Difference between revisions of "Jin Long Si Temple" - New World Encyclopedia

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[[Image:Jin Long Si Temple.jpg|300px|thumb|The Jin Long Si Temple at Lorong How Sun, [[Singapore]].]]
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[[Image:JLS Bodhi Tree-2.JPG|200px|thumb|The ancient Bodhi tree, over 30 meters tall, continues to provide shade and tranquility to the devotees of Jin Long Si Temple.]]
'''Jin Long Si Temple''' ({{zh-stp|s=金龙寺|t=金龍寺|p=jīn lóng sì}}), which is located on a hilltop at Lorong How Sun (off [[Bartley Road]]), is a unique "san-jiao" (three religion) village temple in [[Singapore]], with its teachings derived from the books of [[Buddhism]], [[Taoism]] and [[Confucianism]]. Within its premises, lies a [[Bodhi tree]] ''([[Ficus religiosa]])'' dating to the late 1880s, which is the oldest of its kind found in Singapore to date. The Bodhi tree shares a [[symbiotic]] relationship with the temple as its roots are deeply intertwined with the building's foundation. In 2003, the Singapore government announced that both the temple and the Bodhi tree will have to make way for redevelopment in early 2008. The temple began to actively organise events to generate public awareness and support of its plight, as well as making repeated appeals to the relevant authorities to review its decision to acquire the temple. The case generated much publicity and growing calls among Singaporeans and nature-lovers to preserve the old temple and its ancient Bodhi tree as a common heritage of Singapore.
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'''Jin Long Si Temple''' ({{zh-stp|s=金龙寺|t=金龍寺|p=jīn lóng sì}}), located on a hilltop at Lorong How Sun (off [[Bartley Road]]), represents a unique "san-jiao" (three religion) village temple in [[Singapore]], with its teachings derived from the books of [[Buddhism]], [[Taoism]] and [[Confucianism]]. Singapore has long had a tradition of respecting the three religions Confucianism, Buddhism, and [[Daoism]]. [[San-jiao]] (three religions) practiced at the Jin Long Si Temple exemplifies that tendency. San-jiao developed uniquely in Singapore, Jin Long Si Temple constituting the main temple for the faith in Singapore.
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Although Jin Long Si Temple respects and regards Taoism and Confucianism, Buddhism's predominance has been indicated by the concern for the preservation of a [[Bodhi tree]] on the current property slated for eviction to build a subway station. The Bodhi tree, a symbol of [[Enlightenment|Buddha's enlightenment]], has entwined its roots into the foundation of the temple. The temple can not be destroyed without killing the priceless Bodhi tree. The Jin Long Si Temple Bodhi tree, grown from seeds brought from [[Sri Lanka]], has stood on the spot for 120 years. The three religion temple allows us to envision a time in which religions harmonize, collaborate for the good of all, and avoid sectarianism.
  
 
==History==
 
==History==
[[Image:JLS Bodhi Tree-2.JPG|200px|thumb|The ancient Bodhi tree, over 30 metres tall, continues to provide shade and tranquility to the devotees of Jin Long Si Temple.]]
 
Jin Long Si Temple, originally known as ''Jin Long Miao'', was constituted under a trust and established as a religious and charity mission in 1941, with funds and donations from philanthropic Chinese merchants. It was founded to provide public shelter and a place of worship for the [[Chinese in Singapore|Chinese]] community during the period of great uncertainty of an imminent war  sweeping through [[South East Asia]] in the 1940s.<ref name="JLS"/>
 
  
The temple started off as an [[attap]] hut on a land donated by a grateful devotee earlier. It was later rebuilt by Wan Guan Lin into a zinc-roof and wooden structure which has remained almost unchanged ever since. Displaying much resourcefulness and artistic talent, the devotees had constructed a huge statue of the [[Laughing Buddha]] out of saw dust, a [[pagoda]] and also a pavilion with the life-size figure of their patron deity, ''Nan Wu Wu Ji Sheng Mu''.<ref name="JLS"/> 
+
Jin Long Si Temple, originally known as ''Jin Long Miao'', constituted under a trust, had been established as a religious and charity mission in 1941, with funds and donations from philanthropic Chinese merchants. Founded to provide public shelter and a place of worship for the [[Chinese in Singapore|Chinese]] community during the period of great uncertainty of an imminent war sweeping through [[South East Asia]] in the 1940s,<ref name="JLS"> Archived news of Jin Long Si Temple Jin Long Si Temple.</ref> the temple started off as an [[attap]] hut on a land donated by a grateful devotee earlier.  
 +
[[Image:Jin Long Si Temple.jpg|220px|thumb|The Jin Long Si Temple at Lorong How Sun, [[Singapore]].]]
  
While the temple is basically a Chinese [[Mahayana]] Buddhist temple, its teachings is a fusion of the "san-jiao" (three religion) derived mainly from Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism. The temple also has many unique Taoist deities like ''Nan Wu Wu Ji Sheng Mu'' and ''Pan Gu'' (盘古) which demonstrate a high level of religious tolerance and acceptance by the temple's community since its early days.<ref name="JLS"/> The taped teachings of the temple's late master continue to be played especially to the elderly devotees in [[Min Nan|Hokkien]] [[dialect]] every Sunday afternoons.
+
Wan Guan Lin later rebuilt it into a zinc-roof and wooden structure, remaining almost unchanged ever since. Displaying much resourcefulness and artistic talent, the devotees constructed a huge statue of the [[Laughing Buddha]] out of saw dust, a [[pagoda]] and also a pavilion with the life-size figure of their patron deity, ''Nan Wu Wu Ji Sheng Mu''.<ref name="JLS"/> While the temple takes the direction of a Chinese [[Mahayana]] Buddhist temple, its teachings represent a fusion of the "san-jiao" (three religion) derived mainly from [[Buddhism]], [[Taoism]] and [[Confucianism]]. The temple also has many unique Taoist deities like ''Nan Wu Wu Ji Sheng Mu'' and ''Pan Gu'' (盘古), demonstrating a high level of religious tolerance and acceptance by the temple's community since its early days.<ref name="JLS"/> Every Sunday afternoon the taped teachings of the temple's late master play, especially to the elderly devotees in [[Min Nan|Hokkien]] [[dialect]].
  
Occupying an area of 1,840 [[square metres]] today, the temple has approximately 4,000 regular worshippers and more than 300 registered members. It continues to provide free vegetarian meals each day to more than 100 aged and impoverished devotees residing near the temple.<ref name="JLS"/> The temple has also been active in contributing to the grassroots organisations in Braddell Heights with funds and manpower despite modest resources to this day. A notable example was featured in [[The Straits Times]] that the temple regularly sponsors functions for its next door neighbour, the Ramakrishna Mission Home for orphans and wayward boys. To reciprocate their kindness, the home opened its gates for the devotees to take a short cut through its premises for those walking uphill to the temple.<ref>{{cite news | title = Homing in on harmony | date = 30 March 2007 | publisher = [[The Straits Times]] | page = Review section }}</ref>
+
Occupying an area of 1,840 square meters, the temple has approximately 4,000 regular worshipers and more than 300 registered members. It provides free vegetarian meals each day to more than 100 aged and impoverished devotees residing near the temple.<ref name="JLS"/> The temple has also been active in contributing to the grassroots organizations in Braddell Heights with funds and manpower despite modest resources. The Straits Times featured a notable example in that the temple regularly sponsors functions for its next door neighbor, the [[Ramakrishna]] Mission Home for orphans and wayward boys. To reciprocate their kindness, the home opened its gates for the devotees to take a short cut through its premises for those walking uphill to the temple.<ref>{{cite news | title = Homing in on harmony | date = March 30, 2007 | publisher = The Straits Times | page = Review section }}</ref>
  
 
===Ancient Bodhi tree===
 
===Ancient Bodhi tree===
[[Image:JLS Bodhi Tree.jpg|200px|thumb|A close-up look of the Bodhi tree at Jin Long Si. The Bodhi tree shares a symbiotic relationship with the temple as its roots are deeply intertwined with the building's foundation.]]
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[[Image:JLS Bodhi Tree.jpg|200px|thumb|A close-up look of the Bodhi tree at Jin Long Si. The Bodhi tree shares a symbiotic relationship with the temple as its roots deeply intertwine with the building's foundation.]]
The [[Bodhi tree]] is considered sacred to all [[Buddhist]]s. Its significance can be traced to when it sheltered the [[Gautama Buddha|Buddha]] from the elements during his quest for [[Bodhi|enlightenment]], and it is under the Bodhi tree that the Buddha attained enlightenment subsequently. Thus the Bodhi tree has come to symbolise the Buddha's enlightenment, His wisdom and compassion.
+
The [[Bodhi tree]], considered sacred to all [[Buddhist]]s, gains its significance when it sheltered the [[Gautama Buddha|Buddha]] from the elements during his quest for [[Bodhi|enlightenment]]. The Buddha attained enlightenment subsequently under the Bodhi tree. Thus the Bodhi tree has come to symbolize the Buddha's enlightenment, his wisdom and compassion.
  
The Bodhi tree at Jin Long Si Temple was one of the twelve seeds that were brought by [[Sangha|monks]] from [[Sri Lanka]] in the nineteenth century. It has an age of approximately 120 years (as of 2007), is over 30 [[metres]] tall and has a girth of 8.5 metres, which is considered to be the most ancient and largest Bodhi tree in Singapore according to verifications made by the [[Nature Society Singapore]] (NSS) and [[National Parks Board]] (Nparks) separately.<ref name="JLS">{{cite web | url = http://jinlongsi.blog.com/ | title = Archived news of Jin Long Si Temple | accessdate = 2007-05-01 | publisher = Jin Long Si Temple}}</ref> Its roots are deeply embedded into the slope of the hill where the temple is located and even extended to the inner recesses of the temple premises; any land development at the tree's location has a high likelihood of causing soil movement and undue stress to the tree roots. Due to its ancient age and its [[symbiotic]] relationship with the temple, both the NSS and Nparks have recommended the Bodhi tree to be preserved as a 'Heritage Tree' after their findings. Trees that are classified as 'Heritage Tree' cannot be cut down and are protected with lightning conductors with money from the Heritage Trees Fund. A panel of officials and nature-loving volunteers decide if a tree should be placed on the register, based on its appearance, height and girth, as well as its social, historical and educational significance.<ref>{{cite news | title = NParks starts register to track rising number of heritage trees | date = 23 April 2006 | publisher = [[The Straits Times]] | page = News section }}</ref>
+
The Bodhi tree at Jin Long Si Temple numbered among the twelve seeds brought by [[Sangha|monks]] from [[Sri Lanka]] in the nineteenth century. Approximately 120 years (as of 2008), the tree stands over thirty meters tall and has a girth of 8.5 meters. Verifications made by the [[Nature Society Singapore]] (NSS) and [[National Parks Board]] (Nparks) declare it the oldest and largest Bodhi tree in Singapore.<ref name="JLS"> Its roots deeply embed into the slope of the hill on which the temple stands, even extending to the inner recesses of the temple premises. Any land development at the tree's location has a high likelihood of causing soil movement and undue stress to the tree roots. Due to its ancient age and its [[symbiotic]] relationship with the temple, both the Nature Society Singapore and National Parks Board have recommended that the government designate the Bodhi tree a 'Heritage Tree' after their findings. A 'Heritage Tree' receives protection from all harm and has lightning conductors installed with money from the Heritage Trees Fund. A panel of officials and nature-loving volunteers decide if a tree should be placed on the register, based on its appearance, height and girth, as well as its social, historical and educational significance.<ref>{{cite news | title = NParks starts register to track rising number of heritage trees | date = April 23, 2006 | publisher = The Straits Times | page = News section }}</ref>
  
 
==Jin Long Si Temple today==
 
==Jin Long Si Temple today==
On 20 January 2003, the [[Urban Redevelopment Authority]] (URA) issued a compulsory land acquisition order to acquire the plot of land belonging to the temple as part of URA's redevelopment plan for a nearby [[Mass Rapid Transit (Singapore)|Mass Rapid Transit]] (MRT) construction of the [[Circle MRT Line|Circle Line Project]] (Phase III). The new rail-line stretches from Bartley Road to Marymount Road, and will have five stations along its 5.7 [[kilometres]] stretch. To be built in five stages, construction has started for the first two phases of the Circle Line, and the construction on this phase, which will cost [[S$]]1.2 [[1000000000 (number)|billion]], ([[US$]]800 million) will take five years to complete.<ref>{{cite news | author= Karamjit Kaur, Ginnie Teo | title = Temple to go to make way for MRT Circle Line | date = 21 January 2003 | publisher = [[The Straits Times]] }}</ref> As a result, both the temple and the Bodhi tree will have to make way for redevelopment in early 2008. The URA said the temple grounds are being acquired to be joined with state land next to them so more homes can be built there. It said: "Given Singapore's limited land area, there is a need for a continuous effort to optimise the use of our land, especially at sites served by major public transport infrastructure such as the Circle Line and other MRT stations."<ref name="Tan"/>
+
On January 20, 2003, the [[Urban Redevelopment Authority]] (URA) issued a compulsory land acquisition order to acquire the plot of land belonging to the temple as part of URA's redevelopment plan for a nearby [[Mass Rapid Transit (Singapore)|Mass Rapid Transit]] (MRT) construction of the [[Circle MRT Line|Circle Line Project]] (Phase III). The new rail-line stretches from Bartley Road to Marymount Road, and will have five stations along its 5.7 kilometers stretch. Planned in five stages, construction has started for the first two phases of the Circle Line, and the construction on the third phase, costing [[US$]]1.2 [[1000000000 (number)|billion]], (US$800 million) will take five years to complete.<ref>{{cite news | author= Karamjit Kaur, Ginnie Teo | title = Temple to go to make way for MRT Circle Line | date = January 21, 2003 | publisher = The Straits Times }}</ref> As a result, both the temple and the Bodhi tree will have to make way for redevelopment in early 2008. The URA has moved to acquire the temple grounds to join with state land next to them so more homes can be built there. It said: "Given Singapore's limited land area, there is a need for a continuous effort to optimize the use of our land, especially at sites served by major public transport infrastructure such as the Circle Line and other MRT stations."
  
 
===Public appeals===
 
===Public appeals===
The temple has been offered an alternative site in [[Punggol]] as well as compensation, but its management still hopes it will be allowed to stay. Since then, the temple has actively organised events to generate public awareness and support of its plight as well and has made repeated appeals to the relevant authorities to review their decision to acquire the temple, urging them to preserve the rare and ancient Bodhi tree found within its compound. As a result, there was considerable public and media interest in the fate of the temple and its Bodhi tree, as well as other gradually disappearing natural heritage landmarks. Busloads of local visitors as well as tourists from countries like [[Japan]], [[Thailand]] and [[China]] flock to the temple every weekend and some visitors have set up [[blogs]] and started an online [[petition]] to save the temple and the Bodhi tree.<ref name="Tan">{{cite news | last = Tan | first = Hui Yee | title = Visitors flock to save revered Bodhi Tree | date = 19 August 2006 | publisher = [[The Straits Times]]}}</ref> The online petition mentions how the [[Land Transport Authority]] spent S$200,000 in 2005 and changed the alignment of a stretch of Braddell Road to protect an 80-year-old [[angsana]] tree. It appeals to the authorities to show the same attitude to the Bodhi tree at Jin Long Si.<ref name="Tan"/> A concerned reader wrote to the ''Straits Times Forum Page'' twice to highlight the issue:<ref> Her first letter was dated 11 April 2007. Another follow-up letter was dated 18 July 2007.</ref> {{Cquote|Being an environmentally friendly country, I think our Government should do its part to try to save this only one 100-year-old bodhi tree located at Jin Long Si Temple. Years of cutting down big and small trees for development have caused the temperature in our garden country to increase each year. A few years back, a contractor accidentally chopped down a big tree at [[Changi]]. Although the contractor or company was penalised, the damage had been done. Do we wait another 100 years to see such a rare tree in Singapore?<ref>{{cite news | last = Ng | first = Siek Moi | title = Save our only 100-year-old bodhi tree | date = 11 April 2007 | publisher = [[The Straits Times]] | page = ST Forum }}</ref> }}
+
The temple has been offered an alternative site in [[Punggol]], as well as compensation, but its management still hopes to stay. Since then, the temple has actively organized events to generate public awareness and support of its plight as well and has made repeated appeals to the relevant authorities to review their decision to acquire the temple, urging them to preserve the rare and ancient Bodhi tree found within its compound. As a result, considerable public and media interest has been generated in the fate of the temple and its Bodhi tree, as well as other gradually disappearing natural heritage landmarks. Bus loads of local visitors, as well as tourists from countries like [[Japan]], [[Thailand]] and [[China]], flock to the temple every weekend. Some visitors have set up [[blogs]] and started an online [[petition]] to save the temple and the Bodhi tree.<ref name="Tan">{{cite news | author = Hui Yee Tan | title = Visitors flock to save revered Bodhi Tree | date = August 19, 2006 | publisher = The Straits Times}}</ref>  
 +
 
 +
The online petition mentioned how the [[Land Transport Authority]] spent US$200,000 in 2005 and changed the alignment of a stretch of Braddell Road to protect an 80-year-old [[angsana]] tree. It appealed to the authorities to show the same attitude to the Bodhi tree at Jin Long Si. A concerned reader wrote to the ''Straits Times Forum Page'' twice to highlight the issue:<ref>April 11, 2007 and July 18, 2007.</ref>  
 +
<blockquote>Being an environmentally friendly country, I think our Government should do its part to try to save this only one 100-year-old bodhi tree located at Jin Long Si Temple. Years of cutting down big and small trees for development have caused the temperature in our garden country to increase each year. A few years back, a contractor accidentally chopped down a big tree at [[Changi]]. Although the contractor or company was penalised, the damage had been done. Do we wait another 100 years to see such a rare tree in Singapore?<ref>{{cite news | author = Siek Moi Ng | title = Save our only 100-year-old bodhi tree | date = April 11, 2007 | publisher = The Straits Times}}</ref> </blockquote>
  
Since 2003, the temple's management has not received a positive reply. The most recent joint reply by the [[Ministry of Law (Singapore)|Ministry of Law]] and the Ministry of National Development dated 23 March 2006, says the NParks and the URA will "assess and consider the merit" of keeping the tree but the temple may have to go.<ref>{{cite news | last = Mulchand | first = Arti | title = 100-year-old tree may save temple | date = 21 April 2006 | publisher = [[The Straits Times]] }}</ref>
+
Since 2003, the temple's management has continually received negative replies. The most recent joint reply by the [[Ministry of Law (Singapore)|Ministry of Law]] and the Ministry of National Development, dated March 23, 2006, states the [[National Parks Board]] and the [[Urban Redevelopment Authority]] will "assess and consider the merit" of keeping the tree but the temple may have to go.<ref>Arti Mulchand, "100-year-old tree may save temple," ''The Straits Times'', April 21, 2006.</ref>
  
 
===Relocation===
 
===Relocation===
In January 2008, a legal suit was filed by three devotees to save the temple site from government acquisition, alleging that it was in violation of the [[Constitution of Singapore|Constitution]]. The case was dismissed by the [[Judicial system of Singapore|High Court]] on 25 February 2008 on the grounds that "the devotees had no standing to make the application".<ref name="ST-2602008">{{cite news| last = Peh | first = Shing Huei | title = High Court dismisses bid to save temple site - Jin Long Si has two months to relocate to site offered by Govt; acquired land to be used for homes | date = 26 February 2008 | publisher = [[The Straits Times]] | page = H3 }}</ref>
+
In January 2008, three devotees filed a legal suit to save the temple site from government acquisition, alleging a violation of the [[Constitution of Singapore|Constitution]]. The [[Judicial system of Singapore|High Court]] dismissed the case on February 25, 2008, on the grounds that "the devotees had no standing to make the application".<ref name="ST-2602008">{{cite news| author = Shing Huei Peh | title = High Court dismisses bid to save temple site - Jin Long Si has two months to relocate to site offered by Govt; acquired land to be used for homes | date = February 26, 2008 | publisher = The Straits Times | page = H3 }}</ref>
  
The temple was given two months to relocate to a temporary site, and subsequently to a permanent home in Tai Seng Avenue. The temple's land is to be merged with state land next to it, for sale in the second half of 2008. The Government finally confirmed that the Bodhi tree will be retain by imposing for its preservation as part of the tender conditions for the redevelopment of the site.<ref name="ST-2602008"/>
+
The temple received two months to relocate to a temporary site, and subsequently to a permanent home in Tai Seng Avenue. The temple's land will merge with state land next to it, for sale in the second half of 2008. The Government finally confirmed that the Bodhi tree will be retained by imposing for its preservation as part of the tender conditions for the redevelopment of the site.<ref name="ST-2602008"/>
  
 
==See also==
 
==See also==
{{portal|Singapore|Flag of Singapore.svg}}
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*[[Singapore]]
*[[Old National Library Building]]
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*[[Buddhism]]
*[[The Buddhist Library]]
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*[[Taoism]]
 +
*[[Confucianism]]
 
*[[Poh Ern Shih Temple]]
 
*[[Poh Ern Shih Temple]]
  
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==References==
 
==References==
 +
* Comber, Leon. 1958. Chinese temples in Singapore. Singapore: Eastern Universities Press. OCLC 3967542
 +
* Lip, Evelyn. 1983. Chinese temple architecture in Singapore. Singapore: Singapore University Press. OCLC 10217866
 +
* Tan, Kevin, and Patrick Yew Weng Leong. 2007. "The temple and the tree: Singapore's Jin Long Si." Singapore: Jin Long Si Temple. ISBN 9789810575168
 +
* Tong, Chee Kiong. 1989. "Trends in traditional Chinese religion in Singapore." Singapore: Ministry of Community Development. ISBN 9789971881993
  
 
==External links==
 
==External links==
*[http://saveourroots.googlepages.com/morepictures Picture gallery of Jin Long Si Temple and its Bodhi tree]. Retrieved June 18, 2008.
+
All links retrieved August 1, 2022.
 +
*[http://www.wildsingapore.com/news/20060304/060421-1.htm Arti Mulchand, 100-year-old tree may save temple, The Straits Times, April 21, 2006]  
  
 
[[Category:Religion]]
 
[[Category:Religion]]
 +
[[category:Buddhism]]
  
 
{{credits|212840232}}
 
{{credits|212840232}}

Revision as of 01:59, 9 February 2023

The ancient Bodhi tree, over 30 meters tall, continues to provide shade and tranquility to the devotees of Jin Long Si Temple.

Jin Long Si Temple (Simplified Chinese: 金龙寺; Traditional Chinese: 金龍寺; pinyin: jīn lóng sì), located on a hilltop at Lorong How Sun (off Bartley Road), represents a unique "san-jiao" (three religion) village temple in Singapore, with its teachings derived from the books of Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism. Singapore has long had a tradition of respecting the three religions Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism. San-jiao (three religions) practiced at the Jin Long Si Temple exemplifies that tendency. San-jiao developed uniquely in Singapore, Jin Long Si Temple constituting the main temple for the faith in Singapore.

Although Jin Long Si Temple respects and regards Taoism and Confucianism, Buddhism's predominance has been indicated by the concern for the preservation of a Bodhi tree on the current property slated for eviction to build a subway station. The Bodhi tree, a symbol of Buddha's enlightenment, has entwined its roots into the foundation of the temple. The temple can not be destroyed without killing the priceless Bodhi tree. The Jin Long Si Temple Bodhi tree, grown from seeds brought from Sri Lanka, has stood on the spot for 120 years. The three religion temple allows us to envision a time in which religions harmonize, collaborate for the good of all, and avoid sectarianism.

History

Jin Long Si Temple, originally known as Jin Long Miao, constituted under a trust, had been established as a religious and charity mission in 1941, with funds and donations from philanthropic Chinese merchants. Founded to provide public shelter and a place of worship for the Chinese community during the period of great uncertainty of an imminent war sweeping through South East Asia in the 1940s,[1] the temple started off as an attap hut on a land donated by a grateful devotee earlier.

The Jin Long Si Temple at Lorong How Sun, Singapore.

Wan Guan Lin later rebuilt it into a zinc-roof and wooden structure, remaining almost unchanged ever since. Displaying much resourcefulness and artistic talent, the devotees constructed a huge statue of the Laughing Buddha out of saw dust, a pagoda and also a pavilion with the life-size figure of their patron deity, Nan Wu Wu Ji Sheng Mu.[1] While the temple takes the direction of a Chinese Mahayana Buddhist temple, its teachings represent a fusion of the "san-jiao" (three religion) derived mainly from Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism. The temple also has many unique Taoist deities like Nan Wu Wu Ji Sheng Mu and Pan Gu (盘古), demonstrating a high level of religious tolerance and acceptance by the temple's community since its early days.[1] Every Sunday afternoon the taped teachings of the temple's late master play, especially to the elderly devotees in Hokkien dialect.

Occupying an area of 1,840 square meters, the temple has approximately 4,000 regular worshipers and more than 300 registered members. It provides free vegetarian meals each day to more than 100 aged and impoverished devotees residing near the temple.[1] The temple has also been active in contributing to the grassroots organizations in Braddell Heights with funds and manpower despite modest resources. The Straits Times featured a notable example in that the temple regularly sponsors functions for its next door neighbor, the Ramakrishna Mission Home for orphans and wayward boys. To reciprocate their kindness, the home opened its gates for the devotees to take a short cut through its premises for those walking uphill to the temple.[2]

Ancient Bodhi tree

A close-up look of the Bodhi tree at Jin Long Si. The Bodhi tree shares a symbiotic relationship with the temple as its roots deeply intertwine with the building's foundation.

The Bodhi tree, considered sacred to all Buddhists, gains its significance when it sheltered the Buddha from the elements during his quest for enlightenment. The Buddha attained enlightenment subsequently under the Bodhi tree. Thus the Bodhi tree has come to symbolize the Buddha's enlightenment, his wisdom and compassion.

The Bodhi tree at Jin Long Si Temple numbered among the twelve seeds brought by monks from Sri Lanka in the nineteenth century. Approximately 120 years (as of 2008), the tree stands over thirty meters tall and has a girth of 8.5 meters. Verifications made by the Nature Society Singapore (NSS) and National Parks Board (Nparks) declare it the oldest and largest Bodhi tree in Singapore.Cite error: Closing </ref> missing for <ref> tag

Jin Long Si Temple today

On January 20, 2003, the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) issued a compulsory land acquisition order to acquire the plot of land belonging to the temple as part of URA's redevelopment plan for a nearby Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) construction of the Circle Line Project (Phase III). The new rail-line stretches from Bartley Road to Marymount Road, and will have five stations along its 5.7 kilometers stretch. Planned in five stages, construction has started for the first two phases of the Circle Line, and the construction on the third phase, costing US$1.2 billion, (US$800 million) will take five years to complete.[3] As a result, both the temple and the Bodhi tree will have to make way for redevelopment in early 2008. The URA has moved to acquire the temple grounds to join with state land next to them so more homes can be built there. It said: "Given Singapore's limited land area, there is a need for a continuous effort to optimize the use of our land, especially at sites served by major public transport infrastructure such as the Circle Line and other MRT stations."

Public appeals

The temple has been offered an alternative site in Punggol, as well as compensation, but its management still hopes to stay. Since then, the temple has actively organized events to generate public awareness and support of its plight as well and has made repeated appeals to the relevant authorities to review their decision to acquire the temple, urging them to preserve the rare and ancient Bodhi tree found within its compound. As a result, considerable public and media interest has been generated in the fate of the temple and its Bodhi tree, as well as other gradually disappearing natural heritage landmarks. Bus loads of local visitors, as well as tourists from countries like Japan, Thailand and China, flock to the temple every weekend. Some visitors have set up blogs and started an online petition to save the temple and the Bodhi tree.[4]

The online petition mentioned how the Land Transport Authority spent US$200,000 in 2005 and changed the alignment of a stretch of Braddell Road to protect an 80-year-old angsana tree. It appealed to the authorities to show the same attitude to the Bodhi tree at Jin Long Si. A concerned reader wrote to the Straits Times Forum Page twice to highlight the issue:[5]

Being an environmentally friendly country, I think our Government should do its part to try to save this only one 100-year-old bodhi tree located at Jin Long Si Temple. Years of cutting down big and small trees for development have caused the temperature in our garden country to increase each year. A few years back, a contractor accidentally chopped down a big tree at Changi. Although the contractor or company was penalised, the damage had been done. Do we wait another 100 years to see such a rare tree in Singapore?[6]

Since 2003, the temple's management has continually received negative replies. The most recent joint reply by the Ministry of Law and the Ministry of National Development, dated March 23, 2006, states the National Parks Board and the Urban Redevelopment Authority will "assess and consider the merit" of keeping the tree but the temple may have to go.[7]

Relocation

In January 2008, three devotees filed a legal suit to save the temple site from government acquisition, alleging a violation of the Constitution. The High Court dismissed the case on February 25, 2008, on the grounds that "the devotees had no standing to make the application".[8]

The temple received two months to relocate to a temporary site, and subsequently to a permanent home in Tai Seng Avenue. The temple's land will merge with state land next to it, for sale in the second half of 2008. The Government finally confirmed that the Bodhi tree will be retained by imposing for its preservation as part of the tender conditions for the redevelopment of the site.[8]

See also

Notes

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Archived news of Jin Long Si Temple Jin Long Si Temple.
  2. "Homing in on harmony", The Straits Times, March 30, 2007, p. Review section.
  3. Karamjit Kaur, Ginnie Teo. "Temple to go to make way for MRT Circle Line", The Straits Times, January 21, 2003.
  4. Hui Yee Tan. "Visitors flock to save revered Bodhi Tree", The Straits Times, August 19, 2006.
  5. April 11, 2007 and July 18, 2007.
  6. Siek Moi Ng. "Save our only 100-year-old bodhi tree", The Straits Times, April 11, 2007.
  7. Arti Mulchand, "100-year-old tree may save temple," The Straits Times, April 21, 2006.
  8. 8.0 8.1 Shing Huei Peh. "High Court dismisses bid to save temple site - Jin Long Si has two months to relocate to site offered by Govt; acquired land to be used for homes", The Straits Times, February 26, 2008, p. H3.

References
ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

  • Comber, Leon. 1958. Chinese temples in Singapore. Singapore: Eastern Universities Press. OCLC 3967542
  • Lip, Evelyn. 1983. Chinese temple architecture in Singapore. Singapore: Singapore University Press. OCLC 10217866
  • Tan, Kevin, and Patrick Yew Weng Leong. 2007. "The temple and the tree: Singapore's Jin Long Si." Singapore: Jin Long Si Temple. ISBN 9789810575168
  • Tong, Chee Kiong. 1989. "Trends in traditional Chinese religion in Singapore." Singapore: Ministry of Community Development. ISBN 9789971881993

External links

All links retrieved August 1, 2022.

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