6 Incredibly Stunning Big Buddha Statues in Malaysia!
Good food. Twin Towers. Beaches.
Unbeknownst to many, the richly diverse, multi-racial country of Malaysia is also home to many Buddhist gems!
With a little research, we found various temples which were not only architecturally stunning and culturally rich. But take a peak into the building (or not even!), and you’ll find some of the biggest statues in the region!
Mostly dotted across the Northern states, they continue to serve as spiritual homes to the Chinese Malaysian and Indian Malaysian community of the beautiful nation.
Feast your eyes on 6 of the tallest – largest – biggest statues in Malaysia!
Tsem Rinpoche
1. Wat Chayamangkalaram, Penang
The iconic Thai Buddhist temple was built in 1845 by a Theravadan monk from Malaysia’s neighbouring country, Thailand. The intricately-designed entrance of the temple is both structurally beautiful, as much as it is a spiritual gateway into the holy Buddhist temple grounds.
The main building houses a 33m (108 ft) gold-plated statue of a reclining Buddha. The posture represents the Buddha’s manifestation of His last illness, about to enter parinivara.
Laying on the right-side of His body, the reclining Buddha rests His head upon the palm of His hand which is supported by a cushion.
It may be interesting to note that the statue is the 3rd largest of its kind!
2. Phra Buddha Bharameedharm Chamruslok Temple (Wat Machimmaran), Kelantan
Measuring in at 30m tall and 47.5m wide (lotus base), the “Sitting Buddha” is the largest Buddha statue in a seated posture within South-East Asia.
The colourful temple is surrounded by coconut trees, and nestled within the paddy fields of the beautiful North-Eastern state of Malaysia, Kelantan.
Visitors generally comment how the access to Wat Machimmaran is a little difficult. However, because it is located away from the city and within nature, the temple is very conducive for meditation. Resident monks can be seen either studying the Buddha Dharma and/or deep in meditation.
Opening their doors for visitors and practitioners in 2000, it took almost 10 years for the temple to be completed!
The temple’s name was granted by the reigning King of Thailand, King Bhumibol Adulyadej in July of 1993. It means the “Light of the Buddha’s Dharma Enlightens the World”.
Fun fact: It is believed that the lips of the Buddha statue is coated with solid gold!
3. Wat Phothikyan (Polithivan), Kelantan
Within the same village as Wat Machimmaran is another Thai temple, Wat Polithivan, home to the 2nd largest reclining Buddha statue in South-East Asia.
Through public donation, as well as contributions from various Buddhist associations in Malaysia and Thailand, the building of the 40-meter long statue started in 1973 and was completed in 1979.
Surrounding the statue are murals and smaller statues. Placed in front is a Dharma wheel, and underneath and to the rear of the statue is a columbarium.
The temple has accommodation for both sangha members and visitors, and is frequently visited by Thai devotees living within the area. There is also Chinese Pavilion and a Tibetan-styled hall featuring a statue of an 18-arm Avalokiteshvara.
4. Kek Lok Si, Penang
You can’t visit Penang without being spell-bound by the local food, and paying a visit to Kek Lok Si.
Meaning the “Temple of Supreme Bliss” or “Temple of Sukhavati” (in the local Penang Hokkien dialect), Kek Lok Si is one of the largest Buddhist temples in South-East Asia. It also serves as an important pilgrimage spot for many within the region.
The architecture of the temple complex combines components from both Mahayana and Theravada Buddhism.
The temple consists of several buildings, including the beautiful 7-storey Pagoda of Rama VI, also known as the Pagoda of Ten Thousand Buddhas. King Rama VI of Thailand laid the foundation for the pagoda, which is now home to 10,000 alabaster and bronze statues of Buddha.
Located on the hillside above the pagoda is one of the largest Kuan Yin (Goddess of Mercy) statues in the world, surrounded by 100 2-meter Kuan Yin statues.
At 30.2m (99ft) tall, construction of the bronze statue of the Goddess of Mercy was completed in 2002. 7 years later, a 60.9m 3-teared octagonal roof pavilion was constructed to shelter the statue.
5. Chin Swee Temple, Pahang
On the way up to the entertainment hub, Genting Highlands, is a 28-acre Taoist temple.
Set within the lush green slopes of virgin forest, the temple took 18 years to complete as a manual construction labour approach was adopted. It was officially open on 29 March 1994, costing approximately RM12 million to construct.
The temple is dedicated to Saint Chin Swee, a monk from An Xi (Fujian Province of China) who lived in the Song Dynasty and committed himself to studying the Dharma.
There are several buildings within the temple grounds, including a vegetarian restaurant, accommodation for guests and sangha members, a 9-storey pagoda, the Ten Chambers of Hell and several other pilgrimage spots.
Take a walk on the temple grounds outside, and it’s hard to miss a 15-meter Buddha statue.
Located 4,600 ft above sea level, visitors of Chin Swee temple would agree that the terrain is difficult to build on. This only leaves Chin Swee as a testament that when there’s a will, there’s a way!
To read more about why Chin Swee is a must visit temple, continue reading here.
6. Dharmikarama Burmese Temple, Penang
We finish our list in Penang, home to many Chinese Buddhists, and to one of the most beautiful standing Buddha statues around.
Built in 1803, Dhamikarama Burmese Temple was the first Buddhist temple built in Penang. It remains as the only Burmese Buddhist temple located outside of Myanmar, and is built on the enclave of a road aptly named Burmah Lane.
For those planning a trip to Penang, it may be interesting to note that Wat Chayamangkalaram is located right opposite the temple!
According to the Penang locals, the temple was founded by two monks who walked from Myammar, through Thailand – only to find themselves settling on the island of Penang. One of the monks died of typhoid on their journey, and the other established the temple.
The temple land was donated by a Buddhist devotee named Nonya Betong who had purchased it from a British man for 390 Spanish Dollars. The temple grounds has a Bodhi tree, wishing pond, an accommodation for monks, and the most sacred building, the Sima Shrine Hall.
The old Sima hall was a historical building built in 1838, however with the growing number of visitors and devotees, a bigger building had to be constructed.
Instead of demolishing it, the building was moved to another location brick by brick, and replaced with a bigger hall in 1995!
Within the Sima Shrine Hall, stands a 7.6m (25ft) Buddha statue, which is currently covered in gold.
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Thank you, Rinpoche and the blog team to share with us various large Buddha statues in Malaysia. It is nice to know that Malaysians also appreciate large Buddha statues which are highly beneficial to the entire area where it is located.
One of the main reason for large Buddha statues to be built is to calm the land. Leishan Giant Buddha is one of the examples of an outdoor Buddha statue that is purposely created to calm the environment down. The Buddha statue is carved from a cliff and it depicts Maitreya Buddha who is very popular in China. The statue overlooks a river which has turbulent waters that caused alot of problem for shipping vessels that travels down the river. After the Buddha statue is being made, the water of the river did calm down. This is just one of the examples.
Large outdoor Buddha statues are also built to bless the sentient beings that reside in that area. Humans or animals that can see the statue will be planted with Dharmic imprints that will benefit them in their future lives when they are triggered. Unseen beings around the area will also be blessed and pacified by the Buddha statue. That is why having a large outdoor Buddha statue is very beneficial. The Chin Swee temple Buddha is most probably built for this reason because the roads near the temple are prone to accidents and there are alot of people lost their lives here.
Been a multi-racial country freedom of religion is enshrined in the Malaysian Constitution. Its not surprised to see so many beautiful Buddhist or Indian statues been built in Malaysia. Just in Malaysia we have six incredibly stunning Big Buddha Statues which is truly amazing. I have visited most of those Big statues except Wat Machimmaran, in Kelantan. Heard of the beauty of the “Sitting Buddha” which is the largest Buddha statue in a seated posture within South-East Asia. Wish I could visit this beautiful statue one day.
Thank you Rinpoche for this sharing.
I’m proud to know that there are so many big stunning Buddha statues in many parts of Malaysia. Wish i have the chance to visit these beautiful Buddha statues. Thank you very much Rinpoche and blog team for sharing these beautiful pictures and wonderful sites ??
We are so fortunate to have so many beautiful Buddha statues in Malaysia. I especially like the 30m tall Buddha in Kelantan. Give a very calm feeling looking at him. I have not been to Kelantan before. It’s amazing that the Buddha statue was granted by the King of Thailand. Hopefully will have a chance in the near future. Thank you Rinpoche for sharing.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this wonderful and holy places with the tallest, largest and biggest statues in Malaysia. Out of these 6 largest statues, I have visited for all except the only one, Wat Phothikyan (Polithivan) at Kelantan and hope it will be my next trip for it.
This is good for us to visit the temple with big Buddha statues which are full with energies to bless us and to remind us the qualities of the Buddha.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing these beautiful and magnificent Buddha statues. They are very beautiful! As a Buddhist, it’s really please to see that they are so many big Buddha statue across the country that Islam is their main religion. What really amaze is in Kelantan, the state that’s known as Muslims state, due to Kelantan has been governed by opposition PAS (an Islam party), has two stunningly big Buddha statue hidden and surrounded by mother nature. Personally, out of all the 6 Buddha statues, I have visited 4 of them. It’s different kind of experience when seeing such a big statue in real life. Hopefully I can visit the other two Buddha statues located in Kelantan some day. _/\_
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this article. I am quite surprised that Malaysia has so many big outdoor statues. I personally have been to the Kek Lok Si in Penang and Chin Swee Temple in Pahang. Little did I know that Kelantan, as an Islam state, has 2 big Buddha statues. I would personally love to go and visit this holy sites if I have the chance to visit the states.
With folded palms,
Vivian
Wow…so many beautiful..stunning statues..feeling proud…to know.Only visited a few but not all…will visit one day those at the northern states that is Kelantan…Happy to live in a multi racial country whereby there is religiuos freedom ..we can practice whatever we can..
Its blessing that we have all these beautiful statues in our country.Hoping more people will practice Buddhism and do more Dharma work…
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing about those stunning statues and history as well.
Big buddhas are always inspirational to look at and also it brings much peace to everyone. Thank you #Malaysia .
It’s great to have so many big Buddha in my home town Penang..
I visited the places since small… will visit it again…
And surprise there have 2 big Buddha in Kelantan… Muslim State…
Will take some time to visit all the Big Buddha in Malaysia…
Thanks Rinpoche for sharing…
It’s amazing how many large Buddha statues we have here in Malaysia, especially in Kelantan. We are very fortunate to be in a country that practices religious freedom.
Not only are these large Buddha statues a great blessing to the people who visit, they are also great blessings for the environment and the community at large. Spiritual destinations are one of the most popular sites for tourists around the world. People are always fascinated with cathedrals, temples, statues, holy relics, monasteries and so on because the care and love that’s been put into the creation is often awe-inspiring.
This is gonna sound weird, but I have never been to any of those temples, maybe Kek Lok Si when I was very very young because I don’t have a clear memory of seeing the huge Kuan Yin statue, it’s very majestic-looking. The statue gives people a very soothing feeling, she has a very compassionate smile.
We Malaysians are actually considered very lucky because we are allowed to practise whichever religion we’d like to without having afraid to face discrimination or segregation like what’s happening in Tibet now. It’s very unfair because every single human being has their rights and freedom of religion, no one has the authority to tell them to do otherwise.
I would really love to visit all these temples whenever I have the chance to, they are very well made or rather built.
I’m so proud Malaysia can have such nice, big Buddha statues! The ones in Wat Chayamangkalaram, Kek Lok Si and Dharmikarama Burmese Temple (all in Penang) bring back especially good memories of summer holidays in Penang. From a young age, I already had the fortune to be exposed to Buddha statues and prayers and temples and monks. I’m very fortunate to have grown up in an environment where my grandparents considered it ‘fun’ to take us to the temples and would indulge us whenever we demanded we wanted to go 😀 I guess they figured better for the children to be excited about going to the temple, than get excited about going to a shopping mall right?
Dear Pastor Jean Ai,
That is you in the picture with Rinpoche in the Dharmikarama Burmese Temple in Penang, right?
So far, I have only visited temples 3, 4 and 5 (Wat Phothikyan, Kek Lok Si and Chin Swee Temple). I wish I had the chance to visit the other temples in Penang during my next visit to Penang. I personally like Kek Lok Si very much, and I have visited quite a number of times. It has also become a tourist place (which is a good thing), because people will get blessed by the huge Kuan Yin, regardless. It is quite a nice walk up to the temple through some shops selling tourist items.
I pray a big statue will rise in our retreat centre, Kechara Forest Retreat, and make it to one of the stunning big Buddha in Malaysia.