temple chinese pinyin literally temple thanksgiving located small singapore southern coast buddhist temple built memorial lost lives villagers allied japanese soldiers temple abbot american monk appointed abbot buddhist temple singapore following major development project began religious building country incorporate friendly elderly friendly features partner temple conducts programmes talks discussions meditation courses chinese english buddhist community history located singapore southern coast facing hill factory process raw golden triangle sale china 19th century protect military facilities vicinity british colonial government placed heavy artillery guns onset second world war anticipation attacks japanese coast 1st 2nd battalion regiment 2nd regiment defended western southern parts singapore february despite running low ammunition food regiments strong resistance inflicting heavy toll japanese invaders outnumbered defenders finally overrun reinforced japanese forces officer second lieutenant captured alive tortured japanese executed story heroism known singapore based concept spirits soldiers civilians sacrificed japanese invasion world war temple constructed site established modest single storey temple philanthropist chinese temples singapore dedicated lee born county china joined father youth moving singapore set property business successful achieved positions leadership local chinese community widely known founders acting chairman japanese occupation early buddhist pioneers lee involved foundation singapore buddhist lodge western abbot born birmingham alabama united_states receiving doctorate literature buddhism united_states moving asia study buddhism joined received monastic meaning left malaya later visited singapore tour late american buddhist monk efforts number sunday schools set locally january offered honorary abbot buddhist temple singapore singapore assisted translation chinese english returned malaya spent later years lectures held lectures later compiled english chinese freely distributed died february cremated female buddhist pioneer born wealthy family china youngest child family taken mother receive early education sat waiting examination results english teacher left studies terminated studies returned mother seriously ill attended lectures disciple temple subsequently disciples studied responsible setting singapore promote buddhist education young school duties active voluntary worker buddhist community december embarked task translating chinese english accessible english educated assisted translation tasks offering suggestions improving english version awarded president appointed justice peace second president vice president world fellowship died trip india building design allow expansion old premises demolished reconstruction began office wing completed april phase project new storey building designed architect memorial hall san temple occupying square foot site new architectural synthesis classical features combined modern friendly technology civic consciousness conscious large percentage 60s honorary president director retired lawyer grandson temple founder chief architect ensure temple accessible elderly use gentle stretches gates upper levels temple storey building level fitted easily reached help buttons doors designed unlocked outside case emergency friendly features temple takes advantage singapore abundant sunlight having different kinds solar energy cells rooftop solar array solar array solar array water heated solar panels night lighting powered electricity converted solar energy breezy location wind generators erected convert wind activity electricity falls collected surface run offs rain temple grounds generate electricity charging batteries house electricity produced water highest floor temple passing hydroelectric generators system installed collected filtered line aim use resources furniture resident bamboo bamboo considered friendly materials use home harvested entire tree need bamboo allowed regain height years ready harvested second phase temple completed late featuring new statues storey temple today attract younger blood entered partnership buddhist fellowship non buddhist organisation known locally revolutionary projects activities intended ensure propagated contemporary language form fellowship members mainly english speaking professionals years age initially rented space contacted fellowship president chinese married english catholic offering use temple premises early took offer rent raised cent sum difficult fellowship afford rent charged temple fellowship paying increase demanded previous landlord fellowship moved square feet space event marked opening ceremony attended minister health fellowship spiritual patrons abbot group conducts programmes talks discussions meditation courses led visiting notable lay buddhist teachers temple open public daily admission free
Poh Ern Shih Temple