Shuang Lin Monastery (11)

Shuang Lin Monastery - D700 70-300mm @ 78 ISO400 f/4.5 1/80

This series is to end. I highly recommend a visit to the monastery. For more information on the site and its history, you may consult www.shuanglin.sg.

Shuang Lin Monastery (10)

Shuang Lin Monastery - D700 70-300mm @ 230 ISO400 f/11 1/200

The roofs of the monastery.

Shuang Lin Monastery (9)

Shuang Lin Monastery - D700 70-300mm @ 240 ISO200 f/13 1/400

Dragons protecting the temple.

Shuang Lin Monastery (8)

Shuang Lin Monastery - D700 70-300mm @ 70 ISO200 f/11 1/100

Detail of the pagoda.

Shuang Lin Monastery (7)

Due to the proximity of the HDB developments, it was particularly difficult to capture the main pagoda without any buildings in the frame. This angle gives the impression that this towering pagoda is a lighthouse braving large waves represented by the roofs.

Shuang Lin Monastery (6)

D700 70-300mm @ 230 ISO200 f/7.1 1/640

Roof detail.

Shuang Lin Monastery (5)

D700 70-300mm @ 95 ISO400 f/4.5 1/30

Remarkable workmanship on the doors.

Shuang Lin Monastery (4)

D700 70-300mm @ 70 ISO100 f/16 1/10

After a light drizzle, the petals that fall from the flowering trees are being swept away.

Shuang Lin Monastery (3)

D700 70-300mm @ 125 ISO800 f/4.8 1/100

While the photography of most statues within the monastery is not allowed, I was authorized to take pictures of the Thousand Arm Kuan Yin or Goddess of Infinite Mercy. In the Buddhist tradition, she is a bodhisattva (a human being who completed all karma and reached nirvana) who sprang from one of the Buddha's tears. She decided to stay on earth until all suffering ended.

Shuang Lin Monastery (2)

D700 24mmPCE ISO400 f/10 1/60

The monastery was built following a traditional Chinese layout involving multiple courtyards. The place is serene with its well maintained potted garden and general quietude.

Shuang Lin Monastery (1)

D700 24mmPCE ISO400 f/20 1/80

To continue the tour of Singapore's National Monuments, a visit to the oldest Buddhist monastery (est. 1898) had to be scheduled. Located in a agricultural area when built, the monastery now lies between the Central Expressway and HDB developments. A visit of the site is definitely rewarding.

This first shot is of the entrance gate viewed from the inside courtyard to take advantage of the sun rays and interesting cloud cover. I could not resist a little tonal improvement in post processing to give some "punch" to the sky.