FGS Dong Zen Temple, Jenjarom

The FGS Dong Zen Temple (FGS stands for Fo Guang Shan) is a large Buddhist religious, cultural and educational complex in the small town of Jenjarom in the Kuala Langat district of Selangor state.

Its buildings are fairly modern but it has a pleasant atmosphere and is well worth a visit if you are passing that area.

Fo Guang Shan is the largest Buddhist order in Taiwan having been established by Master Hsing Yun in 1967. Since then branches have opened all over the world and it aims to promote Buddhism through its educational programmes and good deeds.

Every Chinese New Year the temple puts on a Lantern & Flora Festival and the whole place is transformed into a glittering wonderland of red lanterns, digital lights, illuminated gardens and colourful displays for kids and adults.

But even during the daytime and throughout the year there are attractions to see here. Visitors can visit the temple every day from 9am to 5pm (except closed on Mondays for incense offering and closed on the first and fifteenth of every lunar month).

The temple complex includes:

- Dining, lecture and meditation halls.

- Zen Garden.

- 18 statues of Arhats and 33 statues of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva which, though I am no expert, I believe are stages to progress though on the road to Buddhahood.

- Souvenir Corner.

- Main Shrine with a large seated Buddha statue.

- Lumbini Gardens with orchid displays, fish ponds and models of famous Buddhist sacred places in India.

- An Art Gallery with artefacts exhibition, a calligraphy hall and a Relics Shrine.

- Fo Guang Shan Education Exhibition.

- Kiddyland.

- A Tea House.

- A wishing pool and more.

For more photos take a look at my blog.

How to Get To FGS Dong Zen Temple

From Klang, take Highway 5 south signposted towards Banting. A few kilometres after Teluk Panglima Garang you will reach Jenjarom. Turn right under the archway into Jenjarom town (village?) centre. Keep going straight and you cannot miss the temple on your right. There is plenty of free parking.

Chinese New Year Lantern & Flora Festival 2024

This annual event usually starts around the eve of Chinese New Year and continues for 17 - 18 days.

This Year of the Dragon, the lantern festival begins with a lighting ceremony and spring festival gala cultural performance at 8pm on 7 February 2024 . Festivities continue from 8 - 25 February 2024 from 10am to 10pm with further events over the following two weekends, 2-3 March and 9-10 March 2024.

Activities include peace lantern appreciation, theme light show, hall tour, New Year's Eve burning incense, and bell ringing Prayers, lantern lighting ceremony, New Year Ceremony, Thousand Buddhas Dharma Assembly, Buddhist lectures, New Year special exhibition in the art museum, National Book Fair and vegetarian food.

You can monitor their Facebook Page for additional information regarding this year's events.

Admission is free.

A food court area has been erected to cater for the large crowds who attend this event.

See details of many more Chinese Temples in Malaysia here.