Sunday, May 30, 2010

Bright Hill Temple 光明山普觉禅寺

Hall of No Form of Bright Hill Temple




The galaxy feel. The indescribable atmosphere of peace is always the stop for most after a eventful temple visit to calm one's mind.

How to reach the temple:
If you are coming by MRT, pls alight at Bishan MRT station and take bus 410 (white plate) and bus 52 from the bus interchange. It will bring you to the temple front gate within 10 minutes.
Official website of Bright Hill Temple:
http://www.kmspks.org/

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Sri Lankaramaya Buddhist Temple

Located at 30-C St Michael's Road,Singapore 328002, built in 1952, this is the oldest Sri Lankan Theravada Buddhist Temple in Singapore.


After viewing hugh Stupas in open space in India & Sri Lanka, it is comparatively quite a unique feature to see a Stupa on a building's rooftop. :-)

Main Shrine & beautiful Wall Paintings


Bodhi Tree
Hugh Reclining Buddha, Colorful Wall paintings, Stupa and Bodhi Tree, what a representaion of Sri Lanka!

How to reach there?
Nearest MRT: Boon Keng , Potong Pasir
Nearest Bus Stop: Serangoon Rd - ST. Michael's PL
Bus No. SBS 13, 23, 26, 31, 64, 65, 66, 107, 133, 147, TIBSÂ 857, 985Â

From Bus stop, still a long walk in, so do wear comfortable walking shoes. :-)

Monday, December 14, 2009

Sri Lanka

At the Arrival Hall of Sri Lanka Airport, one will be greeted by the very Serene looking image of Buddha welcoming you to Sri Lanka. :-)

Let's begin the journey of Sri Lanka by introducing the sacred mountain of Mihintale (located near the city of Anuradhapura) which is believed to be the location where Buddhism was first introduced to Sri Lanka.

Mihintale

Be mentally and physically prepared to climb the 1,840 stone steps to reach the summit of Mihintale.


A worthwhile climb, non-taxing with nature scenery along the way leading to beautiful white statue and stupas with beautiful blue sky as contrast.

Sri Lanka

Sri Maha Bodhi Tree Temple








Looking deceivingly young, this Sri Maha Bodhi Tree of Anuradhapura, believed to being grown more than 2300 years ago from a cutting of the original Bodhi Tree in India is the most sacred tree in Sri Lanka.
This is a popular venue that attracts millions of worshippers.

Sri Lanka

Golden Sand Stupa (Ruwanweliseya)








The hugh white stupa, at Anuradhapura, of north-central Sri Lanka is located near to the Bodhi Tree Temple. Standing at 300ft (92m) and with a circumference of 950ft (292m), Majestic against the beautiful sky in the day or night, this is also one of the places I like. :-)
A good picture of the hugh compound can be found here: http://www.asiaexplorers.com/srilanka/ruwanweliseya_dagoba.htm

Sri Lanka

Dambulla Rock Temple


I like this place, a pity I didn't really took much pictures on it. It is certainly worth the climb (wonderful panoramic view of the surrounding forest, reservoirs & flat lands and oh many monkeys along the way again, if you zoom in, there are 2 sitting on the fencing:-)) and strongly recommended to visit this World Heritage site for its rich history & cultural heritage.

It is to me, like the Dun Huang of Sri Lanka.

History of the caves could trace back to 1st century BC.


Paintings and statues of the Buddha and his life are spread mainly over 5 caves. Although pretty well-preserved, you could still see signs of history in the caves.



2 Hugh Reclining Buddha from 2 different caves with paintings around the surrounding walls of the caves


If without a guide explaining, it will be just another place of interest but with the explanation of the history & rich culture, one better appreciates the art & place better, so always recommended to listen to the guide's explanation before wandering off to take pictures...


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The Samadhi Buddha




Well arranged offerings of flowers on a stone table before the Samadhi Buddha Image.

The Samadhi Buddha is located at a serene park in Anuradhapura. Sitting in a meditative posture, this Buddha image built within a Bodhi-Tree Shrine (belonging to the period between 5-6 centuries A.D.) is believed to be the most exquisite image found in Sri Lanka.

Friday, December 4, 2009

Sri Lanka

The Temple of the Tooth Relic of the Buddha at Kandy



The interior compound of the temple buildings has a combination of richly carved beautiful inner shrine (left/topmost picture) and more modern (right/bottom picture) Sinhalese architecture. The Tooth Relic (left upper canine tooth) of the Buddha is believed to be housed in the 2 storey inner shrine.


The exterior, beautiful park with beautiful sky makes a wonderful view

At a connecting tower, one can see the oldest ola leaf book and many other precious leaf book.


There is also a museum in memory of the elephant whom had been carrying the sacred tooth relic during the past yearly festival parade and whom had lived to high age of over 80 years old.


It is a place worth visiting especially during Full-moon day (every full moon day of the month is their public holiday so they have at least 12 days of leave each year excluding other leave entitlement!) where at the garden compound you can see many locals observing the 8 Precepts (their culture to wear all white).