Enlightened Heart Buddhist Temple – Tambun, Malaysia - Atlas Obscura

Enlightened Heart Buddhist Temple

Tambun, Malaysia

On the outskirts of Ipoh, this sprawling temple complex is home to one of the world's tallest pagodas.  

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On the outskirts of Ipoh City, located in Tambun, just off Ampang Road, resides a sprawling Tibetan Buddhist temple complex. The temple was established around 1976 by Ge Li Rinpoche as a place to practice Nyingma Tibetan Buddhism. The complex itself covers around 12 acres. 

Surrounding the complex are various orchids and valleys. Around the temple are more than 200 statues and sculptures, however, the temple’s most striking feature is its multicolor pagoda. Standing at 13-stories and 236 feet (72 meters) in height, it’s one of the tallest pagodas in the world. From the eighth floor of the pagoda, a high gold sheened Shakyamuni Buddha statue gazes out over the Kinta Valley toward the city of Ipoh.

Around the pagoda are various pavilions that consist of traditional Tibetan prayer wheels, statues of deities, carved Buddhas, kitschy animals, and many more relics dedicated to the practice of Nyingma Tibetan Buddhism. The temple walls are decorated with carvings, paintings, and various Buddhist scriptures that are designed to present wisdom to those visiting the temple.

The temple is at its busiest on Malaysia’s Wesak Day, a public holiday when devotees descend on the temple to ask for good fortune and wisdom. 

Know Before You Go

The temple is open every day from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Admission is free and donations are appreciated.

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April 14, 2020

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