chinese pinyin june businessman philanthropist pre independence singapore founded companies cultivated rubber plantations malaya started chinese banks region lee held leadership roles chinese community organisations singapore notably supported revolutionary cause china addition promoted growth buddhism singapore setting buddhist institutions including singapore buddhist lodge life contributions society commemorated memorial hall club early years personal life lee born china elder younger sister seek better fortunes father emigrated malaysia started horse drawn transport service provision shop initiated series charitable projects including setting clan association schools lee later joined father help run family business participate charitable projects lee grew converted buddhism adulthood abbot acting spiritual mentor married twice children business lee moved singapore set branch family business called singapore founded property firm cultivated large rubber plantations malaya realising newly arrived businessmen difficulty obtaining loans established western banks lee business associates started local chinese banks including lee managing director merged banks form director eventually chairman contributions chinese community support sun ardent supporter lee involved secret meetings storey villa road helped chinese southeast_asia raise funds support struggles lee chinese community leaders bought preserve historical site later handed renovated turned national monument sun villa chinese community organisations lee actively involved initially general secretary president leadership supported establishment convinced british grant citizenship chinese immigrants lived singapore years lee chairman lee representatives acted bridge chinese community japanese military administration japanese occupation singapore assignment malaysia convoy ambushed convoy shot lee survived bullet hit buddhist chest inspired spread buddhism singapore contributions buddhism singapore temple world war japanese soldiers british soldiers civilians died bombings advice lee purchased hill british colonial government aim building buddhist temple dedicated liberate spirits people sacrificed japanese invasion lee incorporated square feet temple thanksgiving limited company shares april opening singapore buddhist lodge singapore buddhist lodge set members chinese social elite fixed address double storey house donated lee contributed furniture expenses considerable sum time lodge grew members decided rent bigger premises lee donated started drive raise funds purchase rented premises rate growth buddhist temples doubled war umbrella organisation temple headed chief monk management committee way conducting affairs relied financial support lee invited representatives chinese temples singapore buddhist lodge discuss formation umbrella organisation october registered lee elected chairman vice chairman decade notable achievements included having day public holiday getting government approval set buddhist cemetery acres km2 managing schools school chinese temple early 1930s lee learned wanted restore dilapidated chinese temple deer park gave sermon enlightenment chinese emperor dynasty built 8th century died accomplish task chief disciple continued restoration project lee personally funded lee went pilgrimage india brought english engineer assess assist restoration works temple stands today called simply chinese temple death commemoration june lee found dead home road november life contributions society commemorated gallery called pioneers memorial hall ground floor club road
Lee Choon Seng