新加坡·光明山（Singapore, Bright Hill）：百年光陰，於末法時代放置願景的佛國

Описание: 由於華人佔據主體，新加坡的佛教文化與東南亞其他國家有明顯差別，即並非由南傳佛教主導，而是各個流派互相交匯，以顯像的方式呈現「殊途同歸」。

作為新加坡最大的佛寺，位於光明山的普覺禪寺把漢傳佛教的精髓與影響力穩穩地固守在南洋，與遙遠的中國呼應。

瞭解光明山，要以地理和宗教發展兩個角度敘述。這裡屬於碧山大區，是一個交織各個階層的區域，其優勢在於環境，它的西邊是原生態的自然保護區，起伏的山丘讓這裡地勢有起伏之感。組屋在交通便利的路口，可稍微拐進一條小路，便能看到中產所居住的有地住宅構築起象徵生活品質的寧靜，若再往深處走，便有高級公寓和與其他有地住宅區隔的豪宅。

光明山是碧山地勢起伏較為明顯的地段，它取名於觀自在菩薩的淨土，由此自然可看出這裡濃厚的宗教氛圍。一九二一年，首任方丈轉道法師成立了光明山普覺禪寺，並為遠道而來的修行者和僧侶提供住處，使得這裡的規模逐漸擴大，加之新加坡得天獨厚的交流地位，最終讓這座佛寺幾經擴建，形成當下的規模並成為新加坡佛學院所在地。

從歷史的角度來看，光明山的歷史並不悠久，可只用百年的時間便構築起影響力深遠的佛國，令人慨嘆於即便世間處於末法時代，萬物的行進法則仍超出人類有限的認知，這份有限性都化作每一個人發自內心的願景。

所以，借由此處，能引起世人思考的，或許是在當下是非曲直都已難以分辨甚至刻意顛倒的時代，世俗生活能夠安定於世的內涵究竟是什麼？「活出自我」「順勢而為」都只是路徑，而自我是怎樣的，順應形勢獲得的東西能否真的讓自己的身心穩住，恐怕仍是一個不得不面對的叩問。

此次探訪光明山，剛好趕上普覺禪寺因瓦片掉落而緊急大修，因緣際會讓我剛好從「光明」的自留地目睹眼際之處皆是不完美。如此，安放完美的心願此番想來雖猶如鏡花水月夢幻，卻有鏡，有花，有水，有月的本身，肉身與事物終究有千絲萬縷的聯繫，並任靈魂在其中徜徉。

Due to the large ethnic Chinese population, the Buddhist culture in Singapore differs significantly from other Southeast Asian countries. It is not dominated by Theravada Buddhism, but rather features a convergence of various schools, embodying the principle of "different paths leading to the same destination."

As Singapore’s largest Buddhist temple, Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery firmly anchors the essence and influence of Chinese Buddhism in the Nanyang region (Southeast Asia), echoing the tradition back to distant China.

To understand Kong Meng San, one must consider both its geography and religious development. It is located in the Bishan region, an area where various social classes intersect. Its advantage lies in its environment: to the west lies a pristine nature reserve, whose undulating hills provide a sense of topographical variation. Public housing (HDB flats) stand near convenient junctions, but a slight turn onto a side road reveals the quiet, landed properties of the middle class, symbolizing a certain quality of life. Venture deeper, and you find luxury condominiums and separate high-end estates.

Kong Meng San is the most topographically varied section of Bishan, and its name, taken from the Pure Land of Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva (Guanyin), immediately highlights its strong religious atmosphere. In 1921, the founding abbot, Venerable Zhuan Dao, established the monastery. It gradually expanded by offering accommodation to traveling practitioners and monks. Coupled with Singapore’s unique position as a hub for cultural exchange, the monastery underwent several expansions, eventually forming its current scale and becoming home to the Singapore Buddhist College.

Historically, Kong Meng San is not ancient, yet its ability to build such an influential Buddhist domain in just a hundred years is astonishing. It makes one marvel that even though the world is considered to be in the Dharma-Ending Age (Mofa), the governing laws of all things still exceed our limited human understanding. This very limitation is transformed into the heartfelt aspirations of every individual.

Therefore, this place prompts us to reflect: in the current era, where right and wrong are difficult to distinguish, and sometimes deliberately inverted, what exactly is the true essence that allows a secular life to remain stable in the world? Phrases like "live your authentic self" or "go with the flow" are merely paths. Whether the "self" we live out, or the rewards gained from "going with the flow," can genuinely stabilize our body and mind—that, perhaps, remains a mandatory question we must confront.

My visit to Kong Meng San coincided with an emergency major repair of Phor Kark See Monastery due to falling roof tiles. This serendipitous timing allowed me to witness imperfection everywhere I looked, even in this self-proclaimed "land of light." Thus, the pursuit of a perfect aspiration seems illusory, like a dream, a reflection in water, or a flower in a mirror. Yet, the mirror, the flower, the water, and the moon themselves exist. The physical body and things are, after all, inextricably linked, allowing the soul to wander within them.

🌲 章節一覽 Chapter Overview

0:00 Opening
0:18 普覺禪寺及新加坡佛學院 Phor Kark See Monastery and Singapore Buddhist College
2:00 加冷河 Kallang River
3:07 龍山宮 Long San See Temple

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