The Giant Gods
The Giant Gods By Rhony Laigo
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hen Jodie Foster was about to “travel” to what she thought would be in outer space in the movie “Contact”, her co-star “Reverend” Matthew McConaughey asked her if she would be representing humankind who believes in a Creator as she might be facing an intelligent life. Of course, the scientist Foster couldn’t say yes. For those who didn’t see it, Foster, who played Dr. Ellie Arroway, was an atheist in the movie. And in spite of being informed that 90 percent of human beings believed in some form of a Supreme Being, Foster just couldn’t turn her back on her godless principles. Needless to say, she stood her ground and testified that she would travel as a human being seeking to understand science beyond what’s on Earth without any regard to the possibility of any god. It was the wrong answer though and so she missed her initial “flight.” But this essay is not about the movie. This is about faith and why people would go to great lengths or, in this case, heights as the following photographs would show to profess this faith. Be it God, Yahweh, Allah, Buddha or Brahma, the majority of the peoples of the world practice some form of religion that identify them as either Christian, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists or Hindus and call their own Supreme Being with their own unique name. Still many others form their own type of religion and may gather in any place to worship and pay homage to their Divine Provider. The place may be a church, mosque, temple or wherever people can possibly congregate and pray individually or collectively. This practice has been in place even when Jesus Christ wasn’t even born yet, in which case the sun, fire, wind, water, trees, rocks or mountains, or idols served as symbols for which our ancestors offered prayers, sacrifices, words of thanks, petitions or do acts of contrition. In the Philippines where I was born, the older the church the more revered that house of worship is. From Bathala – our ancestral term for the Creator – Filipinos came to know the Holy Trinity after the Spaniards colonized the Philippines in the 1500s and ruled them for 333 years, converting what were once known as pagans to Christians. It is only in this part of Asia where centuries-old Baroque-inspired churches still stand and where parish priests still celebrate mass. While they have become tourist attractions, they still serve as places of solace in times of calamities and tragedies and in some cases fortresses during conflicts and where armed hostilities exist. The same is true for the temples and mosques in neighboring countries, some of which have served their faithfuls for hundreds of years and, because of the tremendous size of their gods and goddesses, are testaments to man’s unwavering belief that there is something out there that watches over them and at the same time punish them for their transgressions, but with a universal belief that anyone can be forgiven if they ask for it. As with all other Christians, Filipinos are taught that the only way through the gates of heaven is through Jesus Christ. But seeing how other people of other faiths in Thailand and Malaysia pay respect to their Supreme Beings as you will see in the following pages – be they in mosques in the cities, temples by the roadsides or caves high up in the mountains – I see a universal belief in the Supernatural that transcends race or creed and in their profession of love, peace and harmony. (Rhony Laigo is a Filipino journalist based in Los Angeles. All photographs were taken by Rhony in Thailand, Malaysia and the Philippines. He can be reached at rhonylaigo@aol. com )
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Wat Phra Kaeo - Temple of the Emerald Buddha at The Grand Palace (Bangkok, Thailand)
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oung Buddhist monks on the streets of Bangkok, near Wat Phra Kaew, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha.
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he Grand Palace of the King and Queen of Thailand in Bangkok, which was inspired by three different architectures – Burma, Cambodia and India – as shown by each of the three towers.
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he Grand Palace complex is huge. It occupies an area of more than 218,000 square meters. One can get lost. Directions might be needed... that is if you can read Thai script.
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p ahead is the Wat Phra Kaew or theTemple of the Emerald Buddha (shown in photo on the right) in Bangkok, Thailand. The small Buddha, just 26 inches tall, was said to have been carved out from a single block of jade stone.
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Wat Phra Yai Temple Thailand
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ather and son enjoy a morning of being together oblivious to the the hordes of tourists who visit the Wat Phra Yai Temple, which sits on Patramnak Hill in Pattaya, overlooking the scenic Gulf of Thailand, where these bells are found at the base of the temple.
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ourists can pick up one of the many pieces of wood to ring the bells of the Big Buddha at the Wat Phra Yai Temple, where they hope that it would bring them good fortune.
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B Beware, the th Seven-Headed S H d d Dragons D att the th entrance t off the Big Buddha (Wat Phra Yai) Temple on Patramnak Hill in Pattaya.
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he Wat Phra Yai Temple is surrounded by several Buddhas. There is one Buddha for each day, like this Reclining Buddha , who you should pray to on Tuesdays... only.
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There are actually 14 dragon heads that watch over the entrance of the Wat Phra Yai Temple. But tourists don't mind them and just go about their ways.
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woman offers her prayers at one of the Buddhas surrounding the Big Buddha at the Wat Phra Yai Temple in Pattaya, Thailand.
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he Big Buddha at the Wat Phra Yai Temple in Pattaya, Thailand is 12 meters high.
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ne of the Buddhas at the Wat Phra Yai Temple is an emaciated statue (opposite page) to signify that fasting as a religious rite could mean cleansing one’s self.
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nd if it’s Monday... well, you get the idea.
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f a visit to a temple doesn’t answer your prayers, maybe a life-size Buddhist monk may be just what you need just like these statues for sale at the Pattaya Floating Market. 23
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ot only are giant Buddhas located at the Wat Phra Yai Temple, worshippers may also stick a gold leaf on these Buddhas for good luck as the lady in this photo does.
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Thai Buddhist prayer begins with hands clasped together in a Wai position. The Wai is to show respect for the Lord Buddha.
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Kuan Yin Teng (Temple of the Goddess of Mercy) Malaysia
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woman with a wad of incense offers her prayers outside the Kuan Yin Teng (Temple of the Goddess of Mercy) in George Town, Penang, Malaysia.
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oney in m r e p a burns p eng Temple ) e v o b T (a woman e the Kuan Yin ress pubg n u o y P id a ce outs while Filipino a n leases r e u r f o a , g n e i ge Tow San D in Geor los Santos of n luck. w o e r d e usan e of h lisher S good measur a bird for
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ncense stick anyone?: A caretaker places incense sticks in a large bronze vase inside the Kuan Yin Teng Temple in George Town. The Temple of the Goddess of Mercy is the oldest in Penang, which serves as the patron saint of seafarers.
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Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi Clan House
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he Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi Clan House in Penang, Malaysia.
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eong San Tong Khoo Kongsi, better known as Khoo Kongsi, belongs to one of the “distinctive� Chinese clan associations in Malaysia, who built these highly intricate structures in Penang, where they congregate. Each of the magnificent set of illustrations tell a story as the lineage of these clans is said to be 650 years old.
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he walls of the Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi Clan House has “permanent draperies� of artwork that speak of historical epics.
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ns, the Leig s e d te a ic tr h in andcrafted wit Clan House i s g n o K o o h K se of Chiong San Tong a c w o h s a is laysia in Penang, Ma re that is more u lt u c d n a re itectu nese art, arch old. than 650 years
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ourism Malaysia Vice President for Western United States and Latin America Mazlan Araju (right) gets a first hand information from a guide on the history of the Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi Clan House. 38
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eong San Tong Khoo Kongsi Clan House inside and out.
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Wat Chayamangkalaram Temple
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ome to the third largest Reclining Buddha in the world, the Wat Chayamangkalaram Temple in Penang, Malaysia is a must see for all those who get the chance to travel to the island “Pearl of the Orient.�
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t 33-meters long, the Wat Chayamangkalaram is the third largest Reclining Buddha in the world “lying� awake 24/7 in Penang, Malaysia.
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everal Buddhas also surround the Reclining Buddha at the Temple. People also leave their urn containing the ashes of their loved ones on the wall behind the third largest Reclining Buddha in the world. 46
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Dhammikarama Burmese Buddhist Temple in Penang, Malaysia
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lthough not as gigantic as its neighbor in the Wat Chayamangkalaram Hindu temple, the statue in the Dhammikarama Burmese Temple is all marble, however.
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ocated just across the Wat Chayamangkalaram Thai Temple, the Dhammikarama Burmese Temple is the oldest Burmese Temple in Penang, Malaysia and is home to this huge all-marble Buddha statue.
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Kek Lok Si Temple Air Itam, Penang
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his way to Kek Lok Si Temple, says the sign (opposite photo), which is nestled all the way to the top of Air Itam in Penang, Malaysia, where a giant 30.2-meter bronze statue is located. The temple also has different other Buddha statues of various “denomimations” – from Chinese, Burmese to Thai. The upward trek is an adventure in itself as well as a maze and can be exhausting. A funicular ride (opposite photo) aids those who can’t bear another step to reach the Goddess of Mercy on top.
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isitors who will themselves up the stairs of Kek Lok Si Temple are treated a bird’s eye view of Penang, Malaysia.
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ive turtles in this pond give panting visitors a short respite while going up the stairs of the Kek Lok Si Temple, where other statues (opposite photo) are also scattered all around the pagoda.
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he Goddess of Mercy at the Kek Lok Si Temple in Air Itam, Penang is a giant 30.2-meter bronze statue.
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hile going up the stairs are encouraged, just like how the monks and a friend got there, the Kek Lok Si Temple is accessible by car (opposite photo) all the way to the top. But remember, a litle sacrifice may do you good, not to mention getting some exercise.
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Hindu Temples in Batu Caves Kuala Lumpur
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warfed by this giant 42.7 meter-high statue called Murugan, a Hindu deity, people from all walks of life who visit Batu Caves, located north of Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, may need all the energy they have (and the patience to deal with pesky macaque monkeyss along the stairs) in order to visit the Hindu temples found inside the caves that were carved out by dripping water inside the 400-million-year old limestone mountain. 67
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arefooted, some Hindu faithfuls endure hundreds of steps and wet floors inside the Batu Caves not wearing any shoes at all while they pay homage to their God. 69
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hese breathtaking limestone cathedrals inside the Batu Caves were formed some 400 million years ago and serve as some of the best places of worship for the Hindus of Malaysia. 70
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anned by Hindu priests, temples inside the Batu Caves, including this Lord Murugan Temple, offer worshippers blessings of fertility and other good fortunes.
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aybe its the gods and goddesses that adorn the entrance of the Batu Caves leading the temple that Hindus come for. But this family (opposite photo) professes that after a visit to the caves that they’ve been blessed with a child after doctors had “told us that we won’t have any children.” Or, maybe, just maybe, the phallic-looking stalactite that journalist Nick Winfrey is caressing has something to do with them becoming fertile.
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he Batu Caves have holes (inset) on top of the cathedrals the provide sunlight and “rays of hope� to some parts of the Batu Caves.
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hese children are probably enjoying burning materials more than praying with their parents at the foot of one of the temples inside the Batu Caves. 77
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fter 272 steps going up, a colorful statue welcomes visitors at the entrance of the Batu Caves, located a few miles north of Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia.
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Christian Churches & Mosques
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rikes donning flower garlands are among the tourist attractions in the Christ Church of Melaka plaza, where centuries-old cannons are strategically posted to “protect the city from invaders.�
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ourists flock the Christ Church of Melaka Square, which was built in the 18th Century after the Dutch conquest of the Portuguese invaders in Malacca.
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ocally-known as Masjid Putra, the Putra Mosque in Putrajaya, Malaysia is not only massive, but the architecture in and out of the mosque is astounding. What’s interesting is that while it’s so huge, there’s nothing inside the structure and just walls, which is not unusual for all the mosques anywhere else in the world.
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he awesome structure that is Putra Mosque with its high semi-sphere ceiling. Unlike most other places of worship, Muslims don’t get to sit on pews and they just sit on the floor, kneel and even kiss the carpet when praying five times a day.
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he picturesque Putra Mosque in Putrajaya, Malaysia sits on a man-made lake as seen here from one of the many bridges dotting Putrajaya, located some 15 miles south of Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia is a Muslim nation, but other religions, such as Buddhism, Hinduism as well as Christianity, are practiced freely in the country. 91
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he sun peers behind the St. Sebastian Cathedral in Bacolod City, the capital city of the province of Negros, Occidental, popularly known as land of the sugar barons, who because of their association to the Spaniards, the colonizers who Christianized the Philippines, became some the richest people in the Philippines. 92
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mid newlyconstructed buildings around it, heavy traffic and urban development, the Binondo Church (opposite page) on Juan Luna in Binondo, Manila has stood the test of time. Established in 1596, the church has been renovated several times, the most notable of which were after the British bombing in 1762 and during the Second World War.
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towering Archangel Michael statue slaying Satan as the Dragon in front of San Miguel Church near Malaca単ang Palance, home of the president of the Philippines and where the late dictator Ferdinand Edralin Marcos lived and reigned for 20 years.
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oman Catholic Cathedral of Manila: First cathedral built in 1581. Damaged by a typhoon, 1582 and destroyed by fire, 1583. Second cathedral built of stone in 1592 and partially destroyed by earthquake, 1600. Third cathedral built in 1614 and destroyed by the earthquake of 1645. Fourth cathedral magnificiently built in 1654-1671 by Archbishop Miguel Poblete and destroyed by the earthquake of 3 June 1863. Fifth cathedral built in 1870-1879 under Architects Luciano Oliver, Vicente Serrano Salaverria and Educardo Lopez Navarro and solemnly blessed in December 1879. The center of the cross on the dome is a reference point of astronomical longitudes of the archipelago. Destroyed during the battle of Manila in 1945. Sixth cathedral reconstructed, 1954-1958, under the direction of Archbishop Rufino J. Santos of Manila mainly with the support of the people. Fernando Ocampo, architect.