GES1005/SSA1208 D14 CHOO HUI TING FONG CHU XI ONG PUI YUAN The purpose of the visit to Kwan Yin Chan Lin Meditation Centre (KYCL) on the 22nd September 2017 is to find out the integral roles Chinese temples played in the lives of Chinese Singaporeans in the early days. Introduction Built on freehold land, KYCL is located at 21 Lorong, 25 Geylang Singapore 388299, within the vicinity of Aljunied MRT Station. The centre is managed by a committee of 9 Venerable and founded on the basis of Zen Buddhism, which focuses on the discovering of ‘true self’ through meditation. KYCL falls under the Mahayana School of Buddhism, one of the three major schools of Buddhism. History and Founding Venerable Chi Boon is the founder and Abbot of KYCL. He met Zen Master Seung Sahn in Korea during a retreat and started practicing under his guidance. He was awarded the Inka in 1998, an official certification to allow him to function as a Zen Master. He established KYCL at Pulau Ubin in 1991 and relocated it three times. Location Reason for Move Pulau Ubin (1991) Inconvenient location Bukit Timah Hill (1993) Designated as nature reserve Lavender Street (1995) Space and resource constraints Geylang (2010) Larger space for healthy recruitment, installed with disabled and elderly- friendly infrastructure KYCL also built two other Zen Meditation Centres overseas in Desaru and Pengerang in Malaysia. Vision and Mission The vision of KYCL is to spread the realisation and teachings of Buddha so that one may attain true selves and be relieved from suffering. While practising, devotees are reminded to keep in mind the phrase ‘Kwan Yin Chan Lin’, which is also the name of the temple. ‘Kwan Yin’ means, to perceive the sound within us, and to remove our ignorance and attachment with incorrect mindsets. On the other hand, ‘Chan Lin’ represents meditating as a group, drawing on one another’s strength to fulfil the vows of Buddhism. Relation to Clan Association and Dialect Group KYCL is not related to any clan associations or dialect group. It comes under the Kwan Um School of Zen which has more than 100 Zen Centres globally and was founded by Zen Master Venerable Chi Boon. Participants come from all walks of life and religion, but the majority are Buddhists followers. Temple visitors are of all ages ranging from 7 years old onwards. 1 | P a g e Layout of Temple Architecture & Surrounding of Temple The KYCL Zen building is a grey, modern, concrete development with a large ‘Enzo’ circle installed on its facade. It is 9 storeys high and each level serving a different purpose. Unlike the usual temples, KYCL does not have any Chinese related elements on the building facade as the venerable wanted a more modern approach to make the place more welcoming. Floorplan The Zen Garden at Level 1 has a clean and simple layout. It is spacious with high ceilings and extends to the second level. The stone carve Buddha placed under a waterfall wall is the highlight of the Zen Garden. Similar to the Zen Garden, the layout of the Buddha Hall at Level 3 is a simple rectangle with high ceilings extending to the fourth storey. It has an altar for the Gods and seats in front of the altar for devotees to pray. Used for group meditations and chanting, the Zen Hall at Level 5 is a rectangular space with no partitions. The highlight in this hall is a wooden Bodhidharma. The Multipurpose Hall on Level 6 is divided into 3 sections - cafe, library, shop. The library carries books on Zen Buddhism while the mini shopping area sells books on Buddhism and statues of Buddha and Bodhisattvas. It is a convenient place for venerable, devotees and volunteers to interact and unwind. The KYCL Office on Level 7 serves multiple purposes. It has a waiting area for patients and rooms for clinical consultations and for administration purposes. Venerables’ accommodation on Level 8 and the Roof Garden is on Level 9 are not allowed access to outsiders. 2 | P a g e Deities/Gods & Artefacts Deities/Gods Ksitigarbha 地藏菩萨 is often depicted as a monk with a halo, holding a staff which is believed to be used to open the gates of hell, and a wish-fulfilling jewel which lights up darkness. Buddha 释迦摩尼佛 is regarded as the original teacher and founder of Buddhism. He is believed to have practiced Buddhism to set mankind free from pain and suffering. Guanyin 观世音菩萨, also known as the Goddess of Mercy, is often depicted wearing a white robe which signifies purity. She also carries a vase and a willow branch, symbolising adaptability. It is believed that she uses the willow branch to sprinkle devotees with physical and spiritual peace. This sprinkling of water is also often done by monks on devotees due to this believe. The wooden Bodhidharma in the Zen Hall was carved from a single piece of tree trunk and root by a Xiamen craftsman in China. Bodhidharma is believed to be an Indian Buddhist monk and the founder of Zen Buddhism. He also spread the knowledge and beliefs of Zen Buddhism throughout India before moving to China, Japan and other parts of Asia. Artefacts The Diamond Sutra 金刚经, which translates to ‘perfection of wisdom’, is originally a Sanskrit text and was later translated into Chinese. It is one of the most historically important text in the Buddhist faith. It is termed ‘diamond’ as it is believed that this sutra is able to cut through men’s perceptions of the world and their illusion. In KYCL, the sutra is hung at the bank of the Buddha Hall and was handwritten by a Chinese monk. The venerable also use this sutra for chanting every Friday night. 3 | P a g e Altar Light 长 明灯, usually placed at the corners of the altar, is used by devotees to pray for peace for their loved ones. Devotees who are praying for peace will have their names pasted on the individual window of the altar light. There are two main Buddhist Mass Musical Instruments 佛 教 法器 commonly placed at the front of the altar, are the Wooden Fish 木鱼 and the Chime Stone 大磬. The wooden fish serves to keep the rhythm during sutra chanting. The fish shape symbolises vigilance which serves as a reminded to monks to concentrate during chanting. On the other hand, the Chime Stone, a big bronze bowl, is used to note emphasis in the sutra during chanting. Activities & Rituals of Zen Centre Meditation is routinely done everyday. On every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, followers can join the mass chanting session. KYCL acts as a platform and area for congregation of such activities because the joint synergy is better gathered with more followers. Dharma Talks are carried out by local Dharmas or Dharmas from the other Zen Centres from the association. The purpose is to spread the word and teachings of Zen, and simultaneously impart new teachings based on the scriptures. For example, Oh Kwang Sunim from Serbia, Yugoslavia visited on 28 Sept 2017 to share about the life of a western Buddhist monk. 三步一拜 is an annual ritual usually held on the eve of Vesak Day. The 2.5 hour long monastery spiritual practice that involves doing a prostration followed by taking 3 steps. This completed set is being repeated throughout. Together with thousands of fellow participants, one performs each set mindfully, in unison with each other and in line with the inspiring background chant of the verse “Namo benshi shijiamunifo” 南無本師釋迦牟尼佛. It is a ritual that purifies the body, spirit and mind. It encourages the devotion of time inwards on ourselves, towards individual body, speech and mind. 4 | P a g e 地藏法会 Di Zang Celebration held on Sept 1-Sept 5 during the 7th month of Lunar Calendar. This month is known as the 孝道月，where followers are reminded to be grateful to parents. In the most recent Di Zang celebration, 4 monks were invited from china and 1 monk from Malaysia to the chanting ceremony. Temple followers celebrate relationships and seek repentance during this period. KYCL has Natural Disaster Relief efforts as a form of showing kindness to others and living their values through life. Founder Venerable Chi Boon, alongside other venerable and volunteers embarked on 2 natural disaster relief operations and donations for Indian Ocean Tsunami and Japan Tsunami. Activities for Members include weekly meditation class for up to 60pax, a fee would be charged for these sessions. There is also Zen Conference and Workshops and Offering to Sangha. During festive seasons, there would be CNY Dinner and Zen retreats to enhance bonding amongst the members. For the Youths, Kids Drawing and singing classes as well as Youth Club has been created in attract new blood. Unique points of Kwan Yin Chan Lin KYCL has free medical service as their way of contributing back to the society. The doctors and physicians are all volunteers who come to the centre to meditate. Temple followers also organise old folk’s home visits on an ad-hoc basis. In addition, they also have their own website which introduces the concepts of Zen and the use of online platforms to coordinate events. For example, the have a calendar which shows the events and links for registration Their Facebook page has 1200 followers and regular updates of events and photos. A Handbook for Zen beginners that can be found online. All these raises awareness about the Zen meditation centre and reduces barriers to religious concepts. It makes the younger generation less apprehensive about entering such a space and religious area.