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One night in Phor Kark See Temple

one night in pks temple 01Today is Vesak Day. I jointed the volunteer group of Phor Kark See Temple to help up in selling drinks. By entering the side of the temple, there are gorgeous lotus deco being lightens up.

one night in pks temple 02In “3 Steps, 1 Bow” ceremony, devotees circumambulate the perimeter of the temple, taking every 3 steps and one bow, while chanting the name of the Buddha. This event started on Vesak Day eve at 10pm until the actual day morning 7am.

one night in pks temple 03Thousand of lanterns lighten up every corner of the temple.

one night in pks temple 04In the Hall of Great Compassion, devotees queuing to pay respect to Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva.

one night in pks temple 05On the other hands , “3 steps, 1 Bow” ceremony still going on and on every single minutes.

one night in pks temple 06Cart stores selling Buddhism related things are overwhelming with crown and heats.

one night in pks temple 07Little Buddhas are happily smiling to us.

one night in pks temple 08Comfort foods are serving for free thru out the whole Vesak Day event.

one night in pks temple 09This picture was captured in the morning 8am, a woman pushing her Granny- I guess, has shown virtues thru out, until the end of the ceremony.

one night in pks temple 10And this is the time for the lotus awakening.

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Vesak Day

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Know the enlightenment of this great man.

Understand the path he went through.

Understand his teachings with wisdom, and

Be mindful on this special day.


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Dragons in the Temple

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Dragons carry a significant role in Chinese culture.  It symbolizes a ranking, prosperity and fortune.  By engraving or sculpting dragon on building monuments, it enhances the strength and appearance of the architectural language.

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Shots I have captured from Bright Hill Temple ensemble the dragon symbols.  Rail post wrapped around with carved dragon, size of 20cm in diameter and 45cm in height.  It envelops the place for offerings where visitors pay respect to their ancestors.

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A pair of magnificent butterfly-like beams, painted with dragon’s character proudly tie down to the frame of the holy minder.

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The wall art revealing the interesting and legendary myths.

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The temples are guided and guarded by the dragons sitting on the roof ridge.  It clearly defines a place with respectable reputation and status.


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A tale of these two sculptures outside the temple

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This is snake or a tail?  It is the tail of the tiger sculptures outside Sakya Muni Buddha Gaya Temple.  Located at Race Course Road near Balestier Road, this temple was founded by a Thai monk, Venerable Vuttisara in 1927.  In those days, ramshackle zinc, wood shelter and a Buddha statue were the initial form.

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After gaining huge popularity and funded by philanthropist Aw Boon How and Aw Boon Par in 1930, the building was transformed into the grand present stage.

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The hall of the temple holds the 300 tonnes Buddha statue that was surrounded by hundreds of lights, which is why the temple was named after it (The Temple of 1,000 Lights).

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The philanthropist brothers, Aw Boon How and Aw Boon Par is the founders of the Tiger Balm Enterprise.  “How” in Chinese dialects represent tiger and “Par” represents leopard.  These two animal sculptures and motifs symbolize the spirit of the temple.

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The National Heritage Board earmarked the temple as a historic site in year 2000.


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No more racing on Race Course Road

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Race Course Road was named after the old racecourse at Farrer Park built in 1842.  It was the recreation hub for Europeans in the past and it also created jobs opportunity for the early settlers from Java and India.

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While some buildings gives ways for the new.  The present Race Course Road has many up and coming commercial buildings coming along the way.  But some prefer to sit still just like the Leong San See Temple(龙山寺) which was built in 1917.  It was popular with many Chinese immigrants who came here to offer their prayers.

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Just like the Heng Fo Buddhist Temple (恒佛寺).

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This historical building, “Temple of 1000 Lights” was reconstructed in 1930s with a changed of zinc roof to wood shelter.

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Public housing serves as changes of an era.


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When sky is blue

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When sky is blue, we all gather around kick off the Monday blue.

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Look up the sky above.

blue sky 03What the bright sunny day!

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What the lovely blue Monday!

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What’s the good news coming our way?


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Another story about my mom and me

mothers day 01

Down on memory lane, I recalled having high fever at the age of nine.  Mom tried keeping the temperature down by using a straw fan.  That was close to midnight, the lights was off but her hand was still moving.  The cool breeze did not stop my heart from moving too.  I told mom, “It’s alright, I’m fine, don’t have to worry about me..”

 I saw tears welling in her eyes, even though the room was dark, but I could feel her sobbing in the darkness.

mothers day 02Till today, I can recalled the moment we touched each others heart so much.  So much so that the offer of her un-returnable warm light keeps beaming.  Just like the rising sun, giving us warm without asking for any returns.  Treat your mother well; treat mother’s nature well.

Happy Mother’s day!


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A road where a $10 memories are left behind – A gift for all mothers

mother day 01

This is an ordinary road behind my old house next to Canossian Eduplex.

I grow up here since I was an infant.  When I was young, my family was not so well-off as my dad was the only sole breadwinner of the family.  He worked as a carpenter to sustain a family of eight, this is tough with no further explanations.

For this reason, my mom had to do part time jobs to make ends meet.  She did this by fetching and sending neighbour’s kids to schools.  Getting a side income of $20 per month is better than nothing.

One day, she gave me $10 out of her precious $20.  I was told that was my pocket money.  Without much words, I saw an angel full of wriggles stand right in front of me!

It has been more than 30 years.  Since then, this ordinary road has never been an ordinary road to me.  Till to-date, my angel mom still leave me with so many memories that is priceless.

mother day 02mother day 03

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Today, I step on this gentle ground, seeing things remain unchanged.  The rows of landed property; the roadside concrete drain that are over flow with wild plants; an authentic sport ground and most importantly and yearns for my beloved mom.  For some, hearts and feelings may have changed.  To me, my affection for that moment will forever remained.

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Mother’s Day is around the corner.  I would like to take this opportunity to thank all mothers.  You are the greatest person in the world!  Thank you for being the angel shading over your loveable kids with infinite love.

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