Kusu Island
■Book 104 - A Plethora Of Scenic Splendours
■Written by GrandMaster Sheng-yen Lu
We arrived at Kusu island, one of the smallest island at the southern part of Singapore at noon of December 18,1992.
There are two temples on the island. One is for the local god; another for the Datok (A Malaysian title). The latter is built on the slope of the only knoll in the island. These two temples are not far apart.
Why is the island known as Kusu (Turtle island)? May be the shape of the island looks like a turtle. The reputations of these two temples are well known in the vicinity. The annual pilgrimage is well attended by the believers. The sight is spectacular when sticks of incense are burnt.
Kusu island is really small; almost as small as a ship. Apart from a small garden, it is surrounded by endless water.
The sea water sparkles under the golden light just like a folded skirt of a passionate young lady. The dense smell of the sea follows the transparent breeze, it is refreshing. I took a few deep breaths, enjoying the breeze to my heart's content.
My impression is the sea water is extraordinary blue. And the blue is so pure and penetrating. A feeling of mighty current ripples in the bottom of my heart.
Surrounded by many small islands, Singapore could be considered an island country - albeit when compared with Philippines and Indonesia, a country with more than a thousand islands, the surrounding islands of Singapore are just too small.
We went to tour the local god temple first. It could be considered the show piece of the island although it is very small. The local god is enshrined in the center (local god is also the fortune god.)
The side halls house Avaloketisvara Bodhisattva and the eight immortals of the Taoist faith.
I do not know the history of this small temple . It does not have any grandeur to show. There are ponds around the temple, when it is high tide, sea water will fill the ponds, which a few concrete turtles are placed.
Cupping my hands, I paid my respects. In my deep concentration, I saw the true-self of the local god (What the local god was in his previous life). He pleaded with me not to divulge his secret. I did not utter a word.
Then we went to visit and pay respect to the Datok.
Built on a big piece of rock on the steep slope, and surrounded by trees, the temple does not look like one. The access is a narrow path. It is more a family shrine. Altar tables are erected for the Datok, his wife, his son and his daughter. There are no images, only a few pieces of rock behind the altars. Cupping my hands, I paid my respects.
Someone asked me, “Why do people pray to local god and Datok here?”
I replied, “There was a causation. The last time I had a ritual at the Toa Payoh Indoor Stadium, many gods attended the function.
Two of them whom I did not know, told me they were from Kusu Island. One spoke in Mandarin, and the other in Malay. They invited me to Kusu Island. That is how I come to know the place and tour the island today.”
Someone asked again, “Master Lu Sheng Yen, did local god and Datok come to welcome you just now?”
I smiled and did not answer.
Both the local god and Datok asked me not to reveal a word about them, that is why I just smiled. Normally based on my character, I would tell people what I know, since there is no secret in this world.
But the two gods pleaded with me not to reveal their secrets, lest they should have troubles and rumours to deal, I agreed to keep quiet and not to say a word.
They wanted some privacy. Their representations are protected by the law of karma. I will have to face the consequences if I leak them.
That is why I had to say, “I could not tell.”
