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Sakyamuni Caves Monastery : A Spiritual Refuge

Beginnings of the Monastery
Buddhism in Kinta Valley Perak and the cave tradition=In the early years of Buddhism, monks dedicated themselves to an ascetic life (particular to the pursuit of religious or spiritual goals) wandering around the country with no permanent living quarters. More than a thousand years ago, Kinta Valley in Perak was already visited by Buddhist monks. Thudong (forest monastic tradition) monks from the caves and forest tradition made their meditation retreats in the depths of Northern Malaya's mountains and caves.

The Great Thudong's Master Visions
A Great Thudong Master in Thailand, previously Siam during his deep concentration whilst in meditation had an inner vision of a mountain resembling a formidable Reclining Buddha in northern Malaya. In the belly of the mountain, he saw a vision of a golden "naga" (dragon). The Great Master search started in the 1900s and he walked all over Malaya in search for the mountain. The Great Master's epic journey arrived in Kinta Valley where locals informed him of a mountain which resembles a "Reclining Buddha". The Great Master's search led him to Tai Sun Lo Kuan cave temple (a.k.a. Malaysia Dhamma Sakyamuni Monastery in Gunung Kanthan.

The Sakyamuni Caves Monastery
This is the right place for Buddhist monks to Walk the Path. The cave previously named as Tai Sun Lo Kuan was renamed as Sakyamuni Caves Monastery. The Sakyamuni caves are rare and unique in that it has an upper and lower cave that provides shelter and a protective shield of stillness which is perfect to practice the teachings and meditation. The sacred qualities of the Sakyamuni Caves provide the perfect santuary practice the perfect sanctuary to practice the meditative life and the awakening of the mind, body and spirit to receive wisdom through the Tatagatha's teachings.

Transition of Monastery in from 1900 to 2021
The Great Master settled down in Gunung Kanthan, more and more monks travelled to Malaya and stayed in the caves monastery. Many Thudong monks who renounced their worldly possessions to seek the "right path" found their way to the Sakyamuni Caves Monastery. Those monks who have travelled and stayed in the caves monastery for short or long periods also discovered that their energy for practice does not wane and that they are able to seek wisdom unlike other caves. During this time, the local community stated to learn more about the monks and spiritual build of meditation. The devotees decided to reconstruct the cave temple as a permanent place for monks of the Forest and Cave tradition to pursue their enlightenment. The monks use their own strength to build up the monastery. The management of reconstruction of the monastery was not an easy task. It was initially supported by devottees. Public funds was raised for many years and eventually more than 20 million ringgit was utilized for the reconstruction.