The Different Faces of Buddha
The Many Faces of Buddhism
On our way to Dunman Food Centre for lunch, we spy a Thai Buddhist temple. But we were hungry, so we hurried to eat first before U-turning back to check it out.
It was a small temple; there was a statue of the Four-Faced Buddha in the front, and numerous other Buddha statues at another altar at the back.
Entering the temple, we explained that we were doing a project to the temple’s caretaker, after which he gladly answered all our questions, even showing us several files regarding the history of the temple.
Contrary to our first impression, this was not a Thai Buddhist temple but a Cambodian temple. The temple was set up by a Cambodian monk. We asked the caretaker if he knew why the Cambodian monk had come to Singapore and chosen JooChiat to set up his temple but he didn’t know. After he passed away, his followers continued to run the temple in commemoration of him.
The altar with all the Buddha statues brought over by the Cambodian monk.
The Four-Faced Buddha that made us mistake that this was a Thai Buddhist Temple. It was donated to the temple by Thai devotees.
Some interesting facts about the Four-Faced Buddha. Each of the four sides represent
different things and depending on what you are praying for, you pray to a
different side.
Front side is for Accomplishment, Offering Compassion and Prosperity
This side represents averting calamities, suppress evil and to release all gloominess and worries, Cakka
This side is for Wishes fulfilled
This side is for Knowledge
Of course, you will get your wish in just about everything if you pray to all four sides. And it never hurts to pray extra and gain some extra merit. One of the faces of the four faced Buddha was actually facing the wall. However the wall had a mirror on it as the four faced Buddha needs to see everything and not face a wall.(Really sorry we do not have a photo)
Some Indonesian batik cloth donated by Indonesian devotees. They have a regional
following!
DATE: Sunday, March 4, 2012
TIME: ||2:32 PM ||