GES1005 EVERYDAY LIFE OF CHINESE ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ SINGAPOREANS: PAST AND PRESENT ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

TEMPLE VISIT GROUP ESSAY ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ POH ERN SHIH (报恩寺) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ APP PROFILE ID: 179 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

TUTORIAL GROUP D3 ​ ​ ​ ​ CHOO SHI YUN CLAUDIA ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ PEH CHING HUI TIMOTHY ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ LEE JIA MIN, CHARMAINE ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

1. Introduction Our group visited Poh Ern Shih Temple (报恩寺), situated at 9 Chwee Chian Road, Singapore 117488. It is currently managed by the grandson of the founder, Mr Lee Boon Siong and his wife, Mdm Connie Lee Khai Lai. The temple opens daily from 6am to 6pm and is a 10 minutes walk away from CC26 Pasir Panjang MRT station. Visitors, regardless of race or religion, can contact the temple at 6474 3926 or visit their website, http://www.pohernshih.info, ​ ​ to know more about their monthly activities and events. It does not have any connections with any other temples, and is currently self-supported by volunteers and two part-time employees. There is no specific dialect associated with the temple and no membership system as well. An interview with Mdm Lee, allowed us to gain insights of the history of the temple, which will be addressed in this report. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

1.1. Background of Poh Ern Shih ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ The temple was established in 11 April 1952 by Mr Lee Choon Seng to commemorate the lives lost during the Japanese Occupation, including the fallen invaders, allied forces and innocent victims, as well as to express his gratitude towards surviving from an ambush in 1942 (See Appendix B). It has not shifted from its current location for the past 65 years, originating as a small single storey temple on the steep Chwee Chian Hill (Figure 25). The temple has always been under the supervision of the Lee family throughout the years, passing down from the founder to his third and fourth son before Mr Lee Boon Siong, currently 78 years old, took over. The temple has been registered as a charity organisation by the founder in the 1950s and has since been sustaining on the contributions of family members and devotees. Over the years, Poh Ern Shih has been also involved in several notable milestones, such as hosting Venerable Sumangalo in December 1959, the first Caucasian abbot of a Buddhist temple in Singapore. Together with Miss Pitt Chin Hui, a female Buddhist pioneer, the duo were able to spread Buddhist teachings to English speaking communities, through the combined effort of translating the Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva Sutra from Chinese to English. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ The property is holding onto a freehold lease and is not expected to shift to another location in the near future due to its unique geographical location, allowing the view of both the sea and the hills nearby (Figure 24). Together with the devotees, the staffs contribute back to the temple out of goodwill as they believe that the good merit accumulated over time will allow them to lead a better afterlife, contrary to monetary assets that only stay in the current world. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

1.2. Transformation of Poh Ern Shih ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Over the years, retaining walls had been built around the temple’s premises, otherwise the temple would be forced to leave its current location. In 1996, reconstruction plans for the old temple were initiated by Mr Lee Boon Siong, a passionate environmentalist who firmly believes in the Buddha’s teaching of conserving our environment. He pushed for the idea of using green technology in the new temple building. The planning continued for 6 years with repeated rejections by the URA before finally gaining approval. In 2005, the old temple was officially torn down for reconstruction and was reopened on 11 April 2011, coinciding with the date of the opening of the original temple on 11 April 1952 (Figure 27). Modernised infrastructure were to appeal to the younger generation as well as to accommodate to the devotees. New features of the temple included the 6-storeys office wing, 7-storeys pagoda, main Ksitigarbha prayer hall and 108 Dharma prayer wheels. Poh Ern Shih is also Singapore’s first eco friendly temple. In an effort to be environmentally friendly, no air-conditioning is used in the temple premises. An example would be the

main prayer hall which cools itself by allowing hot air to rise and escape through the vent in the ceiling (Figure 18). Since 2009, the self-sufficient temple has generated its own electricity for lighting and heating by converting solar, kinetic, and hydraulic energy to electricity. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

1.2.1 Green Technologies ​ ​ ​ ​ The temple has a variety of solar panels within the premises, on the pagoda (Figure 22(a)) and the tiled roof (Figure 22(b)). Different types of solar panels were used to account for different intensities of sunlight. Other than solar panels, the temple also has wind turbines that harness breezes from the sea, and the generated power is used to charge electric wheelchairs for the elderly. Hydroelectric generators were installed on the hollows of temple beams. When rainwater passes through from the highest floor, it generates electricity. Water storage tanks (Figure 23) were installed to collect and reuse rainwater, using pipes installed within the temple. Purified water will be bottled and blessed to become holy water for the devotees, whereas unpurified rainwater is used for washing and cleaning of the temple, as well as to irrigate plants. Tap water is rarely used in the temple, as even for washing of dishes, tap water is only used at the third stage of washing - to rinse off the soap on dishes. Even then, the used water is accumulated for the removal of scrap food left on the dishes. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

1.2.2 Elderly Friendly ​ ​ ​ ​ As there are many elderly devotees, the temple has wheelchair-accessible facilities, gentle slope extending from the gates to the upper levels (Figure 5) to allow elderly to go up without much difficulties. There are also “Call-for-help” buttons and dual-lock systems installed inside toilet cubicles in case of emergencies. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

1.2.3 108 Dharma Wheels ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ There are 108 Dharma Wheels along the slope to upper levels (Figure 6). The Dharma Wheels follow the teaching of Tibetan cultures whereby one turn of the wheel equates to reciting a complete sutra. When people go up the slope, they will turn the Dharma Wheels to protect the temple and to help “recite the sutra”, praying for their loved ones. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

1.2.4 100 Gold-plated Gautama Buddha Statues ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ There are 100 gold-plated Gautama Buddha statues opposite the Dharma Wheels (Figure 7). A spiritual master had once visited the temple for an event and brought the statues along with him. After the event, he randomly appointed 100 worshippers to pay and bring the statues home. However, not everyone was willing to do so because they were not informed beforehand. Hence, Mr Lee Choon Seng decided to pay for all 100 statues and kept them within the temple. In addition, the statues were gold-plated and a wall was built at the side of the temple to place all the statues. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

2. Temple Layout ​ ​ The completed temple comprises of 7 storeys. The first storey is the temple hall (Figure 12), linked to the kitchen. The dining hall (五观堂) is located on the 2nd storey, which is occasionally converted to a sleeping area during events. The 3rd storey houses the main prayer hall (Figure 16), used for rituals and events. Levels 4 to 6 are dormitories for nuns to reside in before they embark on the next phase in their journey, while the roof level provides visitors with an aerial view of the temple’s surroundings. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

2.1. Temple Courtyard, Entrance and Hall ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ A prominent statue of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva wearing a 毗卢帽, which is bought by Mr Lee Boon Siong, can be seen once we enter the temple hall (Figure 13). There are also 200 miniature statues of the Goddess of Mercy placed on the wall behind, to signify the support provided to the Bodhisattva. On the left of the temple courtyard, there is a small altar (十方无主孤魂) (Figure 4) to pray to, for lost spirits to enter the temple if they are afraid to do so without permission.

2.2. Main Prayer Hall ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ The main prayer hall is normally used for events. A white jade statue of the Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, bought by Mr Lee Choon Seng, can be seen at the front of the hall (Figure 19). We were told that the Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva was not wearing the Pi Lu hat to embody his human form, compared to the temple hall statue symbolising its Bodhisattva form. There are also lights placed behind the Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva which is said to signify light and brightness. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

2.3. Ancestral Hall ​ ​ ​ ​ The ancestral hall is located at the back of the temple, on the second level (Figure 8). ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

3. Gods 3.1. Main God ​ ​ ​ ​ We were told that in Buddhist temples, there is no main god that devotees pray to. Instead, devotees worship the Buddha and the Bodhisattvas. The main Bodhisattva in the temple is Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva (地藏王菩薩). Mdm Lee said that the founder chose this Bodhisattva not only for his role of relieving the sufferings of the deceased during the Second World War, but also because of the emphasis on filial piety and family behind his teachings. He is believed to have taken numerous forms throughout different eras to experience the life of others, and to provide assistance along the way to others in need. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

3.2. Secondary Gods ​ ​ ​ ​ Together with Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, Guan Yu is placed on the left, while Bodhisattva Skanda (韋馱菩薩) is placed on the right. The Manjushri Bodhisattva (文殊菩薩) is placed in front of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva. Despite being widely recognised as a Taoist Deity, Guan Yu is also known in the Buddhist teachings as Bodhisattva Sangharama or 伽藍菩薩, in charge of fortune and money. The horizontal placement of Bodhisattva Skanda’s scroll signifies that the temple accepts all forms of teaching and sutra. The Manjushri Bodhisattva is often prayed to for wisdom. We were told that the taoists deities were being brought in by Mr Lee Choon Seng, probably due to the close relationship that Taoism shares with Buddhism. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

In a separate altar (Figure 14), the Buddha of Medicine, along with the 12 Heavenly Medicinal Generals, can be found with the Sun and Moon Bodhisattvas. We were told that each general possesses 7000 medicine and if an illness cannot be treated, it is a sign of the accumulation of karma which can only be cured by gaining merits and repenting to Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva. The Buddha of Medicine was added at a later timing, due to many people falling sick. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

4. Temple Artifacts ​ ​ ​ ​ 4.1. Plaques and Couplets ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Only two plaques can be found in the temple. The one at the temple hall (Figure 3) refers to the name of the temple. The other one can be found at the entrance of the main prayer hall (Figure 21). ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

The only handwritten couplets in the temple are found on the side of the bell located in the main prayer hall (Figure 20). The couplets are to call upon the Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva to listen to the people’s prayers. A pair of couplets reading “南無大願地藏王菩薩” can be seen in the temple hall and the main prayer hall as well. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

4.2. Censers ​ ​ No inscriptions or writings were found on the censer (Figure 13, Figure 19). However, we noted that the temple uses coiled incense instead of the joss sticks that we commonly see in other temples. The burning of the coiled incense has to be done in the clockwise direction, otherwise it will meant that our prayers will be reversed. When offering their incense, devotees will place them in the bigger censer (Figure 3). The smaller censers (Figure 13, Figure 19) is specific for use during ritual chanting. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

4.3. Drum and Bell ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ The drum (Figure 20) is to signal to the demi-gods and semi-devils (天龍八部) in the heavens that the sutra chanting will begin. There is only one bell (Figure 20) in the temple which is located in the main prayer hall. The ringing of the ​ bell is to ask Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva to protect the devotees, as well as to inform the deities that they are going to start a ritual. During Chinese New Year’s Eve, devotees will queue up to ring the bell and make a wish to the Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva. ​ ​

5. Activities and Processions ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ As there is no chief spiritual master appointed by the temple, it often recruits different masters, who arranges the date of the Puja with the temple, to chant various sutras. The birthday of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva is celebrated on the 29th Day of the 7th month in the Lunar calendar every year, which was decided by the founder and has been passed down till now. ​ ​

The temple also carry out processions and activities during the Lunar New Year, Vesak Day and the Hungry Ghost Festival. During the 9th day of the Lunar New Year, a day of repentance and to give thanks to the 天宮, volunteers ​ ​ ​ would contribute in whichever way they can to prepare a feast for the elderly, which is a tradition passed down from the founder till now. Red packets with a small amount of cash would also be given to the elders to please them. On Vesak Day, which the temple celebrates on the 15th day of the 4th lunar month, begins with a chanting in the morning, followed by a mini vegetarian food fair. With the aim of educating the younger generation on the proceedings of Vesak Day, devotees will conduct the “three-step, one-bow” ritual around the compound of the temple and the light transference ceremony at night. During the Hungry Ghost Festival, chantings are conducted every afternoon for the spirits. On the last day of the 7th month, a three hours ritual 焰口 will be done at the main prayer hall by six monks for ​ hungry ghosts with needle-like necks to consume food. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

The temple also conducts various sutra chanting sessions, Dharma talks and Pujas for the Bodhisattvas in both Chinese and English, to cater to audiences with different backgrounds. Unlike Taoism, the practice of Buddhism does not have xitai, spirit mediums or the burning of incense paper. They mainly focus on the chanting of the sutra and understanding of the teaching of the Buddha. Currently, the temple offers its venue every weekend for devotees to practice origin point therapy 原始點療法 and Longevitology 长生学 with the elderly. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

6. Difficulties faced by the temple ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Being self-supported and registered under charity, no subsidies or bank loans were granted to the temple to run its activities. The temple is still in the process of paying outstanding loan to Hong Leong Finance, and currently relies on donations from the public and devotees to repay its debt, and to support the daily functions within the temple. The temple also faces a shortage of manpower to help maintain its compound. Mdm Lee hopes that in the coming years, people will grow to appreciate the temple and look after its premises on their own accord. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

7. Interesting Stories and Discoveries ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ According to Mdm Lee, when the temple was first established in the early 1950s, people could hear chanting being done in the main hall at night, when no one was present. This serves as an indication for the founder that the spirits needed a place to reside in our realm before moving on. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

In 2003, the temple management also visited Reflections @ Bukit Chandu, and was told by the staff there that doors would occasionally swing open and close on its own. Accompanied by a spiritual master, the temple staffs did a ritual of “three-step, one-bow” at the heritage site and unexplainably, the occurrences of the doors opening on its own became less frequent. ​ ​ ​ ​

8. Future plans of Poh Ern Shih ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ There is currently no recent developments in the temple apart from the recent upgrade of greener technologies. In recent years, Mdm Lee has also invited Dr Ho Yi Kai from the Confucius Institute in Nanyang Technological University to take on the role as the director of Poh Ern Shih. Mdm Lee intends to make a stone carving on the history of the founder but has yet found anyone to do so. She plans to place signboards at different parts of the temple to explain its significance of the features as well. In the future, she also hopes to utilise the temple’s premises for caregiving of elders with dementia while imparting the teachings of Buddhism to them. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

9. Group Reflection ​ ​ From this visit, our group now understands that there is a clear distinction between Taoism and Buddhism in their practices. Buddhism focuses mainly on sutra chanting and worshipping the higher power so as to improve oneself, and eventually be able to achieve enlightenment one day. The teachings of Buddhism do not force one to be a Buddhist but converges at the idea of gaining merits, which will reap its benefits in the near future. Simply putting it across, virtue is its own reward and we should help those in need, to the best of our abilities. While Poh Ern Shih remains undaunted by the challenges it faces, it is important for our current generation to preserve the current heritage that the temple offers before it gradually disappears in the long run. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

References

1. Poh Ern Shih 报恩寺. Retrieved October 26, 2017, from ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ http://www.beokeng.com/disptemple.php?temple=poh-ern-shih

2. Poh Ern Shih, 九华山报恩寺 Temple of Thanksgiving. (n.d.). Retrieved October 26, 2017, from ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ http://www.chinatownology.com/Poh_Ern_Shih.html

3. Lim, I. (2012, May 14). A Singaporean temple goes ahead in practicing green energy. Retrieved October 26, ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 2017, from http://www.theasian.asia/archives/15547 ​ ​ ​ ​​

4. Poh Ern Shih Temple. (n.d.). Retrieved October 26, 2017, from ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Poh_Ern_Shih_Temple

Appendix A ​ ​

Temple Layout: Level 1 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Temple Layout: Level 2 - Ancestral Hall ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Temple Layout: Level 3 - Main Prayer Hall ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Figure 1: Main entrance of the temple ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Figure 2: Temple courtyard and entrance ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Figure 3: Entrance to temple hall, along with a big censer ​ ​ ​ ​​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Figure 4: Prayer altar for lost spirits ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Figure 5: Ramp leading up to the upper levels of the temple ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Figure 6: 108 Dharma wheels leading up to the upper levels ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Figure 7: 100 gold-plated Gautama Buddha statues ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Figure 8: Entrance to the ancestral hall ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Figure 9: Back of the temple ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Figure 10: Walkway of the side of the temple Figure 11: Staircase leading to the temple entrance ​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Figure 12: Interior of the temple hall ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Figures 15(a), 15(b), 15(c): Various donation boxes within the temple ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Figure 16: Main prayer hall ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Figure 17: Back-side of the main prayer hall ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Figure 18: Main prayer hall ceiling with the vent ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Figure 19: Main prayer hall altar ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Figure 20: Temple artifacts ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Figure 21: Plaque above the main prayer hall entrance, “大硕宝殿”. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ It signifies that the main prayer hall is a sacred place that is specific to the Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Figure 22(a): Solar panels installed on the pagoda Figure 22(b): Solar panels installed on the tiled roof ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Figure 23: Water storage tanks ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Figure 24(a): Aerial view of temple facing the hill Figure 24(b): Aerial view of temple facing the sea ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Figure 25: Model of old Poh Ern Shih ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Figure 26: Model of current Poh Ern Shih ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Figure 27: Plaque for the re-opening of Poh Ern Shih ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Appendix B ​ ​ Background of founder, Mr Lee Choon Seng ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Mr Lee Choon Seng was a passionate community leader and also the Honorary President of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Singapore back in the 1940s. He had 4 wives, 8 sons and 9 daughters. The current president of the temple, Mr Lee Boon Song, is the son of the third son, Mr Lee Chin Gee, that Mr Lee Choon Seng had with his second wife. Before the establishment of the temple, Mr Lee has been actively involved in the spread of Buddhism even outside of Singapore. One of the notable efforts was the establishment of the Chinese Buddhist Temple in Sarnath, India in 1932. His memorial tablet was found near to one of the mango trees there when Mdm Lee paid a visit to the temple in 2003. The current owner of the temple still possesses the original title deed with Mr Lee’s name on it. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ During the Japanese Occupation, Mr Lee was the Vice-Chairman of the Overseas-Chinese Association (OCA) and was tasked by the Japanese military police to resolve a strike by Johore Chinese rubber tappers at the Endau settlement. However, he and his team was ambushed by the Malayan Communist Party guerillas, leaving his companions all dead, together with the Japanese convoy that was following them. Mr Lee miraculously survived from the attack by the protection of the OCA badge on his left chest which the bullet hit and the incident reaffirmed his faith in Buddhism. Hence, this led to the establishment of the Poh Ern Shih Temple. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Portraits of Lee Choon Seng ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Photo taken in 2003 of the Chinese Buddhist Temple in Sarnath, India ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​