A Buddhist Monastery – highlights
OK, so we joined the Unitarians for a tour of the Lotus Mountain Twin Groves Monastery. This was founded by a rich Chinese-Singaporean businessman in 1885 or so, and used to be surrounded by serene groves, babbling brooks, etc., but now is hemmed in on 3 sides by HDB housing highrises, and on the fourth by the PIE – Pan-Island Expressway. So it’s cheek by jowl with modern Singapore, despite its history.
This roof has bright restored tiled scrollwork, visible from the sidewalk outside the monastery wall. Not a great picture, but this is the original building, still visible today, which is kind of a rarity in this city.
This shrine on the right is the first one you come to when you enter the historic building whose roof is above. This is Maitreya Buddha, a depiction of a particular stout and happy monk who achieved enlightenment, I think. One of many, and one of the most popular – I think this is because he is so obviously cheerful, and represents the message that enlightenment is possible for everyone, eventually. Not to mention that you can attain enlightenment while not watching your waistline!
This white marble Buddha on the left depicts the moment after the original Buddha, Gautama (the Indian, or Nepalese prince) fell asleep for the last time, died and achieved Nirvana. Apparently the iconographic system is to look at his toes; if they’re all lined up, like this statue’s, he’s dead and Nirvanized; if the toes of the upper foot are tilted slightly towards his head, he’s still asleep. Looks peaceful, either way.
I was hoping with this picture on the right to show you how, although the main shrines of the monastery are characterized by gold, marble and a wealth of carvings, the local orchids are incorporated into the decor as well. Fruits and flowers are offered, not for the gods to eat, but to remind worshippers that their own gradual enlightenment (and release from the cycle of rebirths) is the fruit and flower of their own spiritual practice. And I think they look nice.
And finally – Ta Da! – the main shrine of the monastery, below, with its three idential Burmese marble-and-gold Buddhas, its young and old marble standing Buddhas, and lots of other things.
This concludes our tour.