Three golden Buddha statues each weighing a ton. Imagine that for a second as we stand outside the Kun Yam Thong Temple. This temple offers an oasis of calm. It stands on busy Jalan Ampang.
Kun Yam Thong Temple is also known as Dharma Realm Guan Yin Sagely Monastery. It has been on this site since 1880. The Dharma Realm Buddhist Association took it over in 1993. Venerable Master Hsuan Hua founded the association in 1959.
Before 2006 this place was called Deng Bi An Temple. Deng Bi An means Ascending the Other Shore. In 2006 it reopened as Kun Yam Thong Temple after renovations. Kun Yam Thong means Guan Yin’s Hall. It is named after Guan Yin. She is the Goddess of Mercy.
Inside Kun Yam Thong Temple is a statue of Guan Yin with 1000 arms and 1000 eyes. The temple is near the Golden Triangle. You can reach it by monorail light rail transit or bus.
At the entrance hall are statues. These depict Maitreya Bodhisattva Wei Tuo Bodhisattva and the Four Heavenly Kings. In the main hall is a golden statue of Guan Yin. It has a Thousand Hands and Eyes. There are golden statues of Amitabha Buddha Shakyamuni Buddha and Medicine Master Buddha too.
Statues of the 18 Arhats are high on the walls. A golden statue of Venerable Master Hsuan Hua is in an adjoining hall. There is also a Medicine Master Buddha statue in the Long Life Hall. The Rebirth Hall contains a statue of Earth Treasury King Bodhisattva. The upper floor has golden statues of the three Sages of the West.
The large Great Jewelled Hall is peaceful. It measures 100 feet long and 70 feet wide. The hall features a giant altar. On top of the altar are the three golden Buddha statues. These are Shakyamuni Buddha Medicine Master Buddha and Amitabha Buddha.
A gilded Earth Store Bodhisattva statue was made in Putian China. It is in Fujian Province. At the rear is a 500-seat dining area. It serves vegetarian lunches from 11am to 2.30pm. The food is low priced healthy and delicious. The restaurant does not use MSG. Business people and tourists enjoy the tasty meals. They cost around RM5 to RM10.
On the 1st and 15th days of each lunar month food is free. It is for the needy from 7.30am to 2.30pm. The temple also has a library and bookstore. You can take some books for a donation.
Deng Bi An Temple used to be a syncretic Chinese temple. That means it mixed folk Taoism and Chinese Buddhism. Cundi Bodhisattva is still venerated. She is on the Guan Yin altar. Two Dharma guardians used to stand beside Cundi Bodhisattva. They now flank the Buddha’s altar.
Facing the Guan Yin altar is a prayer hall. The main altar houses the three Buddhas. Guan Di and Wei Tuo are guardian bodhisattvas. Each Buddha weighs a ton.
In a small room there is a statue of Ven. Hsuan Hua. He founded the Dharma Realm Buddhist Association. There are side halls. One is for Baishajya Guru Buddha. The other is for Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva. The vegetarian food canteen is popular. It serves healthy natural food without MSG.
Kun Yam Thong Temple stands as a testament to peace. It is a place of calm in the chaotic city. It truly represents stepping onto the other shore.