Friday, August 23, 2019

DATO SRI MAJOR DR EDMUND GOH TOOK DATO KEE HUA CHEE TO HATYAI IN SOUTHERIN THAILAND TO THE CELEBRATED HATYAI HOLY HILL TO PRAY TO BUDDHA. KUAN YIN AND THE PANTHEON OF GODS SO THEIR MOTHERS WILL LIVE LONG AND HEALTHY AND DEDIONE KEE, SON OF DATO KEE HUA CHEE WILL ALSO HAVE A HAPPY LIFE. PART OF THE PLEASURE WAS THE LEISURELY DRIVE IN A LUXURIOUS PEOPLE MOVER THAT TOOK 7 OR SO HOURS

KEE@FSWMAG.COM

PHOTOS BY CANON POWERSHOT SX 720 HS


 DATO SRI EDMUND GOH AND DATO KEE HUA CHEE PAYING RESPECTS TO KUAN KUNG THE MARTIAL AND LITERARY GOD
 PRAYING IN FRONT OF KUAN KUNG THE POWERFUL WARRIOR AN DLITERARY GOD
 DATO SRI EDMUND GOH AND DATO KEE  HUA CHEE IN FRONT OF KUAN YIN THE GREAT GODDESS OF MERCY
 DATO KEE HUA CHEE AND DATO SRI EDMUND GOH INSIDE MOUTH OF GOLDEN DRAGON AS ENTERING THE MOUTH OF A DRAGON AND EMERGING TRANSLATES INTO GREAT GOOD LUCK
 DATO SRI EDMUND GOH AND DATO KEE HUA CHEE PRAYING TO THE JADE EMPEROR 
 DATO SRI EDMUND GOH AND DATO KEE HUA CHEE IN FRONT OF BUDDHA AND HIS ACOLYTES
 STANDING AND PRAYING IN HOMAGE OF BUDDHA THE TRUE GOD 
  SEATED BEFORE BUDDHA THE ENLIGHTENED ONE AND MAY WE ATTAIN SUCH WISDOM 
 ERAWAN THE 3 HEADED ELEPHANT
 DATO SRI EDMUND GOH AND DATO KEE HUA CHEE 
 DATO SRI EDMUND GOH ORAYING INSIDE CHINESE TEMPLE 
MAY BUDDHA BLESS US ALL
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
**************************************
HATYAI MUNICIPAL PARK IS HOME TO THE SPECTACULAR HOLY STATUES OF BUDDHA, KWAN YIN, KWAN KUNG, 4-FACE BRAHMA, LAUGHING BUDDHA, ERAWAN THE 3-HEADED ELEPHANT AND OTHER DIETIES THAT GRACE THE HILL!

L1210660_edited.JPG

The Standing Buddha in the Vitarka Mudra stance denoting intellectual debate 
L1210660_edited.JPG
Kuan Yin and her 2 attendants below the Standing Buddha
L1210660_edited.JPG
The 4-Face Brahma above the statue of Erawan
L1210660_edited.JPG




Erawan the 3-headed Elephant
L1210660_edited.JPG
Kuan Kung holding his halberd in right hand and Dragon Stairs at right
L1210660_edited.JPG
Kee Hua Chee inside the Dragon's Steps holding its golden tongue

If you hear of a place with the unpalatable name of Hatyai Municipal Park, you will assume it is nothing more than a vast tract of land with flower beds, bamboo groves, scenic bridge or two over a manmade pond and the usual sad-looking canteens with dustbins made to resemble popular cartoon characters. Plus a children's playground with swings, see saws and benches for parents to wait till their kids are played out.


So I was pleasantly surprised and thoroughly impressed when Hatyai Municipal Park turned out to be more Hatyai Holy Hill which is a name I recommend to TAT and the local governing authorities! They should change the name to Hatyai Holy Hill (HHH) as this name reflects the religious stance of the hill. Also a park usually denotes flat land as in a botanic park or garden whereas Hatyai Municipal Park is quite steep and required my driver to use first gear all the time! 


On top of that, 'municipal' is a tongue-twister and not easy to pronounce. As for the spelling, even a super genius like me have to slow down (slightly!) to type the correct spelling!


On my way to Songkhla I already saw the stunning vision of the golden Standing Buddha from the main Hatyai-Songkhla highway and looked forward to visiting it on the way back.


In Buddhist hierarchy, the most important is Buddha and this Standing Buddha is around 20 metres, making it the tallest Buddha in southern Thailand. 


Called Phra Buddha Mongkol Maharaj, it weighs 200 tons and was made in 1999 to celebrate the King of Thailand's 6th Cycle Birthday Celebration which was his 72nd birthday.


With His right had raised with forefinger and thumb touching each other, this mudra denotes 'Intelligence, Intellect and Integrity'. Called Vitarka Mudra, this gesture is the sign of the Wheel of Law and as He gazes over Songkhla province, peace, order and harmony will prevail.


All the statues are located outdoors without any roof or cover. This openair location means they are exposed to the elements and incur a heavier maintenance since colours fade from the heat of the sun and hairline cracks must be repaired. However, I prefer the outdoor location as the brilliant blue sky and white clouds make a breathtaking background. 


I was gasping for breath as I took the photos of Kuan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy against the backdrop of dramatic clusters of clouds amid an azure sky that makes her appear as if she has just descended from heaven to bless us. I worship all the gods and deities but I pray particularly to Buddha and Kuan Yin.


The statues of the golden Standing Buddha and pure white Goddess of Mercy are a quick drive from each other. Kuan Yin's shrine is still under construction though her main statue and those of her 2 attendants are completed. 


Her 2 attendants are called Golden Boy and Jade Girl or Lung Nu the Dragon Maiden and Shang Sai the Celestial Youth. After Kuan Yin taught the Dharma and religious scriptures to the Dragon King, he sent his daughter to offer her a Flamming Pearl. The girl was so enraptured by Kuan Yin she begged to be her disciple and was accepted and became Dragon Maiden. The Celestial Youth was a novice monk who studied Buddhism from 53 Boddhisattvas and Kuan Yin was the 28th. 


He too asked to be her disciple. To test his sincerity, Kuan Yin conjured a band of robbers who chased her till she jumped off a cliff. Without hesitation, Shang Sai also leaped off the mountain to follow her. Being a mortal he crashed to the ground and died.  Kuan Yin then welcomed his soul and showed him his battered corpse as they floated in the sky. Now freed from the constraint of mortal flesh, he was able to accompany the Goddess of Mercy  eternally.


At ground level below Kuan Yin is the larger than life statue of Kuan Kung, another very popular and much worshipped in southern China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Southeast Asia. Many Chinese restaurants and small business devote a shrine to him as he is also the God of Business. Another title he carries is God of War though in his case, 'war' refers to brotherhood, courage and righteousness as Kuan Kung is mentioned in the great novel 'Romance of the Three Kingdoms'. 


He died in 219 AD and was deified during the Sui dynasty (581-618) and was referred as 'Saintly Emperor Kuan' and regarded as emperor though he never ruled a kingdom.


In 1614 the Wanli emperor bestowed the grand title of 'Saintly Emperor Guan the Great God who Subdues Demons of the Three Worlds and Whose Strength Spreads Far and Moves Heaven'!


I have never seen a gigantic statue of Erawan the 3 Headed Elephant and vehicle of the god Indra until I visited Hatyai Municipal Park. 


Erawan is truly awesome with his 3 heads, 6 tusks and 1 body. His heads arch skywards and as I walked towards the Brahma shrine, I had to walk under him and looking up at his majestic body was truly humbling. I could just visualise Erawan flying through the heavens carrying Indra.


Indra is the Hindu god of war, weather and thunderstorms. His weapon is the thunderbolt or vajra. In a celebrated battled against the demon Vitra, Indra promised not to attack Vitra with anything made of metal, stone or wood nor anything that was dry or wet or during day or night. Vitra was satisfied with these conditions which appeared to cover everything so he should be totally safe!


Alas, in this kalpa, not everything is as it seems. The ingenious Indra used foam from seawaves and killed Vitra at twilight which is neither day or night! 


Erawan is always associated with the 4-Face Brahma and in Bangkok, possibly the most famous shrine is dedicated to the 4-Face Brahma which is slightly smaller than life-sized. Here I clambered up a flight of steps to worship a large statue of Brahma, totally clad in  gold. As Indra is supposed to be golden also, Brahma can also be seen as a manifestation of Indra.


Brahma is one of the tripartite of gods together with Vishnu and Shiva, rather similar to the Holy Trinity of Jesus Christ, the Father and Holy Ghost!


Brahma is the Creator, Vishnu the Preserver and Shiva the Destroyer. Most Buddhists pray to Brahma and even Erawan the 3-headed elephant. 


Near Brahma shrine is a tall cage from which firecrackers are lit which produces the familiar firecracking sound we used to hear during Chinese New Year. Indeed at the back of the cage is a mini mountain of spent firecrackers!


As I returned to my luxury coach, I passed the larger than life statue of Kuan Kung holding his halberd or spear in his right hand. This is important as triads, secret societies and gangsters also worship Kuan Kung but his statues carry this weapon in his left hand! Even the underworld has its own perverse code of conduct!


Nearby is something I would like to have for my staircase----one shaped as a dragon with mouth wide open! The dragon's mouth is so cavernous it acts as a tunnel for visitors to walk up and down! Its tongue is artfully crafted onto the steps and the entire structure looks very dramatic if slightly nerve wrecking. 


The more delicate feng shui believers might think twice about literally entering and walking straight into a dragon's jaws! However, any fear is mitigated by what awaits once you climb the short flight of steps---a huge figure of Laughing Buddha. So laugh away your fears and enter the dragon's parlour so to speak and make your way to the garden beyond the dragon's snarling fangs to greet Laughing Buddha!


Hatyai Municipal Park is 6 km from Hatyai city and easily accessible. There is also a cable car from the base to the top for those in Jimmy Choo high heels.


L1210660_edited.JPG

The Golden Standing Buddha with his hand in the Vitarka Mudra gesture that denotes intellectual discussion as this sign of forefinger touching thumb symbolises the Wheel of Law
L1210660_edited.JPG
A wind blows out this royal flag just for me
L1210660_edited.JPG
L1210660_edited.JPG
L1210660_edited.JPG L1210660_edited.JPG 
Kee Hua Chee, a Boddhisattva, paying homage to Buddha

L1210660_edited.JPG
L1210660_edited.JPG
View of Standing Buddha reflected on the back glass window of my luxury coach!

L1210660_edited.JPG
L1210660_edited.JPG
L1210660_edited.JPG
View of Hatyai from the peak

L1210660_edited.JPG
Kuan Yin and her 2 attendants Golden Boy and Jade Girl are in white to denote her purity
L1210660_edited.JPG
L1210660_edited.JPG
As Buddha is the absolute god, Kuan Yin is located on lower part of the hill in accordance to hierarchy

IMG_3553_edited.JPG
L1210660_edited.JPG
In honour of Kuan Yin, Kee Hua Chee also wore white to denote his purity and sincerity though he is nowhere as pristine as the Goddess of Mercy
L1210660_edited.JPG 
Even the sky turns a shade more azure and the clouds gathered to form auspicious shapes in recognition of Kee Hua Chee's visit to pay homage to his patron goddess

L1210660_edited.JPG
Kuan Kung the mighty God of War, God of Business and God of Education holds his halberd in his right hand. The underworld also worships him but the gangsters and triads worship statues of Kuan Kung holding his halberd in his left arm!

L1210660_edited.JPG
Kuan Kung with Dragon's Steps
L1210660_edited.JPG
The Dragon's Steps leading to Laughing Buddha

L1210660_edited.JPG
L1210660_edited.JPG
L1210660_edited.JPG
The first look at Erawan as this is the way to Brahma Shrine

L1210660_edited.JPG 
This is the first time I have ever seen a huge statue of Erawan

L1210660_edited.JPG
Note the smaller, lifesized statue of a normal elephant at the top of the balcony

L1210660_edited.JPG
L1210660_edited.JPG
L1210660_edited.JPG 
Kee Hua Chee in front of Erawan

L1210660_edited.JPG 
L1210660_edited.JPG

L1210660_edited.JPG 
At the top of the hillock above Erawan is 4-Face Brahma shrine L1210660_edited.JPG
L1210660_edited.JPG
L1210660_edited.JPG
Both black and white elephants trumpet towards Hatyai

L1210660_edited.JPG
Visitors can hit the gongs for luck
L1210660_edited.JPG
Garlanded, normal sized elephant

L1210660_edited.JPG
This enclosure is to protect children and foolish visitors from straying too near the firecrackers

L1210660_edited.JPG
L1210660_edited.JPG
Devotees can buy and donate an elephant for luck

L1210660_edited.JPG
Sacred Bo tree planted from the original tree under which Gautama Siddartha gained enlightenment

L1210660_edited.JPG
L1210660_edited.JPG
Kee Hua Chee standing underneath the male Erawan as clearly proven

L1210660_edited.JPG
L1210660_edited.JPG
Dramatic photo of Erawan taken from directly underneath

L1210660_edited.JPG 
L1210660_edited.JPG
L1210660_edited.JPG

L1210660_edited.JPG 

FIREFLY FLIES FROM SUBANG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TO HATYAI EVERY SUNDAY, MONDAY, WEDNESDAY AND FRIDAY.

FROM RM 99 ONE-WAY
WWW.FIREFLYZ.COM.MY 



DATO SRI MAJOR DR EDMUND GOH IN FRONT OF GIGANTIC STATUE OF GANESHA ENROUTE TO HATYAI


Add caption








DATO SRI EDMUND GOH AND DATO KEE HUA CHEE 




VERY KERWEI LAIPING
KERWEI KUANCHUNG
NI HAU
PEACE AT LAST


















LAST LOOK AT GANESHA 
DATO SRI EDMUND GOH PRAYING TO KUAN KUNG THE GREAT WARRIOR AND LITERARY GOD 








DATO SRI EDMUND GOH AND DATO KEE HUA CHEE PRAY TO KUAN KUNG THE GREAT WARRIOR AND EDUCATION GOD
MUST ALWAYS PRAY TO THE GREAT KUAN KUNG FOR PROTECTION AND BUSINESS LUCK










KUAN YIN, UPON SEEING THE VAST NUMBER OF HUMANS SUFFERING AND IN NEED OF SUCCOUR, SPROUTED 10 THOUSAND ARMS OR 10 MILLION ARMS TO FASTER HELP THOSE IN NEED 





PRAY TO KUAN YIN THE GODDESS OF MERCY WHO REFUSED TO ENTER NIRVANA UNTIL EVERY HUMAN SOUL IS SAVED SO PRAY TO THIS GREAT GODDESS OF LIMITLESS COMPASSION
KUAN YIN WITH HER 2 ACOLYTES A BOY AND GIRL KNOWN AS DRAGON GIRL AND JADE BOY
DATO SRI EDMUND GOH PRAYS TO KUANYIN ARDENTLY 
KUANYIN KNOWS OUR SECRET, DEEPEST THOUGHTS AND PRAY TO HER TO GUIDE YOU TOWARDS THE CORRECT PATH TO ENLIGHTENMENT
THE CHOSEN AND BLESSED DUO






DRAGON'S TAIL
PRAY TO KUAN YIN WHEREVER YOU ARE AS SHE HEARS YOU ONCE YOU CALL HER NAME AND SHE WILL GUIDE AND PROTECT YOU TILL THIS KALPA ENDS


GOLDEN PHOENIX


FEMININE POWER
GOLDEN PHOENIX BOWS LOW BEFORE KUAN YIN


KUAN KUNG IN FIERCE STANCE CONFRONTING EVIL
KUAN KUNG STANDS BELOW KUAN YIN

GAPING MOUTH OF GOLDEN DRAGON
KUANG JIAN YUAN, MARKETING MANAGER OF SANTA V, A PREMIUM HEALTHCARE PROVIDER TO REJUVENATE HEALTH AND ADDING ZEST TO EVERYDAY LIFE! 
KIANG JIAN YUAN IS A SHINING EXAMPLE OF THE EFFECTIVENESS AND EFFICACY OF SANTE V HEALTH CARE PRODUCTS HEADQUARTERED IN JOHORE BARU DUE TO ITS POPULARITY AND HIGH DEMAND IN SINGAPORE
DATO SRI MAJOR DR EDMUND GOH IS STRATEGIC PARTNER AND CONSULTANT OF SANTA V SDN BHD
DATO SRI EDMUND GOH IS BRILLIANT ADVERTISEMENT OF SANTE V PREMIUM HEALTHCARE PRODUCTS AS HE IS SLIM AND FIT AS A FIDDLE
CHEERS TO A DRAGON LIFE!


DATO KEE HUA CHEE AND DATO SRI EDMUND GOH CONSUME SANTA V PRODUCTS FOR OPTIMUM HEALTH 
STILL AT IT
SANTE TO SANTA V!
BACK OF DRAGON'S MOUTH
GOLD AND SILVER BALUSTRADES
THE JADE EMPEROR AND MAITREYA THE BUDDHA OF THE FUTURE WHO WILL DESCEND INTO OUR WORLD TO DESTROY EVIL AT OUR DARKEST HOUR JUST AS MOTHER MARY WILL BATTLE EVIL ALONGSIDE AS VIRGIN MARY IS DESTINED TO SAVE ALL TRUE BELIEVERS 
THE JADE EMPEROR, DATO SRI EDMUND GOH AND MAITREYA THE BUDDHA OF THE FUTURE




2 DIVINITIES DATO SRI EDMUND KOH AND DATO KEE HUA CHEE
DATO SRI EDMUND GOH AND DATO KEE HUA CHEE PRAY TO JADE EMPEROR
WE MUST PRAY TO JADE EMPEROR
KUANG JIAN YUAN, MARKETING MANAGER OF SANTE V PREMIUM HEALTH PRODUCTS ALSO PRAYS TO JADE EMPEROR AND MAITREYA
THE JADE EMPEROR SEATED ON THRONE OVERSEEING THE UNIVERSE DURING THIS KALPA
GOLDEN NUGGETS BEFORE BUDDHA OF THE FUTURE
JADE EMPEROR SEATED ON DRAGON THRONE AS DRAGONS WRITHE AMID CLOUDS BELOW
ALL KNEEL BEFORE KUANYIN
I AM DELUDED SO I PRAY TO KUAN YIN TO INTERCEDE AND CLEAR MY MIND 
KUAN YIN BELOW BUDDHA
DATO SRI EDMUND GOH WILL BE A BODDHISATTVA IN HIS LIFETIME 
DATO SRI EDMUND GOH IS NEARING DIVINITY


LOOK AT THE DARLING DOGGIE


WE MUST LOVE DOGS AS BUDDHA SENDS THEM TO REPRESENT HIS UNCONDITIONAL LOVE AS DOGS WILL LOVE YOU HOWEVER RICH OR POOR, FAT OR SLIM, TALL OR MIDGETY, FAMOUS OR BEGGARLY! I THINK OF ALL THE DOGS I HAD, DICKY, NICKY, BABY PEPIN, DEDIONE 1 AND NOW DEDIONE 11 AND I KNOW I HAVE BEEN TRULY LOVED
DARLING DOGGIE
THE MAIN STANDING BUDDHA 
SEATED BUDDHA IN SMALL SHRINE BEHIND STANDING BUDDHA 
DATO SRI EDMUND GOH IS A DEVOUT BUDDHIST WHO LIVES BY ITS PRECEPTS LIKE ME, I, MYSELF 
BUDDHA SAVED HIS LIFE ONCE AND KUANYIN SAVED ME THRICE 
DATO SRI EDMUND GOH AND DATO KEE HUA CHEE HAVE BEEN SAVED BY BUDDHA AND KUANYIN
2 DEVOTEES


PRAY TO BUDDHA THE TRUE GOD AS ALL OTHERS ARE HIS MANIFESTATIONS AS BUDDHISM STARTED SOME 4,500 YEARS AGO 


PRAISE BE TO BUDDHA THE ENLIGHTENED ONE WHO GAVE UP HIS THRONE AND EXALTED POSITION TO BE A PENNILESS BEGGAR TO SEEK SALVATION FOR US






DATO SRI EDMUND GOH IN SAME STANCE AS BUDDHA 








DATO KEE HUA CHEE AND DATO SRI EDMUND GOH IN SAME STANCE AS BUDDHA 


DATO SRI EDMUND GOH WEARS SANTA V T-SHIRT




KUAN YIN BELOW




WINDSWEPT LOOK






THE 2 PENITENTS






LOVE THESE EXOTIC AND UNUSUAL PLANTS CALLED CANNON BALL TREES FOR ONVIOUS REASONS






















THAT'S A BIG ONE




3 HEADED ERAWAN THE DIVINE ELEPHANT AND CARRIER OF GODS


























GARUDA THE MESSENGER OF THE GODS


DATO SRI MAJOR DR EDMUND GOH PRAYING TO 4-FACE BRAHMA


















KUANG JIAN YUAN PRAYING ALONGSIDE HIS BOSS DATO SRI EDMUND GOH












DATO SRI EDMUND GOH AND DATO KEE HUA CHEE THE 2 PENITENTS 
DATO KEE HUA CHEE'S BRILLANT WHITE TOOTHY SMILE IS CREATED BY DATO SEAN PAUL THE OWNER OF LIVINGWELL AESTHETICS CENTRE AND DENTAL CLINIC AT BANGSAR SHOPPING CENTRE, STARHILL GALLERY AND GREAT EASTERN MALL 03-2011 8778
KUANG JIAN YUAN THE MARKETING MANAGER OF SANTA V  HEALTH PRODUCTS




CHINESE TEMPLE 




DATO SRI EDMUND GOH DONATED 3,000 BAHT AND KUANG JAIN YUAN DONATED 300 BAHT TO BE USED TO BUY COFFINS FOR POOR BUDDHISTS OR FOR CREMATION WHICH IS AMONG THE HIGHEST GIFTS ACCEPTED BY THE GODS AND GODDESSES 
THIS TEMPLE IS NOT JUST DEDICATED TO BUDDHA BUT TO KSITIGARBHA THE BODDHISATTVA WHO REFUSED TO ENTER NIRVANA UNTIL 'ALL HELL IS EMPTY' AND HE HAS VOWED TO HELP SENTIENT BEINGS OF THE 6 WORLDS FROM THE TIME OF GAUTAMA BUDDHA TILL THE ARRIVAL OF MAITREYA THE BUDDHA OF THE FUTURE WHO IS CURRENTLY MEDITATING IN TUTISHA HEAVEN. DRESSED IN MONK'S ROBE, TSITIGARBHA IS OFTEN MISTAKEN FOR TRIPITAKA THE HERO IN 'JOURNEY TO THE WEST' WITH MONKEY, PIGGY AND SANDY! IN MY FAMILY'S FUNERALS THE STATUES AND IMAGERY OF TSITIGARBHA ARE ALWAYS PROMINENTLY DISPLAYED AS HE HELPS ALL SOULS TO A BETTER PLACE. HE IS  BODDHISATTVA OF HELL-BEINGS AND PATRON OF CHILDREN AND FETUSES.










THANK YOU KSITIGARBHA FOR TAKING MY FATHER AND ANCESTORS TO HEAVEN AND PLEASE DO THE SAME FOR ME WHEN MY TIME COMES















THIS IS NOT KUAN YIN AS MOST WOULD ASSUME BUT MATSU OR MAZU THE GODDESS OF SOUTHERN SEAS AND PATRON GODDESS OF SAILORS, FISHERMEN AND PATRONESS OF THE SOUTHERN SEAS OR 'NANYANG'. THE FAMOUS THEAN HOU TEMPLE IN KUALA LUMPUR IS ALSO DEDICATED TO HER AND NOT JUST BUDDHA AND KUANYIN AS MATSU WAS HIGHLY REVERED BY THE FIRST CHINESE IMMIGRANTS WHO ARRIVED IN 19TH CENTURY ON RICKETY WOODEN SHIPS AND THOSE WHO MADE IT IN MALAYSIA BUILT TEMPLES FOR HER OUT OF GRATITUDE.
MATSU OR MAZU THE GREAT GODDESS OF THE SOUTHERN SEAS


TSITIGARBHA WEARING BUDDHIST MONK'S ROBE LIKE TRIPITAKA OF 'JOURNEY TO THE WEST'
















DATO SRI EDMUND GOH BURNING HIS RECEIPT FOR 3,000 BAHT SO HIS COFFIN DONATION WOULD BE ACCEPTED BY HEAVEN


DATO SRI EDMUND GOH AND KUANG JIAN YUAN
KUANG JIAN YUAN WEARS SAFFRON SHIRT LIKE A MONK'S ROBE SO KERWEI

No comments:

Post a Comment