THE Reclining Buddha Temple in Lorong Burma is an exquisite Thai Buddhist temple that houses a 33m long reclining Buddha statue. Built in 1845, this temple represents the long standing relationship that the Thais have with Penang. Observe also how the temple is designed very much in accordance to the nuances of Thai religious architecture. Read here for more on the temple and here for the Thai-Malaysian link.

According to the Buddhist faith, the reclining posture "may represent the Buddha resting or sleeping, but more usually represents the mahāparinabbāna: the Buddha's final state of enlightenment before his death" (Wikipedia). Most parts of the temple are steeped with deep religious symbols, alongside the statue. For instance, the lotus flower is seen throughout the temple, not only in the form of prayer candles but also on its floor tiles. Read here and here for more on the eight auspicious symbols of the faith.

Every year, this temple celebrates Songkran , also known as the Thai New Year, grandly. An important element of the New Year would be the water festival, where devotees and tourists alike are drenched in water as an act of wishing good luck on this auspicious day. Read here for more on this celebration.

Related links

• Thai Temple at Pulau Tikus, Penang, Malaysia (You Tube), Part one and Part two
• Reclining Buddha Temple, Penang (Photo sets) (flickr)
• The Eight Auspicious Symbols of Buddhism - A Study in Spiritual Evolution (Exotic India)

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