This is a story of how destinies collide: Lee Boon Siong’s zeal for eco-friendly energy solutions intersected with his newfound Buddhist faith, and the two merged to create something beautifully unique – a temple powered by renewable technology, with environmental-friendly features ranging from solar-heated hot water to electricity generated from falling rainwater and fertiliser recycled from urine.
“Green technology saves the environment and saves money,” says the 69-year-old former lawyer. “It’s time we start taking notice of the needs of Mother Earth – she is crying out for help.”
On His Blessings
I was among the first batch of graduates from the National University of Singapore. At that time, it was easy for a graduate to land a good job. I worked in Singapore for seven years before my career path took me to Vancouver, Canada. After a few years, I returned to Singapore and finally retired in 1995. Just before my retirement, a relative asked me to offer my services to Poh Ern Shih temple. Though I was not a Buddhist at that time, I agreed as it turns out my grandfather, who was a devout Buddhist, had built the temple. I also obliged because of the blessings I had received in life: Living in Singapore and getting a degree had offered me an abundance of opportunities. Moreover, I belonged to the batch of Singaporean men who escaped having to serve National Service! I was very eager to pay it back and be of service to society.
On Change
Poh Ern Shih Temple has many elderly devotees, and because the building sits on a very steep hill, it’s difficult for even cars to drive up, much less the elderly to climb up. These people have kept the temple going for the last 50 years and I felt it was important to accommodate their needs. Today, the temple is entirely senior citizen-friendly with wheelchair ramps and seats in elevators. I have received both good and bad comments following my implementation of alternative energy, but most importantly, I’ve learnt that one needs to have a strong conviction in the positive aspects that one’s decisions can bring before great change can be effected.
On Green Consciousness
Eco-friendly technology technology is integrated into the lives of many Canadians, and it rubbed off on me during my stay there. From 1985 to 1995, there was very little awareness of eco-friendly technology in Singapore. Take solar-heated water for instance – we get so much sunlight here, but hardly anyone harnesses it to heat water! With the high cost of electricity, I was naturally puzzled why such technology wasn’t encouraged. Considering that Singapore has a growing ageing population and a high demand for heated water, it makes perfect sense to use solar-generated electricity to better utilise our energy resources and save money for everyone. Singaporeans are not receptive to eco-friendly technology because we’ve not been educated about it enough. But I’m glad the government is now beginning to sound the clarion call. Tertiary institutions are also now conducting courses on environmental technology. It’s important for us to develop a better understanding about the need for alternative energy, and there’s no better time than now to elicit change.
On The Real Cost
Most Singaporeans are still skeptical about eco-friendly technology – they always ask how much it costs. Well, it isn’t cheap: The solar panels cost $220,000 and based on current electricity charges and savings, I expect to break even within 25 years. You might ask if it makes sense to spend so much money on this technology, but I say Mother Earth is dying of cancer and she’s crying out for help. If your father came down with cancer, would you not spare any cost in saving him? Imagine what he would think if you decided that it was too costly to save his life? You wouldn’t do that. All of us live in the same house, and now that the house is burning down, we’re still asking how much it costs to save it?
On Doing Our Part
If you can afford it, invest in environmental technology. Otherwise, participate in smaller ways, like recycling for instance – by minimising the use of plastic bags and air conditioning. You’ll help the environment by consuming less energy and natural resources. Every drop in the ocean will make a difference and everybody’s effort will count, no matter how small. This message must cut across all sectors of society, all religions and all races.
On Faith
Although I came from Anglo-Chinese School, I never became a Christian as my father told me not to decide on a religion until I was a mature adult. This left me spiritually open throughout my life until the cusp of my retirement. Ironically, I knew more about Christianity than Buddhism as Bible Reading was a compulsory subject during my time. When the Sept 11 terrorist attacks in the US occurred, my life reached a turning point. I listened to a Buddhist master and what he said jolted me to believe in Buddhism. He said that what happened that fateful day was a result of karma, or cause and effect. I believe that we reap the fruits of the good and bad things we do in life. I used to lead a decadent lifestyle that resulted in my wife leaving me – I didn’t want to wait any longer to atone for my sins. I adopted Buddhism as my religion and have been a vegetarian ever since.
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