A BUDDHIST temple in Pantai Jerjak is seeking donations to fund the construction of its permanent premises in Sungai Ara, with the single-storey project estimated to cost RM550,000.
Temple of Gratitude (Poh Ern Si Penang) chairman Toh Hin Woon said construction is currently paused due to a lack of funds, and the temple hopes more members of the public, corporate organisations and industry players will come forward to support the project.
He said construction is expected to take about five months once work resumes, with the temple hoping to complete the building next year.
“We hope more people, corporate organisations and industry players can come forward to sponsor the project so that construction can resume,” he said during a press conference at the temple today.
The temple has secured a leasehold plot from the Penang government at Lot 20333, Lintang Sungai Ara, near the Golden Triangle in Relau.
Its building plans have already been approved by the Penang Island City Council (MBPP), while the initial foundation work has been completed.
Toh said the temple was initiated in 2006 and officially registered with the Registrar of Societies in 2008 under Persatuan Penganut Agama Buddha Amitabha Poh Ern Si Pulau Pinang.
After nearly two decades of operating from rented and private premises, he said the temple now hopes to have a permanent home to continue serving the community.
According to Toh, the temple was established with the mission of helping people overcome life’s difficulties, reducing suffering and providing spiritual guidance.
The temple propagates both Mahayana and Theravada Buddhist teachings, emphasising that the two traditions complement each other in spiritual cultivation.
Located at Jalan Pantai Jerjak 2 in Bayan Lepas, the temple conducts a range of religious and community activities, including bi-weekly consultation sessions, Dharma classes, chanting sessions and Dana ceremonies. It also maintains an online presence through its website to share Buddhist teachings and practical knowledge with a wider audience.
Toh said the temple had spent years serving the community through its consultation and religious services, while fundraising for a permanent building had taken a back seat.
“For many years, we have focused on helping the public through our spiritual consultation services. As a result, we did not place much emphasis on fundraising for a temple building,” he said.
He added that the temple also aims to conduct structured training programmes and contemplation sessions to help followers deepen their understanding of Buddhist teachings, including the concepts of impermanence, rebirth and spiritual liberation.
Those wishing to contribute to the temple building fund may do so through Persatuan Penganut Agama Buddha Amitabha Poh Ern Si Pulau Pinang’s AmBank account (8881060322733).
Meanwhile, MBPP councillor Chan Soon Aun, on behalf of Bayan Baru MP Sim Tze Tzin, contributed RM10,000 to the temple’s building fund.
Chan said the temple had previously received an allocation under the state government’s RIBI (Non-Islamic Places of Worship) assistance programme, which had been used for the construction of the temple’s foundation.
He said the previous allocation had helped the temple make progress on the project, but additional funding was now needed for the construction to continue.
Chan said the temple had been serving the local community for many years and hoped the contribution would help support its efforts to establish a permanent premises.
He also called on more corporate bodies and industry players to come forward with financial assistance to support the construction.
“We hope more corporate and industry players can step up and provide financial assistance to support the temple’s construction. Every contribution will help the project move forward,” he said.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Law Suun Ting