Bright Hill Drive Monastery

Monastery facade and garden

Bright Hill Drive Monastery

The most prominent monastery in Bright Hill Drive - Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery, is Singapore’s largest Buddhist temple to date. In Chinese, it is popularly known as 光明山 (Guang Ming Shan), directly translated to be Bright Hill, which alludes to its location at Bright Hill Drive, Bishan.

History

KMSPKS Hall of Great Compassion

Guang Ming Shan Monastery was initially a humble monastery with only two buildings but was expanded through the years with the aid of donors and philanthropists.

In 1921, the monastery was founded by Venerable Sik Zhuan Dao.

In 1947, the Crematorium building was completed along with the Columbarium building.

In 1978, the Dharma Hall and the Monastery library was completed.

In 1980, the Hall of Great Compassion was completed.

In 1982, The Hall of Precepts was completed.

In 2003, the Venerable Hong Choon Memorial Hall was completed.

Contemporary Settings

Architectural Features

The main defining elements of Buddhist architecture would be that the roofs, eaves, columns, statues and murals.

Roofs

Close-up roof details

The monastery’s multiple buildings all have two tiered roofs. The sweeping roofs are all designed to curve upwards as it is believed that such a shape would help ward away evil spirits and demonic presence which were believed to only be able to move in straight lines. Furthermore, the porcelain tiles are designed to resemble bamboo, and hence creating their own individual curved surface, which confuses the evil spirits even more. Elaborate ornaments adorn the classic sweeping roofs. Lotuses, Dragons, Tigers or deities are often chosen as decorations to accentuate the roofs’ beauty even more.

Murals

It is easy to spot murals all over the monastery. Murals are often depicting deities and followers of Buddhism attaining enlightenment. However, there are also more morbid ones that depicted sufferings of those who fail to escape the Great Chain of Being.

Statues

Due to KMSPKS’ massive land space and many empty fields along the sheltered walkways between each building within the monastery, it is easy to spot many exquisite statues of various sizes spotted around the monastery.

Qi Lin Statue at Crematorium's entrance

Qi Lin A creature originated from East Asian Culture mythology, the Qi Lin is said to symbolize the arrival or passing of a sage. This is particularly significant in this context as the statue is found at the monastery's Crematorium Hall. Qi Lin is often depicted to a bringer of great fortunes and good luck. It is often commonly presented to have flames surrounding its body.

Elephant

Elephants are often considered good omens and a symbol of wisdom, knowledge and pure, untainted strength.

The Goddess of Mercy

The Goddess of Mercy, revered to be The One who perceives the Sounds of the World, is commonly associated with compassion and grace.

Activities

In 1966, the monastery organized its very first Grand Dedication of Ceremony.

In 1984, the monastery's first 3 steps 1 bow ceremony was held. KMSPKS was the first monastery in Singapore to hold such a ceremony. The tradition continues until this very day. Just for Vesak Day itself in 2016, KMSPKS organized 4 main events in total – 3 Steps 1 Bow (三步一拜), Bathing of Prince Siddhartha (浴佛), Vesak Fair (衛塞嘉年華會), Prayers (供佛，禮拜千佛，蒙山).

At KMSPKS, the monastery's efforts to reach out to devotees has extended beyond providing for premises for prayers – the monks and volunteers are even involved in providing counselling services. The counselling services can be signed up for anonymously online or through the registration counter at the monastery's help desk.

Annually, the monastery will also organize a Threefold Refuge and Five Precepts Ceremony which provides devotees and interested individuals with basic concepts regarding Buddhism, and more in-depth information regarding taking threefold Refuge and Five Precepts.