Dharmikarama
Burmese Temple is the only Burmese Buddhist temple outside Myanmar. Located in
Georgetown Penang, it stands opposite Wat Chayamangkalaram Temple, with a pair
of large stone elephants flanking the front gates. Inside the pagoda grounds is
a Boddhi tree, a wishing pond and apartments for monks.
Devotees
have contributed many statues of Buddha, so his serene-faced image can be found
at almost every corner in different meditation poses. The walkways have a
series of panels with beautiful murals depicting scenes of the journey of
Prince Siddharta (dressed in typical Burmese fashion) achieving Nirvana and
becoming Buddha.
Dharmikarama
Burmese Temple History
Built
in 1805, one of the most notable features found in the Dharmikarama Burmese
Temple are two Panca Rupa (guardian protectors of the world) images, which
stand over a globe. These mystical creatures are said to be the masters of
water, land and air respectively and have the head of a lion, trunk of an
elephant, body of a fish, wings of the mystical Garuda, ears and hooves of a horse,
and the horns of a deer.
The
first Buddhist temple in Penang, the Dhammikarama Burmese Buddhist Temple is
one of two major Buddhist temples located within the Theravada Buddhist co-op
on Burma Lane. It was built on land donated by a Buddhist devotee known as
Nyonya Betong.
The
temple is at its busiest during festivals such as Wesak Day as well as Thankyan
(Water Festival) in April – a celebration similar to Thailand’s Song kran
festival, in which devotees splash water at each other and pay respect to
elders.
As
with any house of worship in Malaysia please remove your shoes before entering
the Dharmikarama Burmese Temple: place your shoes along with the rows of others
on the steps leading up to certain prayer halls. The cheapest way to get to
Dharmikarama Burmese Temple from Komtar or Lebuh Chulia, is to hop on board
TransitLink bus #202, Minibus 26, 31 and 88 or Hin Bus #93.
Opening
Hours: 05:00 – 18:00
Address:
24 Lorong Burmah, 10250 Penang
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