Fo Guang Shan Dong Zen Temple 2013

About:

FGS is founded by Grand Master Hsing Yun in 1967, a popular Buddhist monk and scholar with the headquarter in Kaoshiung, Taiwan. His aims are to promotes Humanistic Buddhism, integrating the Buddha's teachings philosophy of kindness, compassion, joyfulness and equanimity into practise.

Presently, Fo Guang Shan has over 200 branch temples worldwide.

Dong Zen Temple is solely managed by Fo Guang Shan Malaysia. Guided by the objectives and principles of Fo Guang Shan, the Malaysian chapter expanded considerably. At last count, there are seventeen Fo Guang Shan centres in Malaysia, namely Klang, Ipoh, Sentul, Sekinchan, Telok Panglima Garang, Seremban, Bahau, Petaling Jaya, Penang, Kuantan, Kuala Lumpur, Cheras, Johor Bahru, Kota Kinabalu etc

The words FGS(佛光山) in Chinese translate literally means “the Mountain of Buddha’s Light”.

Location:

Fo Guang Shan (FGS) Dong Zen Temple is located at Sungai Jarom, Jenjarom, Kuala Langat, Selangor.
It was founded in 1994, sits on an area of 22 acres.

The folks of FGS Dong Zen Buddhist Temple set foot in the village in the midst of such an unwanted reputation after a generous local here donated a two-acre piece of land in 1987.

Jenjarom, a village located in Selangor, about 55 km west of Kuala Lumpur in the Kuala Langat district.The village is predominantly Chinese Hokkien have benefits from the tourism brings to Jenjarom. FGS has attracted millions of visitors and devotees over the years. Tourists flocked to this once sleepy village change the face of Jenjarom folks forever.

Jenjarom was one of the approximately 400 ‘New Villages’ created under the Briggs Plan during the Malayan Emergency to resettle Chinese squatters and isolated them into a protected settlement where their comings and goings could be closely monitored. This successful effort cut the lifeline of foods and medical supplies for guerrillas in the jungle.

Map to Dong Zen Temple

I find this huge signboard to the FGS Temple on your right near the Police Station to be out of position,  it should be placed so it remain visible from a distance- this one if you come from left side you may missed it.

FGS is not merely a temple but rather a large Buddhist religious institute, cultural and educational complex with a main shrine which houses a big Buddha image.

The annual CNY Lantern and Flora Festival event has got different theme for every CNY celebration which started at the eve of new year and continue for 17-18 days. This year commence from 8th February - 24th February 2013. Opening hours are from 10.30am to 10pm.

The theme for this year is “Mucalinda Protecting the Buddha”, a well-known legend about the king of the great serpents, Mucalinda cobra came out, coiled his body seven times around the Buddha to keep him warm and dry by placed his huge hood arched over the Buddha’s head to protect him from the torrential rain.

Awesome Cobra Protected Buddha

I went to Fo Guang Shan Dong Zen Temple on the 5th day of CNY lunar calender with my family, we reached there in the afternoon but I still find it hard to find a parking spot. In the late evening it will be even harder as many came to see this place which will transformed FGS temple into a colourful delightful glistening lantern decorations like a magical wonderland.

FGS Floor plan

Just entering from the parking bay at the FGS temple, we were greeted by this tall cute Snake lantern,
my preference is they should use the “Mucalinda Protecting the Buddha” instead

One of the 18 statues of Arhats and 33 statues of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva 

Shhh.....Artist at Work

Ji Mei poses in one of the trick art booth

Accomplice in an attempt to break-out 

Nighttime colourful paper umbrellas will be illuminated

 FGS practises the 'Think Green Concept', using recycle plastic bottles decorations
to do their bid for green  environment.

Sort of wishing well but only 6 choices, now start tossing your coin into
 your preferred choice

We visited the temple for an auspicious start to the new year and to seek divine blessings. My Mum, Sister, Brother in Law and his eldest daughter took time pray to God by chanting of sacred verses at the main hall which features a large seated Buddha image. They chant “Amituofo,” Chinese for Amitabha Buddha.

I was rather disappointed with so few people were interested in the prayer at the main prayer hall, why so few peoples here? Do all these people come here for Sight-seeing only? Where have all the 'Buddisht faith' gone?

During the day time, there will be cultural and educational activities like national book fair, vegetarian street, Dharma talks, lion and dragon dances and costume parade.

In the book fair-image behind kinda looks like  Grand Master Hsing Yun

My niece trying to imitate one of three little monks delivering a message each to us by
 hand gesture  Do Good Things, Speak Good Words and lastly , Think Good Thoughts

Cute little monks statue collect alms

While visiting the temple, I found some people lack of simple etiquette for visiting Buddhist temples:

1. Common courtesy- Leave your mobile phone or be sure to turn it off before entering the main prayer hall.
2. Please treat it with utmost respect while entering the main prayer hall - After bowing to the Buddha, silently take a seat and while waiting for the chanting session to begin.
3. Do not take photographs inside the prayer hall. Don't treat it like a tourist spot, you're entering a holy sacred place.
4. When entering the main prayer hall, please ensure your clothing is well covered, in other words, not to reveal too much skin/flesh.
5. Why do people let their kids roam around the hall, treating the place like a playground.
6. Please do not wear any jewelry that makes noise, bracelet with little bells on the ends- it can be very distracting to others.
7. While seating on the floor, it is considered disrespectful to point the soles of one’s feet toward a Buddha image. While sitting, cross your legs.
8. Removed the shoes before entering the prayers hall, I don't think I have to remind this but what I need to remind is to place your shoes in the shoe rack, don't treat it like your own home. Don't leave your shoes scattered all over the floor. FGS also provide some sort of disposable polypropylene shoe cover to wear.

9. Do not block the middle prayer hallway leading to the Buddha image. Think of it as when you're taking a photo someone blocking your view. To cordon off areas FGS should use more practical method like plastic post and chain barrier instead of having someone to chase away those people lack of intuition.

OF BUDDHA

Little boy, please use the side door

10. Baby's stroller - I'm not sure this should be allowed inside, unlike for those who needed the wheelchair service.

Vague instruction- correct me if I'm wrong but it should be written as- If you do
 not wish to remove your shoes please use the shoes cover provided

I didn't wait until the lantern lights came on as it takes another 3 hours before it turn dark. Wait, it is turning dark, not due to night time but a storm is coming. I gotta go but I plan to come back next year and this time we plan to stay overnight as next year is special, the year of Horse - my zodiac animal sign!

A Storm Is Coming