Dr Sim (third left) and Lo (fourth left) place the sticks of incense in a pot after a prayer ceremony.
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| Fong (left) presents a memento to Dr Sim, witnessed by Tay (centre). |
Dr Sim (centre) together with senior monks and generous donors use hoes
to break the lumps in the soil to symbolically open the site for
construction. Also seen (from right) are Fong, Lo and Chan (third
right).
Dr Sim (seated tenth left) in a group photo with senior monks, invited
guests, generous donors and association committee members.
In expressing this view, Local Government Minister Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian also said broadening knowledge and gaining insight into various religions help to avoid conflict and misunderstanding.
“Religion has become a sensitive topic in the world we live in today. Despite that, we recognise that religion is vital to our society as it plays an important role in the way we lead our busy lives,” he added.
Dr Sim was addressing the prayer and earth-breaking ceremony for the construction of Kwan Yin statue at the Sarawak Buddhist Association Temple located at Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman here yesterday.
A 10-metre tall statue of Kwan Yin, the Goddess of Compassion and Mercy, seated on a lotus blossom will be built in the front compound of the temple to bring deeper awareness of kindness, love, compassion, pity, empathy and concern to people.
The ceremony was also attended by organising chairman Fong Siew Hong, Sarawak Buddhist Association chairman Datuk Dr Tay Chin Kin, Padawan Municipal Council (PMC) chairman and Batu Kitang assemblyman Lo Khere Chiang, Temenggong Lu Kim Yong, Kuching South City Council (MBKS) mayor Dato James Chan and India Street Pedestrian Mall Committee chairman Dato Wee Hong Seng.
“When we talk about sharing of knowledge, teachings and the values about Buddhism, it is not about converting people into Buddhism,” he reminded.
On the temple, Dr Sim pointed out it can be a major tourist attraction apart from being a place of worship, for meditation and education.
“I will do the best to source funds and give the support needed for the development of Buddhist associations and temples in Kuching. Give me a little bit of time as I am still learning, having just sworn in office not too long ago,” he said.
“Improvement is needed to provide temples with better facilities to give visitors and worshippers a more soothing, relaxing and comfortable place to carry out activities,” he added.
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