Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery

Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery

Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery
4.5

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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles103 reviews
Excellent
65
Very good
35
Average
3
Poor
0
Terrible
0

Sek Kong Un
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2022
I was ordained a monk here in 1975, converting from Hinayana Buddhism in Thailand to Chan Buddhism under sifu Ven. Hong Choon, along with another Westerner … from Adelaide SA, Australia. I had a very loving relationship with Hong Choon, based our seeing eye to eye over the Sutra of Hui Neng, Sixth Patriarch. In 1992 sifu wrote to me in Australia, asking if I would be the abbot of a new temple in Sydney. I declined his offer then, stating tat I still had unanswered questions about enlightened mind. Hong Choon nd Kong Meng San have always been one and the same for me, a great blessing. He was an understanding father, a compassionate bodhisattva, a merciful and generous human being and I loved him like my own father. But these days are now long ago. I only recognise a few of the older buildings, and yet, today’s Kong Meng San truly shows the passion of my sifu’s desire for people to place the Buddha, Dharma, Sangha and spiritual liberation of one’s own original mind first in their precious human lives. Kong Meng San temple and global role is the child of the pervasive enlightenment of the beautiful monk, Sek Hong Choon and his sifu.
Written 12 January 2023
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Merlion Singapore
Singapore, Singapore34 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2019
Been here many times especially during Wesak day and New Year for offering and Blessing. A spacious area with a few hall building and nice scenery. The cute things is little monk statue.
Written 8 December 2019
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JeannieBT
Paris, France28 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2019
I always make it a point to visit this monastery whenever I'm in Singapore because it is so peaceful and calm once you are out of the busy bustling city center. This time, I’m accompanied by my best friend from the UK. I wanted to share my admiration of this beautiful surroundings with her. We visited most of the existing halls with many gigantic and colorful Buddhas. In spite of quite a bit of construction works around the site, my friend really enjoyed this outing. We have visited many temples and monasteries in many other Asian countries, this monastery is one of a kind, definitely worth a visit.
Written 28 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Yit Seng C
Singapore, Singapore125 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2019
Is a huge compound comprising of a number of buildings. Please cater at least 1-2 hours to cover the whole area. Extremely serene and peaceful! Excellent place to clam your mind. Be mindful with your dressing though as this is a worship place. Can be really crowded if you visit during buddhist festival like Vesak Day, etc.
Written 22 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

ucav37
Singapore, Singapore198 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2019 • Solo
Phor Kark See Temple is one of the oldest temple in the Kong Meng San Crematorium complex. This temple housed 3 White Jade Buddhas representing Buddhas from the past, present and future. The temple allows devotees to have their queries answered via bamboo stick oracle but the abbot disallowed the oracle interpretation book which I offered to explain the meaning of the poems in the oracle.

There is not much artistic or cultural design in the building. But there are alot more chinese cultural influence in the deities and buddhas and temple complex on the right side of Phor Kark See Temple. One have to climb the stairs next to the car park and you will see the various other temple complexes connected via traditional chinese design sheltered walk way. You can see a tall statue of Guan Yin. At least there are 3 big temple buildings to visit down this corridor.

Only inconvenience is up and down hill of the stairs.. which posed problems for handicapped visitors on wheelchair, some other building are handicap friendly.

Behind Phor Kark See Temple there is also a small sort of flea market shop selling 2nd hand stuff donated by people and a vegetarian mass hall. Visitors can purchase vegetarian food from them or dine there but please call in or place your order in advance. The vegetarian dishes are very tasty, far better than those sold in hawker centers or coffee shop.

On the left side there is a small landscaping setup of waterfall and pond with Koi fishes. About 50 meters from Phor Kark See front door is the crematorium and a tortoise pond (Big one). There used to be a chicken that roams freely around that area but I seldom see it these days.

If you visit in the start of 3rd lunar month there will be mass of people visiting to pay respect to their ancestors housed in the temple complex. 7th lunar month also the hungry ghost month is another with many going there for prayers. The monks can be employed for such prayers outside the temple too.

For those who drive there are free parking space and also chargeable car parks.
However 3rd and 7th lunar months is quite a huge challenge finding parking space. During such times I recommend visit via public transport. I believe bus service 130 passes through Sin Min Road which is very near to the temple. It travel from Shenton Way to Ang Mo Kio.

This is not just a place for spiritual, religious believe but a place of cultural and architectural designs and the environment is a place that gives one a peaceful feeling and cleanses the mind.
Written 20 March 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Robin P
Sydney, Australia363 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2018 • Solo
Bright Hill Temple or “Kong Meng San Phor Kark & Monastery” has a turtle pond and a Chinese crematorium (where most of Singapore’s deceased are cremated) but is a Buddhist Temple! It was built in 1920 to encourage Buddhism and provide accommodation for monks. It covers 75,470 sq. m. (size of 10 football fields). Beautiful ornate colored buildings, wooden carvings, so very peaceful located in Bishan, Singapore. There is a Pagoda of 0000s of Buddhas and approximately seven large halls some of which the public may enter (shoes must be removed). Appropriate dress means knees and shoulders must be covered. Whilst entry is free, donations are welcomed. This amazing site sums up Singapore’s amazing culture/religious mix. Easy access by public transport Bishan MRT station and Bus 410.
Written 6 March 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

GlobalLocalTraveller
Singapore, Singapore174 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2019 • Solo
Visited the Kong Meng San Phor Kark See monastry and loved it. It has beautiful architecture and gives you a positive, peaceful feeling. The Bodhi tree, Zen garden with the water stream, giant Buddha statue in the big hall on the top floor are all amazing. I will surely go back. Great place for some quiet time or meditation.
Written 6 February 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Ah Huat
Singapore, Singapore76 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2019 • Friends
One of the most beautiful Temples ever built in Singapore. A good place to detox the mind and soul. Highly recommended to locals and tourists alike.
Written 1 January 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Nuno Macedo
Beaconsfield, UK1 219 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2018 • Couples
Although a bit far off from city centre/downtown I’d highly recommend visiting it as I’ve never seen such a mesmerising monastery and set of temples within the same location. Off the beaten track, with good facilities for visitors and so much to see... amazing.
Written 30 December 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

NLB
Union Territory of Pondicherry, India385 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2018
This was first on our "to see" list". There are so many beautiful structures and buildings in this complex that one can admire. It is a bit far away from the centre of the city and we took a taxi there.
The vegetarian restaurant is worth a try in case one feels peckish.
Written 11 October 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery, Singapore

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