to provide guidance and help to others who are striving to reach Nirvana. When I first spotted the temple, it looked as if it was burning down, as I watched smoke billowing out from the inside. As I walked closer, I realized the smoke was from the sandalwood incense being burnt by devotees who visit the temple to pray and seek guidance from Kuan Yin. Suddenly, I heard the overpowering sound of chirping little birds. Not sure what to expect, I noticed hundreds of birds in cages sitting right outside the temple. Without a sign or reason to explain why these birds were placed in this location, I stood there to watch a father and his children approach the cages.
The kids watched closely as their dad approached the bird vendor and purchased a cage filled with two birds. The children were in awe as they listened intently to their father explain the meaning behind the birds and what they were about to do…release them. Releasing birds from their cage is meant to obtain good merit as it signifies new life, freedom and the end of suffering. This is similar to Buddha’s preaching in attaining Nirvana. See the pictures below as the children and their father reinact this old Buddist tradition.
the birds flying away in the distance…
Pingback: Travel-Malaysia | Wrinkled Chiffon
Cool post! Thx for sharing!