Lian Shan Shuang Lin Monastery

The oldest Buddhist monastery in Singapore

Location 

Lian Shan Shuang Lin Monastery is located at 184E Jalan Toa Payoh, Singapore. 

Direction

Lian Shan Shuang Lin Monastery is quietly hidden away amongst the many blocks of public housing in Kim Keat (around Toa Payoh). However, there is a walking pathway leading to the temple from the bus interchange.

History

Back in 1858, Low Kim Pong, a young man from Fujian, China, came to Singapore to settle in. Although he was born into a poor family, he became very successful businessman because of his diligence. This leads hime to be an influential leader of the Fujian community in Singapore

40 years later, There was a boat, with Venerable Xian Hui and his family of 12 monks and nuns, arrived at water front. They were on the way home to Fujian, after 6 years of pilgrimage to India, Ceylon and Burma. Therefore, Low Kim Pong invited them to his house to stay for a while. In that time, Low Kim Pong proposed Venerable Xian Hui to build a monastery in Singapore. Low Kim Pong donated 50 acres of land in the central part of the island (Toa Payoh New Town in the present day) to build the monastery and invited Venerable Xian Hui to be the founding abbot of the monastery.

This project received overwhelming support from the Chinese community in Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia. They created a unique blend of architectural styles particular to each region yet harmoniously fused to reflect the immigrant society of Singapore at that time.

Why do people come here?

Lian Shan Shuang Lin Monastery built to be a centre for worship. Their mission and vision is to teach and propagate Buddhist doctrines and to promote activities that would expand Buddhism in Singapore. 

However, Lian Shan Shuang Lin Monastery become a tourist attraction because it is very huge and very beautiful. The architecture is very interesting. It has a unique blend of architectural styles from Fuzhou , Quanzhou and Zhangzhou Counties of Fujian province and Chaozhou County of Guangdong province in southern China. This combination creates new community with a beautiful culture in Singapore.

How does this place create a community?

The architectural styles are from Fuzhou , Quanzhou and Zhangzhou Counties of Fujian province and Chaozhou County of Guangdong province in southern China. Therefore, two teams of craftsmen from different locations coming together to build one single hall. Their joining of strength for the vitality of the construction work reflects the nature of our immigrant society. Pooling is strength. Their forefathers pooled their money, stood together spiritually to build Shuanglin. They brought craftsmen from their hometowns. The different traditions in Fujian are displayed uniquely in Shuanglin. Their acceptance of differences, their co-existence and co-operation even while acknowledging their different roots, and so creating a new community there.

The Architectural style

The Erdene Zuu monastery (Mongolia)

Location

Coordinates : 47° 12′ 6″ N, 102° 50′ 36″ E

Erdene Zuu monastery is probably the most ancient Buddhist monastery in Mongolia, located Uvurkhangai province which near the town of the well- known ancient city of Kharakhorum. Altai mountain is in the south-west. Gobi desert is in the South. 

Uvurkhangai is a thriving province, large number of families found themselves living in lower incomes and some are living in poverty and having health problems. It is about 370 kilometers from Ulaan Bataar (the capital and the largest city in Mongolia).

How do we go there?

The easiest way to go is by plane but all flights land at the International Airport which is the only one in Mongolia (Ulaan Bataar).

Then you will have to take the domestic flight to Uvurkhangai. 

or by car which will takes all day long

Bumping roads

Dirt tracks. When it rains, cars drive around the puddles which always creating a new route.

History

The monastery was built in 1585 upon the introduction of Buddhism into Mongolia as the state religion. Stones from the ruins of Karakorum (the ancient city) were used to constructed. It is surrounded by a wall with 108 stupas which are all being a sacred Buddhism.

In 1680s, the monastery was damaged by warfare but then it was rebuilt in the 18th century until there were 62 temples inside (about 70 years).

In 1939 the Communist leader had the monastery ruined, as part of a purge, that obliterated hundreds of monasteries in Mongolia and killed over ten thousand monks. It remained three small temples and the external wall with the stupas.

Erdene Zuu was allowed to exist as a museum but not a place to worship. However, after the fall of Communism in 1990, Erdene Zuu then became a place of worship. Today Erdene Zuu remains an active Buddhist monastery as well as a museum that is the tourists destination.

Stupas

temples inside

Monastery wall

Surroundings and Affected by Tourism

Mongolia from google earth

As we can see above, Erdene Zuu still maintain its identity as the time paased. This might be the reason why tourists are willing to visit.Whereas, areas around the monastery are full of houses, roads, markets and shops. Because the monastery was destroyed in the late 1930s, along with plenty of other monasteries and monks all over Mongolia. 
A small section of the complex remained, and this is what tourists are desire to visit today.

Uvurkhanngai is lack of development province in the country, but in fact, the lack of development is what keeps the province so beautiful and attract tourists. There are many unexpected situations happen during the trip because of the climate and thaose challage the tourists very much. 

Tourists' favourite

Monastery wall - The wall surrounding the Erdene Zuu monastery is now part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Phallic Rock - This is said to retain the sexual impulses of the monks and ensure their good behavior.

Turtle Rock- symbol of eternity acting as a town protector.

Golden Prayer Stupa 

Staying in a ger (or the yurt)- the traditional residence of the nomads in Mongolia.

Meet the locals 

Harmandir Sahib (The Golden Temple)

 Day View

 Night View



Location

The Golden Temple is situated in Amritsar, located in Northern Punjab, India, which is close to the border of Pakistan. It is the central gurdwara, or worship place, for all Sikhs in the world.

History

Harmandir, means "Temple of God" and it also is referred to as Darbar (meaning "court") Sahib (meaning" Lord")respectfully. Darbar Harmandir Sahib is informally known as the Golden Temple because the temple is constructed with white marble overlaid with gold leaf and stands in the center of a sarovar, or pool of fresh, clear, reflective water which is fed by the River Ravi, and said by some to originate from the Ganges River. Pilgrims bathe and perform ablution in the sacred waters of the tank which is known for its healing properties. Visitors gather inside the gurdwara to worship, listen to hymns, and hear the holy scripture of the Guru Granth Sahib read. The golden gurdwara has four entrances, one on each side, which are a symbolic welcome to all persons regardless of caste, class, color, or creed. A bridge extends from the gurdwara to the Akal Takhat, the governing body of religious authority for Sikhs. The Guru Granth is kept in the Akal Takhat after hours.

Visitors

The Golden Temple is open to all as the four entrances are the indicator of symbol of welcome to all people regardless of caste, class, colour, or creed. For any tourist that need English speaking guide, they are available at the information centre near clock tower, the information centre also have many free publication. Entering pattern for visitors to the Golden Temple are they must remove their shoes and cover their head (except the one who already had their turban on) before entering the precincts. Smoking is prohibited, photography is allow only in the Prakarma , the marble pathway that cover the sacred pool. 

                                                              Prakarma (the marble pathway)

The clock tower

Entrances

Direction

The most convenient way to travel to the golden temple for the tourist is to rent a car a chauffeur. This is because Amritsar have many small road section which is extremely confusing, and also it is extremely difficult to drive. Moreover, the public transportation such as bus is very cloudy, there  is a free bus service from the train station to the golden temple. You can also get there by train, Amritsar railway station is well connected to major cities in India through daily train, then you have to continued your journey with  either free bus service or an auto-rickshaw from the train station to the temple should cost around Rs 20, while a cycle-rickshaw will run about Rs 30.

Auto rickshaw

Road condition

                                                                 Surrounding

The Golden Temple is encircled by a ring road and surrounded by bazaars along narrow alleys. At the present, the markets have an ancient environment, where trading is done across from the central Asia up to the farthest part of India. The smells of Katra Kathian indicates its wares before reaching the shops selling papads, warian (crispies made from pulses) murabbas (Indian jams), pickles and ampapad (dried mango candies).There are several  rows of shops on each street selling particular goods. There are four main bazaar, which are Guru Bazaar for  gold jewellery shops, the Bazaar Kesarian sell steel and brass utensils, The Mishri Bazaar is the place to buy dry fruits, and Katra Mohan Singh offers a colourful kaleidoscope of bridal glass bangles.

Souvenir Market 

References 
Amritsar. (n.d.) The golden temple Amritsar. Amritsar. Retrieved from http://www.amritsar.com/harmandirsahib.shtml
Khalsa, S. (n.d.). History of the Golden Temple. About.com. Retrieved from  http://sikhism.about.com/od/history/a/Golden_Temple.htm

sar. (n.d.) The golden temple Amritsar. Amritsar. Retrieved from http://www.amritsar.com/harmandirsahib.shtml

Harmandir. (n.d.) Harmandir Sahib. Wikipedia. Retrieved fromhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harmandir_Sahib

Yamadera

 

Mountain Temple

(Risshakuji Temple/ Yamadera)

Yamadera (Yama=Mountain+dera=temple)

  With the combination words from local people, Yama  is mountain and dera is temple in english. So when people put it together it's called Yamadera. 

Yamadera is an unofficial name,  the official name for Yamadera is Rishhakuji.

 

Location

Yamagata is in (Western part of) Tohoku region, the northen part of Japan. Yamagata is a small town,  the city is closed to Sendai which mean that tourists can stop at Sendai first and then go to Yamagata (Yamagata, 2013). 

Due to great surrounding mountains and rich in nature of the environment such as natural springs and hot springs, these factors are what make Yamagata to be known as the city's beauty from nature.


*View of the town

Yamagata has the exact location  at Latitude: 38°14′26″ N and Longitude: 140°21′47″ E


The location of the temple (Yamadera) is located Northeast of the city, along the river side which surrounded by mountains. As you can see in the picture, the town is small and full of traditional cultures. They have got shops there such as souvenirs and local cuisine such as Soba.

*Soba


How to get there!

Direction: Taking train is the easiest means of transportation because it takes at least 3 hours to get there. Let's start at simple Shinganzen station, from Tokyo station to Sendai Station located in Miyagi
And from Sendai Station to Yamadera Station located in Yamagata. From the train station, take a bus to Zao Onsen and then walk a little bit (think of enjoying cool breeze) to the temple.

The distance from Tokyo to Yamagata is estimated to be around 540 k.m.



The City

The city has developed during the middle 15th century. The building in the city contain British Renaissance-style Bunsho-kan hall and various other Western style brick buildings. 

     

Picture of Yamagata during autumn and Winter Period

Yamadera in autumn


Yamadera in Winter time

History

A Tendai Sect (Mahayana budhhist temple) which is one of the holiest temple in Japan. The temple was built by Jikaku Daishi in 860 because Daishi was assigned to move up to the North by Seiwa empire during the Heian period. The year 600-800 were the most succesful years for the temple, because it was a center of buddhist in Tohoku region. Moreover, all over the mountain, there have got more than 300 monks living and meditating. Until the World War's influence, this temple got burn down. It got resurrect again and is once again known for the center of buddhism (Tendai Sect). 

From that day to today the temple has been almost 1000 years old already.Yamadera has been known for the poet Basho, who wrote poem about the silence and peaceful of the area in Yamadera (Mebphirun, 2012). Basho's poems is very famous nowadays in Japan, and his work spread througout the country; every high school has to study about his poems including the one he wrote for Yamadera as well.

The Stature of Daishi

 Why do people go there

• The temple is for Buddhism
• Beautiful scenery
• Tourists
• Relaxation
• Meet the legendary poets. 
• Follow the legend

Yamadera, land of poems and dreams

   Yamadera contains two levels to visit: base level and upper level.
   

     First at the base of the mountain, there are a few buildings to stop such as Konponchudo Hall or the temple's main hall. Inside the hall, the collection of statues and flame that have been burning since Yamadera's establishment are exhibited.Outside the hall located the statue of Basho, the greatest poem writer known in Japan.

    

 


*Spots in Yamadera for tourists
There are 14 stop spots which are full of history. Each stop spot tell brief history of the area.  


The main hall

Note: you can pay respect as a Buddhism but do accordingly to the Japanese traditional way.
First, bow two times in front of the statue, then clap your hands two times, wish and bow again one more time. 

*How to pay respect to Lord of Buddha (ไหว้พระ).


*Stature of Basho


        The upper part is where visitors have to pay 300 yens and this is where visitors have to climb up more than 1000 stairs to reach the top. On the way, there are many statues, grave yards and several spots to take a rest (Yamadera temple, n.d.). 


*View from the top