Verification Studies on the Geo-Design of Bright Hill Monastery
The flourishing place with Wu-Chang Faction of geomancy
Bright Hill, so named, is not exactly a grand hill but an undulating mount. Whereupon this mount is the Phor Kark See temple, whose geomancy layout designer is none other than the Venerable Sek Hong Choon being a well-known monk in the Malay Archipelago.
Historical Background
Venerable Sek was born in 1907 (2nd Age), came to Singapore in 1938, thereafter went to Penang in 1943 to be the abbot of Mio Hiong Lim Temple where he met Wu-Chang Sect Geomancy Grand Master Yu Xi-yin. This chance encounter made the Grand Master accept the Venerable as his selected disciple to impart the Xuan Kong geomancy theories.
Therefore in 1965, Venerable Sek officially returned to Singapore to take charge of the building of Phor Kark See Temple. Venerable Sek Hong Choon devoted his time to the Buddhist faith. It is a great loss for not imparting his geomancy skills to any of his close disciples. We could only induce from the geo-design of Bright Hill Monastery, the theory of his geomancy methods.
Wu-Chang Sect of Geomancy
This Sect has its origin in Wu-xi, Chang-zhou region, located within the Jiang-su province in China. Wu-xi is a populated and resourceful water-town with famous geomancy masters, namely:- Zhang Zhong-shan, Shen Zhu-ying, Tan Yang-wu, Yu Xi-yin, Yong Bo-yun and many others.
Facing stars are ‘14’, indicating education and fame. The temple having educational and reputed status will be of much hope to the faith learners aspiring early to supramudane realization and fame will lead to effective propagation of Buddhism (most South East Asian temples are facing west, but this temple otherwise faces the North-East).
Unique Features of the Geomancy
The fundamental Xuan Kong Gua Axis of the Phor Kark See Temple
Sitting Jing Star Age:6 Gua Age:7 Facing Shi Ke Star Age:6 Gua Age:3
Both Star Age being 6, the favorable star of the Lower Cycle, though not quite enhancing. Moreover, facing Gua Age being 3 indicates dissolution energy of the Upper Cycles.
Design Adaptations
To bring about the continuous enhancement of its position till the 9th Age of the Lower Cycles, the Main Hall of the Temple has its doors slightly tilted in their facings, the following being their conformities:
Star Age: 9, You Bi star, Mu Gua, metal-earth elemental category, southern Gua.
This method can fill the gap of tensile ripe by the twin-star formation, and correct the defect of prosperous star fall in the wrong position.
Door Orientations
The doors after correction of facing are as follows:
- Front door: Heng Star Age 9 Gua Age 8
- Back door: Yi Star Age 9 Gua Age 2
- Left door: Sun Star Age 9 Gua Age 6
- Right door: Xian Star Age 9 Gua Age 4
In the study of Great Attributes of Mystic Cosmic- the Xuan Kong Da Gua theory, this strategy called ‘Coherence of energies of the You Bi star.‘
Empirical Testing of Wu-Chang Sect Geomancy
A major unique feature of the Wu-Chang Sect of geomancy is the special focus on the siting of water sources and their corresponding courses into the various sectors of subsidence and enhancement (note: Xuan Kong Oral Rendition on theory states that “Mountains govern the solid strength and Waters govern the flowing gentleness”). Phor Kark See Temple is situated upon a mount on Bright Hill Monastery, being built along the hill with waterways running by the hill contours from the highlands to low lying areas, with the main water pool wrapping in the formation of ‘Golden Belt around the Waist’.
Water Flow Analysis
The source of the waterways lies in the Xun sector (water-star 9), undulating level of the mound gives rise to small waterfalls, flowing through Zhen sector (water-star 8), and gathering at Gen sector (water-star 4). From these we see the water flow in cycles of subsidence and enhancement, hence in accordance to the principle of balanced movement and stillness.
As such, Phor Kark See Temple does not see an end in visiting followers, and all donations given willingly. Herein is the geographical picture of Bright Hill Monastery reproduced for readers to carefully study its intricate geo-design and to realize the Sages’ words: “Heavenly secrets are within the Xuan Kong, Pure Energy flow differs constantly; the Fateful Ones to know will see Its Wonder, the Three Era is thus within a palm’s grasp”.
