The 20-storey high pavilion built to shelter the 30.2m tall bronze statue of Kuan Yin at the Kek Lok Si Temple in Penang, Malaysia may be listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the tallest pavilion in the world. The temple abbot said the 60.9m three-tiered roof pavilion, supported by 16 granite pillars, serves as a canopy for the statue and its unique octagonal design and height merits recognition. On December 6th, the temple plans to celebrate the completion of the pavilion as well as other milestones and more than 10,000 people are expected to attend.

1. Malaysian Buddhist Temple pavilion may
get world recognition
By TAN SIN CHOW, November 9, 2009
GEORGE TOWN, Penang (Malaysia) -- The 20-storey high pavilion, built to shelter
the Goddess of Mercy (Kuan Yin) statue at the Kek Lok Si Temple in Air Itam, Penang
may be listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the tallest in the world.
<< Tall landmark: The pavilion acts as
a canopy for the 30.2m-tall bronze
statue of Kuan Yin at the Kek Lok Si
Temple in Penang.
Temple abbot Rev Seck Jit Heng said the
temple management was planning to get
the RM40mil project included in the
record book.
“It is rare to see an octagonal pavilion with
such a height. This landmark should be
recognised in the Guinness Book of World
Records,” he said during a press
conference at the temple’s office here
yesterday.
The 60.9m three-tiered roof pavilion,
which is supported by 16 granite pillars,
serves as a canopy to shelter the 30.2m-tall
bronze statue of Kuan Yin.
Each pillar consists of 40 circular blocks of granite, with a thickness of 45cm and a
circumference of 2.1m. The core is filled with reinforced concrete.
Rev Jit Heng said the temple would hold a double celebration on Dec 6.
“We will celebrate not only the grand opening of the pavilion expected to be completed
by then but also the 118th anniversary of Penang Kek Lok Si Temple.
“On that day, we will also hold the 20th memorial ceremony for the fourth
chief abbot Venerable Bai Sheng who is the founder of the Kuan Yin statue,” he said.
“More than 10,000 people are expected to attend,” he added.
Temple trustee Datuk Steven Ooi said the Mahayana tradition chief monks of China,
Hong Kong, Taiwan, Australia, United States and other countries had been invited.

2. “His Holiness (the great supreme patriach) from Myanmar, Cambodia, Thailand and Sri
Lanka are also expected to attend the ceremony,” he said.
The building plan for the entire RM70mil project, consisting of the Kuan Yin statue and
the pavilion, was approved in 1999. The statue was completed and unveiled in 2002.