What to Expect
As part of My First Journey, this special programme invites participants into the serene and sacred grounds of Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery, one of Singapore’s most prominent Buddhist temples.
The experience begins with an introduction to the main tenets of Buddhism, including the Four Noble Truths, the Eightfold Path, and key principles such as karma, compassion, and mindfulness. A special focus will be placed on the concept of rebirth and reincarnation—how Buddhists view the cycle of life (samsara) and the spiritual practices that aim to bring liberation.
Participants will enjoy a guided tour through the monastery’s beautifully maintained halls, shrines, and meditation spaces. Along the way, they’ll gain insight into the architectural and symbolic elements that support Buddhist devotion and reflection.
A highlight of the session is the opportunity to speak with a Venerable. Participants are invited to engage in an open Q&A with the Venerable, where they can ask questions, clarify doubts, and gain deeper understanding of how Buddhism views birth, early life, and the path toward spiritual awakening.
This programme offers a rich and reflective experience for anyone curious about Buddhism and how it frames the journey of life, beginning from birth.
About My Prayers and Practices
Every F1 season, we will see 10 religious leaders standing along the racing track to bless the road. We can typically identify the leaders of our own faith but there are religions in Singapore which are less heard of, though they are celebrated by some of our local communities. As a multicultural melting pot, many religious communities have taken root and established their practices on our little red dot.
From the Jains and Zoroastrians to the Jews and Orthodox Christians, we hope that participants can join us on a soul-nourishing journey to the places of worship of the major religions in Singapore and learn about their birth, coming-of-age, marriage and death prayers and practices. We hope that such tours will enable us to explore and negotiate our own sense of self and appreciate our religious diversity in Singapore.
Through these tours, we hope participants have a deeper understanding of race, religion and social cohesion. We hope you will gain multiple perspectives and connect your own stories of multicultural and multireligious heritage with those of others. Through facilitated dialogues with the religious leaders, we hope to provide opportunities for participants to engage site hosts in candid and heartfelt conversations.
About the Organisation
Founded in 1920, the Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery manages one of Singapore’s two Buddhist columbaria. Notably, the monastery houses one of Asia’s largest bronze Buddha statues atop its four-storey Venerable Hong Choon Memorail Hall, standing at 13.8 meters tall and weighing 55 tonnes. Visitors to the monastery can explore the Pagoda of 10,000 Buddhas and find solace in a sapling from the Bodhi tree in India.
Meet Your HostAbout Teo Puay Kim
Teo Puay Kim, also known as PK, has been active in Singapore’s Buddhist community for a few decades. He is the director of Dharma in Action Ltd, a volunteer-run organisation that promotes Buddhist values through contemporary platforms. One of its key initiatives since 2009 is the “Thus Have I Seen” Buddhist Film Festival, which seeks to raise awareness of Buddhist teachings and the diversity of Buddhist cultures through the platform of film.
PK also volunteers at Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery, where he conducts guided tours exploring Buddhist philosophy, beliefs, practices, culture, history, art, and also aspects of Singapore’s heritage.
Drawing on his Buddhist practice and professional background in the tourism industry, PK co-founded Bodhi Travel, a now-defunct company that once offered Buddhist-themed tours across Asia. The venture reflected his efforts to link travel with spiritual learning.
Combining his interests and experience in Buddhism, tourism, and education, PK continues to create accessible pathways for the public to engage with Buddhist teachings.
About Venerable Shi You Wei
Venerable Shi You Wei is a Singaporean Buddhist monk and the current Abbot of Di Zang Lin, a Mahayana Buddhist temple located along MacPherson Road. He assumed this role in 2005 following the passing of his mentor, Venerable Zhen Dao, who founded the temple in 1997. At the time of his appointment, Venerable Shi You Wei was among the youngest abbots in Singapore.
Born into a humble family, Venerable Shi You Wei, developed an interest in Buddhism during his secondary school years. He pursued Buddhist Studies as an elective at Tanjong Katong Secondary Technical School, which deepened his spiritual inclination. He later graduated from the National University of Singapore with a degree in Business Administration. After working in the healthcare and arts sectors, including a managerial role at Man Fut Tong Nursing Home and a position at the Esplanade, he decided to pursue monastic life. He was ordained on 10 October 2004, receiving the Dharma name Fa Cheng, also known as You Wei.
As Abbot, Venerable Shi You Wei revitalised Di Zang Lin by introducing structured Dharma lessons, reorganising prayer sessions, and initiating community outreach programmes. He established the DZL Volunteer Corps and launched initiatives such as bursary awards for students and food distribution projects for vulnerable residents in Marine Parade. Under his guidance, the temple has become a hub for both spiritual practice and social service.
Venerable Shi You Wei is known for his innovative approach to Dharma propagation. He spearheaded the creation of "Meet Ksitigarbha," Singapore’s first children's picture book about the Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva. This initiative blends traditional Buddhist teachings with modern storytelling techniques to engage younger audiences.
Beyond temple activities, Venerable Shi You Wei serves as a licensed marriage solemniser and was the religious advisor for the Nanyang Polytechnic Buddhist Society. He was on the Board of the Singapore Buddhist Federation, helming its Education division. His efforts to make Buddhism accessible include maintaining an active presence on social media platforms, where he shares insights and engages with the public.
Through his leadership, Venerable Shi You Wei continues to bridge traditional Buddhist practices with contemporary society, fostering a community that values both spiritual growth and social responsibility.
Who should come?
- Everyone is welcome to participate! Participants 12 years and under must be accompanied and supervised by a parent/guardian at all times.
Programme Details
- Approximate Duration: 2 hours (Please arrive 15 minutes before the tour for registration)
- Language: English
- Meeting Point: Meet at the entrance of Zen Café, near the main entrance of Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery (88 Bright Hill Rd, Singapore 574117)
- Ending Point: The event will start and end at the same point.
- The events will proceed rain or shine.
What to bring?
- Participants should be dressed respectfully in smart casual (i.e. collared shirt, long pants and covered shoes). Sleeveless attire, shorts/miniskirts or sandals are strictly not allowed. Participants will be denied entry if they dress inappropriately.
- Participants should bring along an umbrella and a bottle of water.
- Please ensure that you bring along any personal medication. Asthmatic individuals are reminded to bring their inhaler.
Other important information
- Parking is available at the monastery.
- The venue is not wheelchair friendly.
- Photography is allowed during the event.
Disclaimer
- All ticket sales are final. There will be no refund if you wish to cancel your tickets.
- Each ticket admits only one participant.
- By agreeing to participate in the tour, every participant will be responsible for any injury, loss of damage due to careIessness of other actions on his/her part or that of children under his/her charge.
- Participants must abide by the house rules set out by the host. Facilitators will brief participants at the start of the programme.
- Videos and photographs may also be taken during the event. By registering for this event, you give My Community full rights to use the photos for marketing and publicity.
For updates:
- Follow us at @mycommunitysg on Instagram and @myqueenstown on Facebook.
- Visit mycommunity.org.sg to learn about our initiatives.
- Visit mycommunityfestival.sg for all our latest updates.
