Photo. Wat Buppharam in Penang, Malaysia, also known as the Sleeping Buddha by the locals.
Discreetly located away along Jalan Perak in George Town, Penang, I visited the temple Wat Buppharam, also known as the Sleeping Buddha by the locals. It isn’t just another temple - it’s a spiritual anchor for the Thai Buddhist community and a vivid reminder of the region’s deep cultural blend. Wat Buppharam, a Thai Buddhist temple that’s as rich in spirit as it is in history. Founded in 1942 during the Japanese occupation of Malaya by Thai monk Phra Phothan Srikheaw, this Theravada temple has stood through war, peace, and generations of worship.
Tried my luck to make my wishes come true. This was a test of both faith and muscles. Locals say if you can lift the statue “The Lifting Buddha” twice with ease, your wish will come true. It’s part blessing and part mystery. As I was journeying across the world, my wish was simple: to keep going. To find the means to keep the tour alive. Most visitors - myself included - leave with the same realisation: some wishes require more than strong belief and muscles. They require movement, intention, and action. I tried several times and failed. The message was clear: some wishes aren’t given, they’re earned.
The temple’s real showstopper is a massive 33-meter reclining Buddha, also known as the sleeping Buddha. It was draped in gold leaf - one of the largest of its kind in the world. The statue captures the Buddha in his final moments before entering parinirvana, resting on his side with one hand gently supporting his head. This form, known as Pra Buddhachaiya Mongkul, represents total peace and detachment from worldly concerns. Looked closer at the soles of his feet: intricate carvings etched with symbols from Buddhist cosmology - without words - each one a silent tale of the universe and the path to enlightenment.
One of the most striking features is the columbarium at the temple: the walls here are lined with niches that hold the ashes of devotees. It’s believed these resting places bring luck and blessings to the departed, merging memory with faith.
Wat Buppharam is a temple that breathes. Stepped inside, I felt it immediately - the quiet energy, the scent of incense, the vivid colours that seem to pulse with life. Inside, I observed more than just statues: a sitting Buddha, a standing Buddha, and a laughing Buddha - each with its own aura, each offering a different door into reflection – and all surrounded by vibrant murals that paint stories from Buddhist myth and teachings. Every detail here feels intentional, sacred and very much alive.
Wat Buppharam comes alive during major festivals like Songkran, Loy Krathong, and Vesak Day. The temple also holds Jathukarm-Ramathep-Ganesha blessing ceremonies, blending elements of devotion across Southeast Asian traditions.
The Wat Buppharam temple was for me a place to feel deeply in addition to admire all the beautiful artwork and symbolism. So afterwards I needed time to think for myself. For spiritual experiences, some people go the temples to prey, and other go to the beaches for resting and dreaming. Whether you are religious or not, one of Penang`s most interesting attractions is definitely religion. Welcome to the spiritual world! Be ready for healing your soul.
Stein Morten Lund,
updated article from 1987, May 2025.
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