Chin Swee Caves Temple Genting Highlands Malaysia
- 7 years ago
Chin Swee Cave Temple is a popular tourist attraction and religious site located a few km before the peak of Genting Highlands on a sharp, rocky slope. Originally a cave temple, years of development have produced an expansive physical complex that extends far beyond the altar chamber, rooted in traditional Chinese architecture expressed by ornate prayer halls, colourful statues, opulent archways and its iconic pagoda tower. The temple was built by the founder of Genting (Lim Goh Tong) to venerate Buddhist figure Chin Swee, a year after he constructed the first resort and casino in 1975. The site was chosen as it reminded him of his birth village's landscape in Fujian, China.
Tediously constructed over 18 years with a foundation dug from solid bedrock, modern machinery was eschewed because of the steep terrain that resulted in its unusually long development period. In 1994, Chin Swee Temple was finally open to public, but additonal layers were added over ensuing years to create the sprawling complex visitors see today. Evolved heavily from its roots, the temple no longer pays sole homage to Chin Swee, but a pastiche of Buddhism, Taoism, Shamanism, Confucianism and various other 'isms' from Chinese folk belief. Various deities linked to those beliefs litter the compound in the form of stone statues, sculptures, shrines, altars and paintings - some of light-hearted fantastical imagination, while others of a macabre nature.
The original temple hall that houses the black-faced Chin Swee altar lies below the complex, hidden slightly deep inside a rocky chamber. Some of the prominent structures to explore include the iconic nine-storey pagoda lit by lamps, Sky Terrace - a vast square on top the complex with a view of the valley, 'Ten Chambers of Hell' - a sloping hilltop walk past story-telling statues built into small cave recesses, and finally, a giant 15-meter high Buddha statue wedged between the jungle canopy across the hill. Lim Goh Tong Hall provides temple accommodation for visitors while a vegetarian restaurant serves meals. There is also a cable car station that connects between Awana Skyway and Genting Resort that operates on weekends and public holidays.
Of particular interest to visitors, especially children, may be the depiction of ten Chambers of Hell. These chambers line a path that gently winds up a hill at the fringe of the square. The walk up the path is named the Journey to Enlightenment because these chambers aim to discourage bad conduct by depicting the painful experiences an evil person would encounter in Hell.
According to Chinese beliefs, the First Chamber of Hell would screen the character of a dead person and his past deeds to decide whether or not and where he should receive punishment. A good person would be sent for rebirth in the Heavenly Realm or the Western Pureland of Great Bliss. An evil person would be sent to one of the remaining nine chambers of Hell, each of which is authorised and empowered to impose various degrees of punishment. Hence, all the newly arrived souls of the dead would proceed to the First Chamber of Hell where Chin-Kwong-Wang, the King of the First Chamber would determine their fate.
The Second Chamber of Hell said to be located below the ocean would deal specially with people who had abducted men or women, occupied properties not belonging to them, or caused bodily harm to others. Doctors who had cheated their patients or carried out malpractices, adulterous couples and those who had committed suicide before completing their filial obligations would likewise receive their punishment here.
The Third Chamber of Hell would mete out punishment to ungrateful or disloyal people and thieves. The Fourth Chamber punishes those guilty of tax evasion, bullying and negligence. In the Fifth Chamber would be placed those found guilty of rape, murder and fighting while those who had engaged in vandalism or has shown disrespect for religion would end up in the Sixth Chamber. The Seventh Chamber of Hell awaits those who had been involved in trafficking, abortion, gambling and other dishonest activities. The Eighth Chamber punishes people who had not shown filial piety towards their parents and respect for their elders. The Ninth Chamber deals with people who burn and damage properties. The Tenth Chamber decides on the place, form and sex in matters of reincarnation and rebirth.
While the tour of the Hell chambers can be an educational trip for everyone, it can also be an eye-opener for people who have little knowledge of the basic principles of cause and effect in Buddhism, a cornerstone of traditional Chinese beliefs.
Tediously constructed over 18 years with a foundation dug from solid bedrock, modern machinery was eschewed because of the steep terrain that resulted in its unusually long development period. In 1994, Chin Swee Temple was finally open to public, but additonal layers were added over ensuing years to create the sprawling complex visitors see today. Evolved heavily from its roots, the temple no longer pays sole homage to Chin Swee, but a pastiche of Buddhism, Taoism, Shamanism, Confucianism and various other 'isms' from Chinese folk belief. Various deities linked to those beliefs litter the compound in the form of stone statues, sculptures, shrines, altars and paintings - some of light-hearted fantastical imagination, while others of a macabre nature.
The original temple hall that houses the black-faced Chin Swee altar lies below the complex, hidden slightly deep inside a rocky chamber. Some of the prominent structures to explore include the iconic nine-storey pagoda lit by lamps, Sky Terrace - a vast square on top the complex with a view of the valley, 'Ten Chambers of Hell' - a sloping hilltop walk past story-telling statues built into small cave recesses, and finally, a giant 15-meter high Buddha statue wedged between the jungle canopy across the hill. Lim Goh Tong Hall provides temple accommodation for visitors while a vegetarian restaurant serves meals. There is also a cable car station that connects between Awana Skyway and Genting Resort that operates on weekends and public holidays.
Of particular interest to visitors, especially children, may be the depiction of ten Chambers of Hell. These chambers line a path that gently winds up a hill at the fringe of the square. The walk up the path is named the Journey to Enlightenment because these chambers aim to discourage bad conduct by depicting the painful experiences an evil person would encounter in Hell.
According to Chinese beliefs, the First Chamber of Hell would screen the character of a dead person and his past deeds to decide whether or not and where he should receive punishment. A good person would be sent for rebirth in the Heavenly Realm or the Western Pureland of Great Bliss. An evil person would be sent to one of the remaining nine chambers of Hell, each of which is authorised and empowered to impose various degrees of punishment. Hence, all the newly arrived souls of the dead would proceed to the First Chamber of Hell where Chin-Kwong-Wang, the King of the First Chamber would determine their fate.
The Second Chamber of Hell said to be located below the ocean would deal specially with people who had abducted men or women, occupied properties not belonging to them, or caused bodily harm to others. Doctors who had cheated their patients or carried out malpractices, adulterous couples and those who had committed suicide before completing their filial obligations would likewise receive their punishment here.
The Third Chamber of Hell would mete out punishment to ungrateful or disloyal people and thieves. The Fourth Chamber punishes those guilty of tax evasion, bullying and negligence. In the Fifth Chamber would be placed those found guilty of rape, murder and fighting while those who had engaged in vandalism or has shown disrespect for religion would end up in the Sixth Chamber. The Seventh Chamber of Hell awaits those who had been involved in trafficking, abortion, gambling and other dishonest activities. The Eighth Chamber punishes people who had not shown filial piety towards their parents and respect for their elders. The Ninth Chamber deals with people who burn and damage properties. The Tenth Chamber decides on the place, form and sex in matters of reincarnation and rebirth.
While the tour of the Hell chambers can be an educational trip for everyone, it can also be an eye-opener for people who have little knowledge of the basic principles of cause and effect in Buddhism, a cornerstone of traditional Chinese beliefs.