I do apologise if the website has turned into a hodgepodge with the inclusion of this section. Nor is my intention to make it a photo travelogue site.

However, last Saturday, twiddling with my "loose time" and armed with a digital camera (on loan from my sister), I decided to squander that lovely day by visiting the oldest Buddhist monastery in Singapore, whose renovation was completed recently. I managed to capture some splendid, hard-to-come-by photos by tirelessly dodging the temple caretakers in this sarced, absolutely "photography-forbidden" place. Though a mere dilettante in photography, I took great pride and satisfaction in my work. And nothing can be more gratifying than to share one's harvest with someone. Therefore, I decided to temporary house this section here before finding a more appropriate place (maybe create a travelogue site).

Situated in the heartland of an urban residential area, the oldest Buddhist monastery in Singapore, Siong Lim (Shuang Lin) temple, sits in stark contrast with the surrounding modern high-rise concrete buildings. Strangely, the temple blends well with the bounding landscape by softening the cold, sharp, imposing, box-like structures everywhere.

The full name of the temple is Lian Shan Shuang Lin Si (Twin Grove of the Lotus Mountain Temple). The construction started in 1898 and took 11 years to complete and was regarded as an architecture masterpiece of the nineteenth century. Drawing resources and expert craftmen from Fuzhou, Quanzhou and Zhangzhou province, the construction reflected architectural style unique to each area and as well as blending them to create an eclectic flavour that stands unique to this day.

(Click thumbnail to view its enlarged image)

 

The pagoda forms a contrasting skyline with the surrounding.

The temple lies in the heart of an urban residential area.

An aerial view of front courtyard of the temple.

Though the monastary had remained fairly intact without serious structural damage, it had become dilapidated through the ravages of time, weather and war. The temple underwent a decade-long restoration which began in 1991 and ended last year. About 80 craftsmen from China were hired for the restoration work in order to preserve as much as possible its original architectural style.

The Siong Lim Temple is an example of 'Cong Lin' ("layers of forest") temples which are constructed according to a prescribed layout. Upon arrival, you will be greeted by two magnificent gates which typify most traditional Chinese-style architecture for temple. Standing 9.1 metres tall, the structures were built with stone for their pillars and wood for roofs. Each pillar was carved from a single slab of stone. Beautiful Chinese calligraphy was inscribed on each pillar, giving the gates a majestic and poetic presence.

Two 9.1 metres gates greet you upon arrival.

The view of the main entrance into the temple.

The view of the main entrance from inside the temple.

After the first courtyard, we will see the Maitreya Buddha or the Laughing Buddha as most Chinese would call him. He occupies a central position in all our shrine. In authentic Buddhism, Maitreya Buddha symbolises the "future Buddha," the one who will come in the distant future to revive Buddhist teachings and bring an end of suffering, a theme common in all religions about the promised coming of a saviour. Perhaps, it is this hope that we, human, can put to rest our primordial fear and anxiety.

 

The two of the four heavenly guardians of Buddhist's teachings on sentry.

Blissful and contented, the Maitreya or the Laughing Buddha smiling at you.

The other two of the four heavenly guardians of Buddhist's teachings on sentry.

The main hall of the temple is called Da Xiong Bao Dian (Mahavira Hall). Unfortunately, I was chased out by the temple administrators before I could snap anything.

Supposedly an incense holder but now used as a decorum.

The main hall of the temple - Mahavira Hall.

The West entrance of the temple.

In the hall stand three Buddha statues. In the middle is Buddha Vairocana with joined palms, which in sanskrit means "illuminating all over". He is Sakyamuni, the founder of Buddhism. On the left of Buddha Sakyamuni is Bodhisattva Manjusri, symbolising wisdom and might. On the right of Buddha is Bodhisattva Samantabhadra indicating luck, reason and virtue. Both bodhisattvas are assistants to Sakyamuni.

Buddha in a reclining posture

Tablets of some eminent Buddhist monks.

Buddha Sakyamuni, Bodhisattva Manjusri and Samantabhadra.

Since this is a Chan (or Zen) Buddhist temple, much of the architectural designs adhere to the Chan's principle of simplicity. The walkway and the ceiling, to name two, deployed a simple but elegant style of symmetry that blends harmoniously with its surrounding.

The walkway deployed a simple but elegant style.

The Chan or zen-like concept used in its ceiling structure. See those modern lightings.

The embroidered roof structure.

In another part of the court houses the shrine of Guanyu, the deity of war who symbolises loyalty, justice, and braveness. As far as to my limited knowledge of the Chinese history, Guanyu was never a monk or having any thing to do with buddhism (I could be wrong). His inclusion in the pantheon could be due to his popularity among the Chinese people, when temples could leverage on his popularity to reach out to the masses.

Guanyin, or Avalokitesvara, the Bodhisattva of compassion, is another figure revered by most Chinese. For some reasons or another, Guanyin usually assumes a female form in China, whereas in the rest of the world - Tibet, Nepal - she takes either a male or asexual  appearance.

Another deity, I guess.

Guanyu, deity of war.

Bodhisattva Guanyin.

Another place not to be missed is the Dragon Light Pagoda. The 29 metres tall octagonal seven-storey structure, adorned with carvings of beautiful Buddhist motifs, is constructed mainly from granite. Unfortunately, the gate was locked, else I might get to snap some spectacular shots from the Pagoda's top.

A section of the wall to the temple.

The Dragon Light Pagoda.

A stern reminder to people like myself that the taking of photos is strictly forbidden.

I always wonder why the taking of photos in the temple is forbidden.

Leo Kee Chye

28 April 2003