I knew of this temple a few years ago, however it totally did not interest me. However for this time, i have some time to spare, with the A300 in my hand, i decided to explore it for the first time and see what surprise or photo opportunity it can provide me. With much curiosity, i started to explore this temple.
Main Entrance
The main door is guarded by two stone guardian statues and though the main gate, there is only one incense burner at the courtyard. At a corner of the courtyard, there is this interesting signage which states that ladies with mini skirt and shorts are not allow to enter the temple unless you wrap yourself with a sarong like cloth. After offering incense at the court yard, i took my first step into the main hall.
Hundreds Dragon Hall - Maitreya Hall
The main hall is totally cool and grand, with hundreds of golded buddha statues placed and arranged neatly on both sides of walls and on top of those statues, there are borders decorated with pairs of dragons stretching from one end to the other. Right at the end of the hall, it lies 3 giant buddha statues which overlook the main hall.
Apart from burning incense, there are various options to pay respect to the buddhas and wishing that your prayers are answered at the same time. Ranging from S$5.00 to S$20.00, you can write your wishes on a piece of red paper and secure it to a oil lamp and this lamp is to be placed at various offerings tables until the oil lamp burns out. Another interesting sight is at certain time of the day, devotees and a few monks, with a copy of sutra, gathered and started chanting at the main hall and this chanting goes on for a few hours.
Universal Wisdom Hall - Avalokitesvara Hall
At two sides of the hall, there are passageways that leads to the second hall, Universal Wisdom Hall - Avalokitesvara Hall. A handcrafted Bohdisattva Avalokitesvara sits upon an elaborate lotus throne and along the sides are the 12 Zodiac Protectors. From the way i see it, it seems that devotees who donate a certain sum of money can "adopt" a buddha statue to be placed alongside your Zodiac Protectors for blessing for yourself and your family. Just when i was about to leave, i noticed that there are actually 4 more levels to explore.
Roof Level - Vairocana Buddha Prayer Wheel
There are four stairways and a lift which lead up to all levels. The fifth level (roof level), is a garden with a Pagoda situated in the middle. Within the pagoda is the Vairocana Buddha Prayer Wheel. This buddha praying wheel is constantly revolving and devotee may hold onto the wheel's handrail and walk in circles as the wheel revovle. Every turn of the wheel represents a single recital of the scripture and mantra. This pagoda also house ten thousands smaller buddha statues.
Level 4 - Sacred Buddha Tooth Relic Chamber
This is the only level that disallow photo-taking. Before stepping into this hall, all visitors are to remove their footwear. The mood is totally different from other levels as it is filled with solemn and serenity. The Buddha Tooth Relic is the center of focus in the hall, however there are other activities like meditation and blessing ritual performed by monks.
Level 3 - Samantabha Hall - Nagapuspa Buddist Culture Museum
As the name suggest, it is a showcase of various buddist exhibits, relics and Sariras. On this level, you can see a range of impressive artifacts on display and you can even "bath the buddha" to commemorate the birth of Buddha Sakyamuni, like what devotees do on Vesak Day. There is also a showcase on Sariras, which are formed due to the cultivation of faithful believers.
Level 2 - Manjushri Hall - Aranya Gallery
This place seems to a place selling sourvenir, with a large collection of scriptures, mantra cds, artifacts and lucky charms. I notice that there is this statue which is going for price of S$105.00 and plants going for S$28.00. As the prices of these items are too steep for me, i only took a few photos and i took my leave.
Conclusion
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