SSA1208 / GES1005:
Everyday Life of Chinese Singaporeans: Past & Present
AY 2017/2018 Semester 1
Written Report on Puat Jit Buddhist Temple (般若念佛堂)
Tutorial DG: D8
App profile ID: 154
S/N Students’ Name
1. Chua Miao Ling Jolene
2. Jasmine Leong Jia Min
3. Jasmine Ow Shi Min
1 Introduction
The Puat Jit Buddhist Temple (般若念佛堂) is a Mahayana Buddhist temple with over 60 years of history. Since 2001, the temple has relocated and re-established itself at 61 Anchorvale Link, Singapore 545073 - a young and quiet neighbourhood with just a stone’s throw away from HDB estates and two other Chinese temples. The temple primarily consists of a Teochew community with over a hundred members, but it is open to all members of the public.
This report will discuss the history and background of the temple, the main Buddha and Bodhisattva, observations of the temple’s architecture, and the temple activities. It hopes to enhance the reader’s understanding and appreciation of Puat Jit Buddhist Temple’s practices and traditions of Mahayana Buddhism.
History and background information of the Puat Ji Buddhist Temple
Puat Jit Buddhist Temple was established in 1955 at Jalan Woodbridge when its founders, Bi Jun Hui, Zhang Yan Ying, Venerable Ben Dao, Venerable Zhi Fan and Venerable Hui Yuan, raised sufficient funds and received approval to construct the temple after villagers and patients from the former Woodbridge Hospital were keen to learn and practice Buddhism. As a result, the temple is not associated to any Mother temple, since it was birthed from the villagers’ and patients’ interest to explore more about Buddhist teachings. According to the temple caretaker, there were more members involved in the temple activities in the past as there are today.
The temple is mainly dedicated to Shakyamuni Buddha (释迦牟尼佛), wherein the white jade statue was brought over from Myanmar in 1956. In 1972, Guan Yin (观音) and Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva
(地藏王菩萨) statues were added to the temple after multiple requests were made by the devotees.
Despite being given a 99-year lease at Jalan Woodbridge, the government informed the temple in 1997 that a reacquisition of the land would take place, in order to carry out the construction work for the North East MRT line. Thereafter, the temple committee began to rally support and raise funds to build a new temple building, of which sits at its present location with a 30-year lease since 2001.
As mentioned, Puat Jit Buddhist temple is a Mahayana Buddhist temple. Mahayana Buddhism was a result of a reform movement which occurred in the Indian Buddhist community in the 1st century CE. One key feature of Mahayana Buddhism is a renewed concept of “merit”. In the earlier days of Buddhism, individuals could only gain merit for themselves. However, Mahayana Buddhism believes that merit could be shared and shifted to others, which brings the idea of altruism into Buddhism rituals
2 (Juergensmeyer & Roof, 2012). Mahayana Buddhism was introduced to Singapore as part of globalisation. Today, it is one of the three main Buddhist traditions practiced in Singapore, the other two, namely Theravada and Tibetan Vajrayana (Chia, 2009). Unlike Taoism, Buddhism is not associated with any element of xitai, spirit medium or procession.
Main Buddha and Bodhisattva of the temple1
The Puat Jit Buddhist Temple is dedicated to the Shakyamuni Buddha (释迦牟尼佛). He is known as the key person of Buddhism and the founder of Buddhism teachings who explicate teachings that offer solutions to human suffering. Awakened to the ultimate law underlying life and the universe, Buddhists recognized Shakyamuni Buddha as an enlightenment teacher who has attained full buddhahood. Every year, the Puat Jit Buddhist Temple celebrates four key events for Shakyamuni Buddha. These events include the Buddha’s birthday on the 8th Day in the 4th Lunar Month, which is the largest celebration held in the temple, the date where he enters Nirvana (15th Day in the 2nd Lunar Month), the Renunciation Day and Enlightenment Day on the 8th Day in the 2nd Lunar Month and the 8th Day in the 12th Lunar Month respectively.
Alongside with Shakyamuni Buddha, the temple also worshipped three bodhisattvas. One of them is Bu Dai (布袋), also well-known as the “Laughing Buddha (笑佛)”. He is usually identified with or seen as an incarnation of Maitreya Buddha - whom will be the successor of Shakyamuni Buddha. Bu Dai is a representation of both contentment and abundance. By worshipping him, Buddhists believe that he is able to bring wealth and prosperity to them.
Guan Yin (观音) is another bodhisattva that is highly respected by Buddhists. Traditionally, representations of the Bodhisattva were generally in her male form. Later in modern period, Guan Yin is portrayed as an exquisite female dressed in a robe, with white beads around her neck. She is commonly recognised as “Goddess of Mercy” and is referred to as the “most widely beloved Buddhist Divinity”. Buddhists pay respects to Guan Yin and believe that she will be able to assist them because of her miraculous power. The Puat Jit Buddhist Temple also celebrates Guan Yin’s Birthday, Renunciation day and Enlightenment day on the 19th Day in the 2nd Lunar Month, the 19th Day in the 6th Lunar Month and 19th Day in the 9th Lunar Month respectively.
Lastly, the temple is devoted to Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva (地藏王菩萨). He is clothed in a
Northern Buddhist monk’s robe and wears a “five-leave crown” that represents Dhyani Buddha
1 Refer to Appendix A: Photos on Main Buddha and Bodhisattva
3 (Buddha Dharma Education Association & Buddhanet, n.d.). Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva is famous for his vow not to achieve Buddhahood and to be responsible for all living beings in hell. Therefore, he is regarded as the Bodhisattva of hell-being and occupies a central role within the memorial hall of the temple. Similarly, on the 30th Day in the 7th Lunar Month, the temple honours the birth of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva.
Observations of the temple2
Upon arrival to the temple, it is clear that the temple looks relatively new and was constructed with a simple design. The main hall on the ground level, boasting high ceilings and a spacious area, is dedicated to Shakyamuni Buddha and Bu Dai. Similarly, on the third level, the Guan Yin statue and Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva statue sit with a large open space for devotees to pray. Memorial tablets are also placed at the temple columbarium, close to where Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva sits. Most of the time, fresh flowers, fruit offerings and oil lamps are placed on the offering tables. During significant celebrations, more elaborate set-ups will be used to honour the Buddha or Bodhisattvas.
The temple’s office area, resources and noticeboard are found in the second half of the main hall, located just behind the statue of Shakyamuni Buddha. The office is accessible to members or visitors who wish to make enquiries, give donations or sign up for the temple’s activities. Some of the resources made available for temple goers include books and CDs of Mahayana Buddhist teachings. Information about the temple’s activities, notable temple donors and the temples’ board members are also openly shared on the noticeboard. On the wall near the noticeboard, pictures of the temple’s founders are displayed, presumably to remind devotees of how and who first established the temple.
The interior architecture of the temple is uncomplicated with minimal intricate artefacts such as traditional inscribed beams, which can be found in traditional Chinese temples. For example, the censers placed around the temple are of the same simple design - made of black marble and the temple name inscribed in gold - and most offering tables are made of plain wood with a marble top. Only two couplets can be found in the temple - one at the main entrance and one on the sides of Shakyamuni Buddha statue.
However, there are some key features and intriguing objects in the temple albeit the use of simple censers and offering tables. Firstly, a large bell and drum is situated at the courtyard and they are mostly used during important celebrations. While it is unclear where the bell originates from, it appears to be made specially for the temple, apparent from the temple’s name inscribed onto the bell. Secondly, a large chinese ‘wooden fish drum’ and chinese bowl gong are placed on the two ends of the
2 Refer to Appendix B: Photos on observations of the temple and Appendix C: Temple Layout
4 offering table of Shakyamuni Buddha. A smaller version of the drum and gong can also be found on the offering table for Guan Yin and Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva. These are used by monks during chanting or praying sessions. Light towers, comprising of smaller Buddha and Bodhisattva statues labelled with individual or family names, can also be found on the two ends of Shakyamuni Buddha and Guan Yin. According to the caretaker of the temple, devotees make donations to include their names on the light towers as they believe that it brings blessings to themselves or their family.
Finally, it is also observed that tools such as Moon Blocks (筊杯), Cim bucket (签筒) containing
100 fortune sticks for divination lots and holy water are made available to members or visitors. As explained by the caretaker of the temple, seeking divination is seen as a valued tradition in the temple whereby devotees, who may feel troubled or ambivalent, can seek for Shakyamuni Buddha’s or Guan Yin’s advices if they desire to. The holy water can be drank in small amounts or used for washing of one’s body, and it is commonly used as a form of blessing and protection, as well as a way to cleanse one’s self.
Temple activities
The temple appears to be relatively active throughout the year. Apart from celebrating significant dates of the aforementioned Buddha and Bodhisattvas, the temple also honours the birthday of Maitreya Buddha on the 1st Day of the 1st Lunar Month and the birthday of Medicine Buddha, which falls on the 30th Day of 9th Lunar Month. Additionally, the Eve of Maitreya Buddha’s Birthday and the 9th Day of the Lunar New Year are also celebrated to welcome the arrival of a brand new year and to give prayers to the Heaven God (天公) respectively.
Other notable annual activities include Tomb-sweeping Day (清明节) and the Hungry Ghost
Festival (中元节) which are commemorated by devotees. For Puat Jit Buddhist temple, these are the days when descendants visit their ancestors’ tablets to pay respects. Vegetarian food offerings are presented in front of the ancestral tablets and rituals of prayers conducted by monks or veteran are observed. Descendents pay respects to their ancestors by kneeling and kowtowing before the tablet, while holding the lighted joss sticks in their hands.
Additionally, the temple also carries out chanting and praying ceremonies led by monks on a daily basis at different timings, and these sessions are open to devotees to participate in. The Chinese fish drum and bowl gong would be used in these sessions.
5 Conclusion
Despite the simple, delicate beauty of Mahayana Buddhism and temples, such as the Puat Jit Buddhist Temple, adhering to its teachings, the lack of visitors and shrinking number of members seems to foretell the future of the local Chinese temple network scene. Although Mahayana Buddhism was introduced to Singapore as part of globalisation, it is increasingly evident that globalisation has also resulted in a diverse range of ideologies to seep into the country’s social fabric. Therefore, the traditions and practices of Mahayana Buddhism are progressively displaced by cultures which appeal more to the younger generation. Another rising cause of worry for temples is the country’s ever-changing landscape, where land is commonly reacquired by the authorities and redeveloped in the country’s bid for an expanding modernity. However, in the midst of her pursue, religions such as Mahayana Buddhism are inevitably taking a backseat. As the country continues to advance, it is difficult to envision the future of temples, such as Puat Jit Buddhist Temple. If a rekindled passion to dwell in traditional teachings and practices does not precede the revival of the religion among the next generation, it is apparent where the fate of Singapore’s Chinese temple scene lies.
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References
Buddha Dharma Education Association & Buddhanet. (n.d.). Ti Tsang P'usa: Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva. Retrieved from http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/history/tstang-txt.htm
Chia, J. M. T. (2009). Buddhism in Singapore: A State of the Field Review. Retrieved from https://works.bepress.com/jackchia/3/
Juergensmeyer, M., & Roof, W. C. (2012). Encyclopedia of global religion (1st ed.). Thousand Oaks, Calif: SAGE.
7 Appendix A: Photos on Main Buddha and Bodhisattva
Figure 1.1: Shakyamuni Buddha (释迦牟尼佛) Figure 1.2: Bu Dai (布袋)
Figure 1.3: Guan Yin (观音) Figure 1.4: Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva (地藏王菩萨)
8 Appendix B: Photos on observations of the temple
Figure 2.1: View of temple from afar
Figure 2.2: Temple main hall
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Figure 2.3: Level 3 – Sub Hall (Guan Yin and Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva)
Figure 2.4: Flowers and offerings placed on the offering table
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Figure 2.5: Office area and resources
Figure 2.7: Temple offering table made of wood with marble top
Figure 2.6: Temple censer
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Figure 2.8: Temple bell Figure 2.9: Temple drum
Figure 3.0: Chinese bowl gong Figure 3.1: Chinese ‘wooden fish drum’
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Figure 3.2: Light tower Figure 3.3: Close up view of the Light tower (comprise of smaller Buddha and Bodhisattvas statues labelled with individual or family names)
Figure 3.4: Divination lots Figure 3.5: Holy water
13 Appendix C: Temple Layout
Ground level
Temple back area (Restricted Access) Entrance to basement
carpark
Shelves
Lift
Cabinets
Toilets
Office
Notice board Notice
Up
Lights Lights
Siddhārtha Gautama
) (释迦牟尼佛)
Offering table
all around hall around all Gong drum Main hall
Bu Dai above doors (upper wall (upper doors above (笑佛) Offering
table Donor names Donor
Stone Stone lion lion
"zhong ji ding” Censer Offering table
Censer
Drum Courtyard Bell Stone Stone lion lion Main Gate
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Level 3 (level 2 is restricted)
Lift
Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva Memorial table Memorial (地藏王菩萨)
Offering table
Memorial tablets Memorial
t
s
Up Censer
Guan Yin (观音) lights lights
Offering table
Second hall
Censer
Main Gate
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