SSA1208 Everyday Life of Chinese Singaporeans: Past & Present
TEMPLE VISIT ESSAY
Temple Name: Ban Hock Temple (万福宫)
App Profile ID: 144
Tutorial Group: D12
Group Members:
May Chan
Tan Xin Hui Zoey
Ten Jia Shun
This report aims to give readers an insightful look into Ban Hock Temple (万福宮). Located at 489 Serangoon North Avenue 1, Ban Hock Temple is one of the 5 temples located in a united temple - Teng San Tian Hock (镇山天福宫) (Appendix A). Chapter 1 will give a brief introduction into Teng San Tian Hock, with subsequent chapters delving deeper into Ban Hock Temple and the interesting facts that the group has learnt during the temple visit.
1.0 TENG SAN TIAN HOCK (镇山天福宫)
1.1 HISTORY
Teng San Tian Hock (镇山天福宫) comprises of 5 different temples – Ban Hock Temple
(万福宮)，Ann San Temple (安山庙), Leng Tian Keng (龙镇宫), Kiat Leng San Temple (吉龙山庙) and Cheo Teik Temple (石竹庙). The floorplan of the temple can be found in Appendix B. These 5 temples came together to form the united temple due to their past geographical locations (Appendix C). These 5 temples were initially located in the vicinity of Lorong Chuan and Ang Mo Kio but were forced to relocate in the early 1980s due to land acquisition by the government to construct the current Ang Mo Kio Depot. The current site in 489 Serangoon North Ave 1 was awarded to these temples in 1983 and construction started not long after in that current year. All 5 temples shifted into the new compound in 27th June 1985, the 10th day of the 5th month in the lunar calendar (农历五月初十).
The lease of the land expired in 2013 but was renewed after approval from the relevant authorities for another 30 years. After obtaining the renewal, the temple undergone a 2nd phase of renewal works in 2015 and was completed in 2016.
1.2 GODS OF THE TEMPLE
Each of the 5 temples has their own main gods and is listed in Table 1 below. It is interesting to note that the even though each have their own main god, the main god for the Teng San Tian Hock (镇山 天福宫) is 正顺尊王, the main God of Ann San Temple. It is also said that the temple has the most number of gilded statues in Singapore. Table 1 below shoes the main Gods for the respective 5 temples.
Temple Main God
Ann San Temple 正顺尊王
Ban Hock Temple 大伯公 Cheo Teik Temple 武德英侯
2 Kiat Leng San Temple 包府大人 Leng Tian Keng 赵大天君 Table 1: List of Main Gods for the 5 temples.
1.3 RITUALS
A spirit medium will appear in the week to represent different Gods to the devotees. The respective Gods will ‘possess’ a human being (乩童), acting as a middleman for devotees to ‘communicate’ with the God. Table 2 shows the schedule of the appearance of the spirit medium. Rituals will be conducted during events such as the various Gods’ Birthday and the Seventh Month.
Temple God Days of the week Leng Tian Keng 赵大天君 Tuesday & Friday Kiat Leng San Temple 包府大人 Thursday & Sunday Table 2: Schedule of the appearance of spirit medium
2.0 BAN HOCK TEMPLE (万福宫)
2.1 HISTORY
Ban Hock Temple (万福宮), also known as 镇安祠, was originally located on Sanhe Village Hill (三 合村山丘). It was said that during the God’s birthday, which falls on the first day of second month of the lunar calendar, a snake would appear at the foot of the altar and will only leave after the birthday. This rare sighting soon spread in the village and many devotees flocked to the temple to witness this unusual occurrence.
2.2 MAIN GOD – TUA PEK KONG (大伯公) & NA TUK KONG (拿督公)
The main god of Ban Hock Temple is Tua Pek Kong (大伯公) while the main god of Zhen An Temple is Na Tuk Kong (拿督公). Tua Pek Kong and Na Tuk Kong have a unique ‘brotherhood’ and they are usually paired together. Such unique combination of Gods of different origin was said to be extremely rare back in the past.
Tua Pek Kong originates from a temple known as ‘福德寺’, which gives Tua Pek Kong another name called 福德正神. The Hakka brought over Tua Pek Kong to Singapore from Guangdong. Upon close observation, the statue of Tua Pek Kong is a benevolent old man dressed in ‘员外装’ with crutches in one hand and ingot in the other (Appendix D). It is said to hold some similarities to that of the God of the Earth (土地公) from the Southern part of China.
3 Na Tuk Kong is a guardian spirit and an earth deity who has taken various forms across different periods and places across Southeast Asia, attracting devotees of different ethnicities and faiths.
On the altar of Nak Tuk Kong, there are a total of 3 items that symbolise the God. It comprises of a statue of Na Tuk Kong, and 2 paintings of Na Tuk Kong (Appendix E). The statue of Na Tuk Kong is commonly represented by a Malay man dressed in Traditional Malay Costume, wearing a formal Songkok on the head, Keris (Malay sword) & other traditional Malay court regalia and ceremonial objects would also be placed on the altar. The painting of Na Tuk Kong was drawn about 60 years ago. It is said that an image of Na Tuk Kong appeared in the artist’s dream so that he could draw out an accurate impression of Na Tuk Kong.Even though Tua Pek Kong and Na Tuk Kong are paired together, the altar for both gods are separated as no pork offerings can be made to Na Tuk Gong. As such, out of respect, the altar for Na Tuk Kong must be separated.
2.3 MAIN EVENTS
One of the most notable events for Tua Pek Kong is his Birthday, also the largest event that takes place in Ban Hock Temple. It is a 3-day celebration that takes place annually. The Tua Pek Kong birthday (千秋) is generally celebrated on the second day of the second lunar month (农历二月初二). On the second day of the birthday (初二), also known as 神诞, devotees will come forth to the temple to give offerings such as pastries - ‘huat kueh (发糕)’ and ‘ang ku kueh’ for Tua Pek Kong. They will also get red packets (求红包) from Tua Pek Kong for blessings (保平安). On the third day (初三), the temple will organise a banquet of approximately 80 tables each year to cater to the members/devotees of the temple. While enjoying the meals, the attendees can also auction for items such as pails of rice, statues of the deities, lanterns, or even ‘huat kueh’.
3.0 INTERESTING FACTS
During our visit to the temple, several interesting features were observed. Firstly, the threshold board at the entrance of the temple is much higher than other temples’, which is constructed in accordance to China’s tradition (Appendix F). We were told that the high threshold board serves 2 purposes. One is to force devotees to look downwards when entering the temple as a sign of respect to the deities. The other is to keep ghosts and spirits out of the temple, as it is believed that ghosts shuffle their feet when walking and thus will trip over the threshold board if they try to enter.
Secondly, our group observed that there was a willow tree branch hanging from the ceiling of the temple (Appendix G). The willow tree symbolises humility in Chinese culture. By hanging the willow branch at the ceiling, it is hoped that the devotees will be able to attain the virtue of humility. In addition, the Chinese also believes that willow can ward off evil spirits.
4 Just next to the willow branch, is a Bagua (八卦) painted onto the ceiling (Appendix H). At the center of the symbol is the yin and yang symbol. Surrounding it is eight (八) areas (卦) representing 8 different elements. Each individual area shows 3 line symbols. The two short lines symbol is yin (阴) which represents the receptive (female) force of nature while the one continuous line symbol is yang （阳), which represents the creative (male) force of nature. According to Feng Shui belief, the Bagua is used to stabilize, protect, adjust or restore balance in one’s life. Hanging on the walls of the temple are 72 individual pictures of traditional Chinese folklore, 36 on each side of the temple (Appendix I). These 72 individual characters each have a backstory on its own.
One of the interesting features of the temple is that it houses a ‘lucky’ axe that belongs to ‘金府元帅’. (Appendix J). It is said that the axe will bring good fortune to those who are able to see the lucky numbers that may appear on the axe. We were told that one lucky man won the 1st prize in the 4D lottery with the number he saw appear on the axe in the 1980s. When the public knew about this, it caused a commotion. People then flocked to the temple in hopes of catching a glimpse of the lucky number on the axe. The crowd was so overwhelming that there would still be a queue in the middle of the night.
4.0 REFLECTIONS AND OBSERVATIONS
Our experience during the site visit was a pleasurable and insightful one. Upon knowing that we were there to gather information for a school project, 2 volunteers sat us down with much hospitality and gave us a general background of the temple as well as answer our queries. They also brought us around the temple pointing out the various interesting features of the temple.
One challenge faced was the slight language barrier. As the volunteers were of older age, they were more proficient in Mandarin and Hokkien. It was difficult for us to phrase our questions and thoughts as we did not know of the right words to use for some Chinese terms and trying to understand them in Hokkien was no easy feat. Fortunately, the 2 volunteers were extremely patient with us and we managed to get our questions answered (Appendix I).
Our group never knew that there was so much symbolism for the items in the temple. Every item in the temple had a function or was accompanied by a story. Overall, we feel that this temple visit group project has been a refreshing change from our usual reports that mainly utilises information available online. Being physically present at the temple and talking to the relevant personnel on the ground provided us with valuable insights with regards to the temple.
5 APPENDIX
Appendix A - Teng San Tian Hock (镇山天福宫)
Appendix B – Floorplan of Teng San Tian Hock (镇山天福宫)
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7 Appendix C - 5 Different Temples
Appendix D – Tua Pek Gong (大伯公)
大伯公
8 Appendix E - Na Tuk Kong (拿督公) Alter
2 pictures of Na Tuk Kong
Na Tuk Kong Deity
Appendix F – Chinese Threshold Board
Threshold Board at the entrance of the hall
9 Appendix G - Willow Tree Branch & Bagua (八卦)
Willow Tree Branch & Bagua
Appendix H – 72 pictures of Chinese Folklore (36 on each side of the temple)
10 Appendix I – ‘Lucky’ Axe
Appendix J – Photo with the Volunteers
11 REFERENCES
Fodor's. (2017). Thian Hock Keng Temple Singapore Review. Retrieved 25 September 2017, from http://www.fodors.com/world/asia/singapore/things-to-do/sights/reviews/thian-hock-keng-temple- 117971
Mcnenny, K. (2014). Tree Symbolism in Chinese Culture. Retrieved 25 September 2017, from http://www.industrialdistrictgreen.org/tree_symbolism_in_chinese_culture
Lim, S., Fu, C., & Li En. (2010). Origins of Chinese auspicious symbols. Singapore: Asiapac Books.
Nations Online. Bagua, Early Heaven Sequence, Later Heaven sequence - Chinese Customs. Retrieved 25 September 2017, from http://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/Chinese_Customs/bagua.htm
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