Temple Origins
 

In order to enjoy happiness in this life, one must have accumulated a store of mundane merits in the past. In order to attain perfect Enlightenment, one needs to accumulate both mundane and super-mundane merits. In the Mahayana Tradition, the cultivation of perfect Wisdom and great Compassion forms the two wheels of the vehicle which propels one forward on the spiritual path, helping sentient beings to accumulate extensive merits and ultimately achieve perfect Buddhahood.

 

The Venerable Chao Khun Fa Zhao is greatly concerned about the suffering of sentient beings. In order to help sentient beings to become free from all trials and tribulations, he promoted the practice of the Medicine Buddha. This is because through invoking the power of the Medicine Buddha, sentient beings can become free from all forms of obstacles and disasters, enjoy a happy and fulfilling life, and progress swiftly on the spiritual path all the way until perfect Enlightenment.

1988
 

In 1988, the temple established its Sukhavati Chanting Group which brings together both members of the Sangha and lay devotees to propagate the Pureland Practice. Based on the Buddhist ideals of Loving-kindness, Compassion, Joy and Equanimity, the group strives to encourage people to engage in virtuous actions and cultivate merit and wisdom. It emphasizes the methods of generating faith in Amitabha Buddha; cultivating an aspiration to be reborn in the Amitabha Pureland; and the practice of reciting the name of Amitabha Buddha. So that when the time of death arrives, the practitioner is able to depart from this life happily and peacefully and attain a rebirth in the Amitabha Pureland to further his spiritual practice and development there under the guidance of Amitabha Buddha. Members of the Recitation group also actively participate in various community and charitable projects as the experience of community welfare work serves as a skillful way to develop loving kindness and compassion and pacify the mind. There are currently more than 600 members in the Sukhavati Chanting Group.

2017 - Present
 

It comes as no surprise that given its fast growing number of devotees, the temple finally has to make way at a new location. The new building stands 4-storey high and is able to house more and better facilities, including two basement car-parks, a dining hall and a larger monk’s dormitory. The reconstruction started in April 2014 and completed in Oct 2016.
 

The Golden Pagoda Buddhist Temple is designed to meet the requirements of modern Dharma propagation works. Under the guiding inspiration of Venerable Chao Khun Fa Zhao's compassionate vow, the temple serves as a means to bring the profound Buddhist teaching to the general public for a blessed and purposeful life. It serves as an abode of peace and tranquillity. The design emphasises simplicity in spatial planning, staying true to the teachings of Buddha. The design incorporates the use of materials and symbolic ornamentations, creating a tranquil spiritual sanctuary and a place of respite for devotees and the monks; a space that can soothe the mind, body and spirit of oneself.

 

The large single space is the main prayer hall, dining hall and the surrounding external verandas at the 1st & 2nd floor which facilitates the mass of people who often come to the temple. This aids for better flow during major temple’s events. The Upper floors are restricted mainly for the administration staff. The space can be used for meetings and a part of it has been allocated for the monks’ quarters. As one proceeds up the rooftop, devotees will enjoy the panoramic view of the surroundings with a grand golden Stupa centrally positioned surrounded by lush landscape and water features; a culmination of humility and dignity of the spirit of Buddha.