Sam Poh Tong Temple 1 Sep 2017

Sam Poh Tong can be translated as the Cave of Triple Gems. The Triple Gems is the most basic belief and doctrine of Buddhism and the core and foundation of the Buddhism. It refers to Buddha, Dharma and Sangha.

In addition to the Buddhist cave temple, the temple's compound includes a crematorium and a columbarium. Sam Poh Tong's columbarium looks like a 4-storey blue coloured apartment block.

In front of the temple is a very attractively landscaped garden designed around a large fish pond.

Islands on the pond are embellished with artificial rock formations perhaps shaped to resemble the Huang Shan mountains of China.

Japanese stone lanterns and pagodas add to the beauty of the garden.

Inside the cave temple, the main altar area is smaller I expected and filled with statues of Buddha and deities.

A staircase leads up to an upper level where there are a few more statues in display cases.

Behind a padlocked gate are some steps leading up the hillside but the path seems abandoned and overgrown.

Beyond the altar is a passage way leading out to a secluded garden containing the 'tortoise pond' and an ornate pagoda building with red roof tiles.

The pond was a fenced-off pool of vivid dark green water surrounded by an assortment of turtles sitting on a drab brick pavement.

The water was changed irregularly and that the living conditions were rather poor.

There were tourists purchased bunches of kangkung from a vendor at the entrance and threw pieces over the fence in the direction of the turtles. They seemed lazy but eventually gobbled down the food.

The pagoda building is reminiscent of Buddhist temples in Japan but it was also fenced off and padlocked.

The whole area is completely encircled by towering cliffs and there is no exit other than the passageway back into the cave temple. It looks a bit run-down in maintenance compared to Ling Sen Tong Temple.

One more thing is that there are a lot of beggers sitting outside the temple, most of them are old men and women. It really surprised me!

Later we left for the Kuan Yin Temple just around the corner.

Nam Thean Tong Temple 1 Sep 2017

Nam Thean Tong is a Taoist temple and this was evidenced by the painting over the entrance of the Eight Immortals, characters from Chinese mythology who are revered by Taoists.

Nam Thean Tong translates as Cave of the Southern Sky, 'southern sky' referring to heaven.

We did not go into the temple as everyone seems like to tire to climb the staircase leading up to the temple. We just wondered around at the fish pond and courtyard outside the temple.

These 3 were so funny! But I love them the most in the world!

Ling Sen Tong Temple 1 Sep 2017

After our breakfast at Restaurant Kong Heng, we came to the famous cave temples in Ipoh. The first cave temple that we visited and so eye catching is Ling Sen Tong cave temple.

It is located next door to Nam Thean Tong and Sam Poh Tong just off Jalan Gopeng on the southern outskirts of Ipoh. Ling Sen Tong probably picks up a lot of tourist visitors who are heading to those more famous cave temples.

This temple is quite different from its neighbours. The garden in front is decorated with colourful statues of characters from Chinese mythology such as the Monkey King from the classic tale Journey to the West, the Ji Gong and others.

The almost cartoon-like caricatures of dragons, the Goddess Kuan Yin and other figures give the temple a children's theme park atmosphere. Issac and Annabelle were so facinating with all the interesting statues around the court yard.

The cave itself is very shallow and is more like an overhang of the hill Gunung Rapat which looms above the temple.

Although the courtyard outside may resemble a children's garden, the cave temple itself appears to attract many whom come to pray and we can see the roof of the cave which has been stained black by the smoke of countless joss-sticks.

After spending some time here, we just walked to the Nan Thean Tong Temple through the connecting courtyard.

Princess Belated Birthday Celebration 2 Sep 2017

Princess actual birthday is on 31 August – Malaysia National Day. We only managed to celebrate with her after we were back from our Ipoh trip. Daddy bought a fresh cream butter cake for her. And, here we are!

Fulfilling My Duty to God

Preparing for the Priesthood #2 ~ Read D&C 20:57-60 and Aaronic Priesthood: Fulfilling Our Duty to God [Deacon], page 7. Discuss with a parent or leader the purposes of the Aaronic Priesthood and what it means to do your duty to God.

This is the second lesson for Issac for the Preparing for the Priesthood session. It is about what is the duty of the Aaronic Priesthood.

Issac needs to learn about the scripture to understand more about his duty as the deacon in the Aaronic Priesthood.

Well, I must say the topics under this “Preparing for the Priesthood” is quite ‘heavy’ and ‘serious’ matters to talk about.

Doctrine and Covenants 20:57-60 is about the duty or authority of the lesser priesthood, the Aaronic Priesthood:

Priests, teachers, and deacons hold the Aaronic Priesthood. Priests may baptize new members and bless the sacrament. They also help the elders.

Teachers may help get the sacrament ready and go home teaching. They are to help Church members live righteously.

Deacons may pass the sacrament, act as ushers, and collect fast offerings. They are to help keep Church buildings and grounds in good condition and to serve as messengers for priesthood leaders.

It is actually quite the same scripture as the previous lesson and Doctrine and Covenants 107:20.

Then we discussed about the Purposes of the Aaronic Priesthood, as stated in the Church Handbook:

Lastly we discussed about What It Means to Do Your Duty to God?

“You are a son of God. He has restored His priesthood in our day, and He has entrusted you with that priesthood.”

“All priesthood holders have a common call from the Lord: “Wherefore, now let every man learn his duty, and act in the office in which he is appointed, in all diligence" (D&C 107:99).”

“But where can you go to learn about this duty? The first place to look should be the scriptures. Specifically, you’ll want to study the sections in the Doctrine and Covenants where the duties of the Aaronic Priesthood are outlined in Doctrine and Covenants 20:46-60, 20:72-79 and Doctrine and Covenants 84:111.”

It can be divided the Aaronic Priesthood responsibilities into 3 sections:

1. Administer Priesthood Ordinances
2. Serves Others
3. Invite All to Come unto Christ

“The Lord has promised that as you fulfil your priesthood duties, you will be sanctified by the Spirit, you will become the elect of God, and eventually you will receive all that the Father has (see D&C 84:33–38).”

“Your service as a priesthood holder will bring great blessings to those you serve.”

I know it is quite a lot to learn about all these duties of an Aaronic Priesthood for Issac, but I just make it simple and it is still an introductory to him. He will learn more when he is ready to receive his Aaronic Priesthood.

Jalan2 Cari Makan @ Kampar 2 Sep 2017

We were enroute to Kampar during on our way back to Kuala Lumpur.

Medan Selera Kampar is the place to go for breakfast in Kampar, as there are so many food stalls in it, and surely there is something for everyone.

The area is separated into two sections – one serving halal food, while another one area consisted of mostly Chinese stalls. There are really a lot of people in the Medan Selera.

We just walkabout, and found the seating just next to the famous Stall no. 32. Be sure to sit near the beverage stall that you are ordering from.

We joined in the line immediately after we managed to find the stall. While queuing up, we observed what the locals ordered for theirs.

Sometimes the beverage stalls can be territorial about the tables but there are no restrictions on which food stall that you are ordering from.

That is what happened to me while I was ordering drinks from the beverage stall.

Stall no. 32’s uncle is famous as everyone knows him as the uncle who sits on a stool while frying and dishing out his plates of char kuey teow.

Charcoal, instead of conventional gas is being used so this explains why his Char Kuey Teow is always full of ‘wok hei’.

The famous Char Kuey Teow (fried noodles with eggs, prawns, and waxed sausages) was served on a sheet of banana leaf, and a welcoming half a calamansi lime for extra zing. Well, here goes our breakfast.

After our breakfast, we went around the Medan Selera and hunt for other food.

Stall no. 42 is another famous stall in Medan Selera Kampar. It has been serving their famous glutinous rice for more than a decade.

We were very lucky to secure the famous 2 glutinous rice. Unlike its plain counterpart, the glutinous rice was served together with roasted peanuts, and char siew.

The glutinous rice had a lovely chewy texture, the roasted peanut was crunchy, the char siew was tender and silky texture.

We did walk around and saw some of the famous food stalls that we did not manage to try, such as the curry chee cheong fun and the claypot noodles, which the queue is very long. We definitely will come back if got chance to try it ourselves.

Then, we continue our journey back to home. officially ended our 3 days 2 nights Ipoh trip.