Latest news with #PhrakruSiribhodhivides
Free Malaysia Today
11-05-2025
- Free Malaysia Today
Welcome to Wat Chetawan, Selangor's only Thai Buddhist temple
The vibrant entrance to the Thai Buddhist Chetawan Temple, established in 1957 in Petaling Jaya. (Andrea Rhiannon Edmonds @ FMT Lifestyle) PETALING JAYA : Did you know Malaysia is home to at least 70 Thai Buddhist temples, most of which are located in Kelantan and Kedah? Selangor, however, has just one – but it bears the distinction of the being the only temple in the country to have been inaugurated by a Thai king. Wat Chetawan, also known as the Thai Buddhist Chetawan Temple, was established in 1957 and officiated by the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej. Located in Section 10 here – about a three-minute drive or 15-minute walk from Taman Jaya MRT station – the temple was a collaboration between the Selangor and Thai governments. Its main shrine hall, built by craftsman from Thailand, was completed in 1963. The state provided the land, and Rama IX, as Bhumibol was officially known, gifted a Buddha statue and granted his royal insignia to be displayed at the front of the hall. Adding to its significance, Wat Chetawan was entrusted by the Thai royal family with some of the Buddha's relics, said to have been discovered in India – an honour granted to only a handful of temples worldwide. Ahead of Wesak Day today, FMT Lifestyle visited Wat Chetawan and spoke with Phrakru Siribhodhivides, who has been a monk since he was 13. The late Rama IX gifted this Buddha statue for the main shrine hall of the temple. (Andrea Rhiannon Edmonds @ FMT Lifestyle) Having served at various temples in Thailand and Malaysia, the amiable monk said Wesak Day celebrations here are truly something special. The day begins at 6.30am with morning chants and meditation, followed by 'Tak Bat' at 11am: an offering of alms. Devotees – who often bring fruits, rice or sweets for the monks – are welcome to observe as the monks perform their rituals. Phrakru Siribhodhivides. The real celebration takes place at night, when thousands of devotees walk in procession on the outskirts of the temple, each with a joss stick, candle, and flower in hand. According to Phrakru, between 5,000 and 10,000 people are expected to attend. He said in most temples, devotees usually go around the main hall, pagoda, or Buddha statue. But given the large turnout at Wat Chetawan, they will congregate and make their way across the temple grounds, which spans more than 0.8ha, in loving remembrance of Buddha. Devotees will be surrounded by the temple's traditional Thai architecture, which was brought to life by esteemed national artists from Thailand. These include many who were responsible for structures like the Grand Palace in Bangkok. 'It's all handcrafted,' Phrakru said, pointing to a gilded wooden structure below the Buddha in the main hall. 'It's actually real gold.' Up to 10,000 devotees are expected to take part in the celebration here tonight. (Andrea Rhiannon Edmonds @ FMT Lifestyle) The temple also embraces a blend of cultures, with Chinese influences reflected in its rituals and architecture. This includes the presence of Guan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy. Showing FMT Lifestyle around, Phrakru noted that temple will be illuminated of thousands of oil lamps today – another Chinese tradition. Good karma Wat Chetawan is fully supported by the generosity of its followers, ranging from small cash contributions to the provision of large structures, statues and shrines. Throughout, you'll find inscriptions of the Buddha's teachings. One interesting sight is devotees paying to release birds from their cages – a practice known as 'merit release' or 'life release'. This tradition is believed to generate good karma and bring about positive outcomes. Still, Phrakru stresses that doing good isn't something that should only take place on hallowed ground. This is the only temple in Malaysia to have been inaugurated by the late king of Thailand, back in 1957. (Andrea Rhiannon Edmonds @ FMT Lifestyle) 'When you help people outside, even if you just smile – that's doing good. No need to pay any money. If you make another person happy, it's a good thing already,' he said, smiling himself. This positivity is especially felt on Wesak Day, as Wat Chetawan welcomes one and all to learn about their teachings. 'Some people visit just to see how we celebrate,' Phrakru added. 'Even Muslims and Christians will come just to look. We welcome one and all – come to see how we celebrate and what we teach.' Wat Chetawan 24, Jalan Pantai 9/7, Seksyen 10, 46000 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Follow Thai Buddhist Chetawan Temple on Facebook.
New Straits Times
09-05-2025
- New Straits Times
Thousands expected to attend Wesak Day celebration at Thai Buddhist Chetawan temple
PETALING JAYA: The Thai Buddhist Chetawan Temple is preparing for a grand three-day Wesak Day celebration from May 10 to 12, set to welcome up to 10,000 devotees from across the country. The head manager, who is also the temple's monk, Phrakru Siribhodhivides, 39, said preparations have been intensified to accommodate the large crowd expected for the annual religious observance. "Regular and Thai temples aren't much different, but since this is a large temple, we prepare more," he said. The highlights of the celebration include early morning chanting from 6.30am, alms giving, oil lamp lighting, and a grand night procession on May 12, during which devotees will walk around the temple three times. In preparation, the temple is welcoming support from volunteers, students from Thai schools, and even monks flown in from Thailand and other states, including Kedah. "Previously, we only used the main hall, but now, with up to 10,000 people, we will extend the celebration to the temple grounds and even out onto the main road," he said. Phrakru, who is originally from Sungai Petani, Kedah, became a monk at the age of 13 and was later granted the name "Phrakru Siribhodhivides" by the current King of Thailand, Maha Vajiralongkorn. He said Wesak Day commemorates three key events in the life of Gautama Buddha - his birth, enlightenment, and passing into nirvana - all of which are believed to have occurred on the same day in different years. "We will walk around the temple three times to honour the Buddha, the Dhamma, and the Sangha," he said. Phrakru added that this symbolic procession, known as pradaksina, is a significant part of the celebration. "All conditioned things undergo change. Decay is a normal process. All of you must not be reckless. You must hurry to find your refuge," he said, quoting the Buddha's final teaching as a reminder of Wesak Day's deeper spiritual meaning. The temple's celebrations are open to all, including non-Buddhists and members of the wider community. Previously, a major Wesak Day float procession in Kuala Lumpur saw over 25,000 devotees participating in a four-hour event that wound through the heart of the city. Themed "Foster True Compassion and Wisdom, Forge True Peace and Harmony", the celebration aimed to deepen public awareness of Buddhist values amid growing spiritual apathy. Chief high priest Datuk K. Sri Dhammaratana Nayaka Maha Thera also reminded the public of the importance of spiritual discipline in modern times, urging parents to instil Buddhist teachings in the younger generation. Built in 1957, before Malaysia's independence, the Thai Buddhist Chetawan Temple was established on land donated by the Malayan government and later officiated by the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand. The Malaysian government also contributed RM100,000 towards its construction, making the temple a longstanding symbol of Thai-Malaysian religious ties.
