TAKE YOU TO A SOLEMN MONASTERY, SPIRITUAL JOURNEY @ KONG MENG SAN PHOR KARK SEE

Last weekend, I had visited the large monastery, Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Buddhist Temples which’s located at Bishan, Singapore.

There have 3 main access to the monastery, 9 building halls, 2 columbariums, 1 crematorium, and 1 new constructed meditation hall which’s considered as the largest monastery in Singapore. The monastery is having the Buddhism courses such as Buddha teachings of wisdom and compassion, practise mindfulness, develop gratitude towards happiness life.

Due to Covid-19 pandemic, all the religious places were closed based on government safety measures. They are re-opened for public by strict safety measures and limit the visitors to access the religious places on ‘Circuit Breaker’ Phase 3. Currently all visitors have to book the time slot through the website for the attendance. Therefore, there are not crowded in the monastery on each of the time slot by proper management.

This pandemic cause people to feel uneasy in life. Most of people looking for spiritual sustenance to calm and peace their mind. I have been long time never visit to the temple. Therefore, I registered though the website to visit this monastery on last weekend.

The 1st hall I was visited is the Hall of Great Compassion, which is located near to Gate 3. Gate 3 is mainly for pedestrians and bus passenger’s visitors to enter. The Hall of Great Compassion has one large Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva statue. We will sense the solemn and peace when stepping in the hall, the great compassion and wisdom of Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva has captured all the sentient beings who visit the place.

The architecture design of the building hall is more on Traditional Chinese design concept with colourful dragons and phoenix’s carving, which is represent the auspicious and wishful. The dragon carving on the building columns is another significant item and hot spot for photographers.

Continue my journey, I reached a splendid building, which’s called The Hall of Great Strength with dedicated the historical founder of Buddhism, Shakyamuni Buddha. The Shakyamuni Buddha statue with golden flashes and dazzling eyes. During Wesak Day and Buddhism festival, there are very crowded by visitors and do lights offering to Buddha. Both sides of front building hall have lion statues which has function of blocking the evil spirits and act as guardians of the hall.

Most of the building architecture and covered walkways in this monastery have the significant and colourful dragon crafting on the roof.

From one building hall walked to another building hall, there were many little monks statue placed neatly along the feature wall. They have different gestures and postures. Looking awesome and cute!

After walked through the long covered walkway, I reached a new constructed Meditation Hall which is dedicated with a huge Guanyin Bodhisattva Statue next to the Meditation Hall. The statue is surrounded by the wide reflective water pool.

The architecture design of this new constructed Meditation Hall is totally different design concept with surrounding existing buildings and halls. It is looking modern and gorgeous by vertical timbers connecting from 2nd floor to top floor. I think it will be better if added more green walls and green roof to soften the existing hard material surface.

Listening the gurgling water sound when I standing near to this water pond, all my worries are gone. The huge Guanyin Bodhisattva Statue is very elegant and solemn. Before entered the new constructed Meditation Hall, the ambience here already created my inner peace.

In front of new constructed Meditation Hall is a vegetables greenhouse which is built by monastery staffs and officers. It is follow the latest trend of urban farming concept and which is definitely a good idea to produce and supply the own vegetables to staffs and monks who staying in monastery.

Besides that, the vacant land in front of Venerable Hong Choon Memorial Hall was also planted many types of fruit trees, vegetables and herbal plants. The vegetables and fruit trees here were looking fresh and bushy, all grown very well such as papaya, brinjal, lady fingers, basils, lime, mint leaves, curry leaves, pandan leaves and so on.

A huge gold Buddha statue which is dedicated at the Hall of No Form, fourth level of the Venerable Hong Choon Memorial Hall. The visitors bowed their heads and worshipped in front of Buddha.

Sometime the Hall of No Form used for Buddhist events, such as chanting and puja, or meditation activities. The tranquillity and peace of the place is really good to do meditation here to find your inner peace.

The main access of the monastery has a nice rockery design concept water feature which acts as divider in between Gate 1 and Gate 2 driveway.

Thanks for reading. Have a peace and wonderful day!

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