The last thing you'd expect to find in Singapore
I've visited many Chinese temples. I've seen many practitioners take off their shoes, seen many a joss stick burned, seen many a sacrifice placed on an alter. I've heard chanting and the stringing and blowing of instruments. But I've never seen or heard a service nor does the Chinese folk religion have a monk, preacher, or sadhu equivalent.
I've started to wonder how the “stories”, philosophies, and guidance of Chinese folk religion pass from one generation to the next. How has Confucius philosophy been shared for the past 2,500 years? What is the primary sacred text, a Bible, Quran, or Vedas equivalent that details the stories of 1,000s of gods and goddesses?
Google does not provide a quick and simple answer. I've searched for books without success on Amazon.
Enter Haw Par Villa. In the 1920s the founders of Tiger Balm relocated from Rangoon to Singapore. The brothers' product soon became a pharmaceutical best seller and with the proceeds built a mansion and a theme park. The mansion was destroyed during WWII, however, the theme park lives on. The “theme” park has a unique hook - instead of rides and amusements there's dioramas depicting scenes from Chinese folk religion. At long last I will finally have some religious and philosophical insight.
The park opens daily from 9-7 and the entrance gate is less than a minute walk from the Haw Par Villa metro station on the Circle Line. The park has several sections dedicated to the major stories and themes of Chinese religion such as “Journey to the West” and “Romance of the Three Kingdoms”. Other areas focus on Confucian virtues and celebrate the zodiac animals, sometimes in gruesome battles.
CLICK OR TAP PHOTOS TO ENLARGE
I've visited many Chinese temples. I've seen many practitioners take off their shoes, seen many a joss stick burned, seen many a sacrifice placed on an alter. I've heard chanting and the stringing and blowing of instruments. But I've never seen or heard a service nor does the Chinese folk religion have a monk, preacher, or sadhu equivalent.
I've started to wonder how the “stories”, philosophies, and guidance of Chinese folk religion pass from one generation to the next. How has Confucius philosophy been shared for the past 2,500 years? What is the primary sacred text, a Bible, Quran, or Vedas equivalent that details the stories of 1,000s of gods and goddesses?
Google does not provide a quick and simple answer. I've searched for books without success on Amazon.
Enter Haw Par Villa. In the 1920s the founders of Tiger Balm relocated from Rangoon to Singapore. The brothers' product soon became a pharmaceutical best seller and with the proceeds built a mansion and a theme park. The mansion was destroyed during WWII, however, the theme park lives on. The “theme” park has a unique hook - instead of rides and amusements there's dioramas depicting scenes from Chinese folk religion. At long last I will finally have some religious and philosophical insight.
The park opens daily from 9-7 and the entrance gate is less than a minute walk from the Haw Par Villa metro station on the Circle Line. The park has several sections dedicated to the major stories and themes of Chinese religion such as “Journey to the West” and “Romance of the Three Kingdoms”. Other areas focus on Confucian virtues and celebrate the zodiac animals, sometimes in gruesome battles.
CLICK OR TAP PHOTOS TO ENLARGE
Haw Par Villa Entrance
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Tiger Greeting
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The first section, the Ten Courts of Hell, is the most memorable for its graphic images. After passing through the entrance to hell, there's a quick scene showing after death options: virtuous, cross the Gold bridge; more good than bad, cross the Silver bridge; the “guilty” stand at the Mirror of Retribution where all their past misdeeds are revealed…
…and punishment doled out, court by brutal court.
Lack of filial obedience - intestines pulled out
Disrespect your elders - heart cut out.
Neglecting the old - crushed under rocks.
I'm starting to understand why the Chinese treat their parents so well.
…and punishment doled out, court by brutal court.
Lack of filial obedience - intestines pulled out
Disrespect your elders - heart cut out.
Neglecting the old - crushed under rocks.
I'm starting to understand why the Chinese treat their parents so well.
Entering the Gates of Hell
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Gold Bridge, Silver Bridge, or HELL!
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You did NOT obey your father!!!
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Neglect the Old - Try on some Rocks
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Corruption, stealing, gambling - frozen into blocks of ice.
Tax dodger, business fraud - pounded by a stone mallet.
Charging high interest rates - thrown onto a hill of knives.
Maybe the SEC should look into these sorts of penalties.
Tax dodger, business fraud - pounded by a stone mallet.
Charging high interest rates - thrown onto a hill of knives.
Maybe the SEC should look into these sorts of penalties.
You'll Pay for this you Business Fraudster
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Charging High Interest Rates? Not in your next life.
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Drug trafficking, tomb robbing, encouraging social unrest - tied to hot pillar and grilled
Cheating, cursing, abduction - thrown onto a tree of knives
Misuse of books, wasting food - body sawn in two
Murder - head and arms cutoff (seems relatively light compared to wasting food)
Cheating, cursing, abduction - thrown onto a tree of knives
Misuse of books, wasting food - body sawn in two
Murder - head and arms cutoff (seems relatively light compared to wasting food)
Cursing and the Tree of Knives
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Wasted Food? Saw in Half - Lengthwise
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Murder - Punishment seems Appropriate
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Finally at the tenth court it's reincarnation where you get to live once more…and die and descend to hell again.
After leaving the Ten Courts of Hell the rest of the dioramas seem quite tame although they still retain some unusual qualities. There's rabbits fighting rats, rats and elephants pointing guns at grasshoppers, and a scene from Planet of the Apes.
After leaving the Ten Courts of Hell the rest of the dioramas seem quite tame although they still retain some unusual qualities. There's rabbits fighting rats, rats and elephants pointing guns at grasshoppers, and a scene from Planet of the Apes.
There's No Winners when Rabbits Fight Rats
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Beware of the Rat on the Right
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Dr. Zaius Leading a Meeting
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Upper sections of the theme park provide descriptions of the scene (although it was fun imagining the background of the descriptionless scenes. Another gruesome segment involved the battle between the Monkey God and the Scarlet Child. Fortunately the Monkey God could count on Pigsy for support.
The Monkey God had all he could Handle
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Until Pigsy Arrived
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Dioramas also share Confucian virtuous qualities. No gambling. No drug dealing. Be a good friend or you'll be eaten by a bear. Save a turtle so he turtle can return the favor when your boat sinks.
It took about an hour to walk through the park but I learned more about Chinese religion here than in all the previous temple visits combined. I also learned why Chinese children are so quiet and well-behaved.
It took about an hour to walk through the park but I learned more about Chinese religion here than in all the previous temple visits combined. I also learned why Chinese children are so quiet and well-behaved.
Don't Gamble or Sell Drugs
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Save Turtles, They'll Save You Someday
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Don't Marry Ducks...I Think
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