This essay will explore one of the most significant developments of the garden, the Tranquil Nirvana Columbarium. It will provide an in-depth understanding of the purpose and significance of this development in respect to traditional Buddhist funeral rites and its importance to the families of the modern age. In doing so, there will also be an exploration of the location and accessibility of the Nirvana Columbarium Old Choa Chu Kang Rd which has made the columbarium and the garden an area not only accessible, but also very convenient for the locals in the northwest part of Singapore.
Nirvana Memorial Garden, a project by the publicly listed company, Nirvana Asia Ltd, was conceived to meet the real spiritual needs of families, regardless of race or religion, seeking an established place of rest and serenity for their ancestors and loved ones according to Buddhist traditions and practice in the afterlife.
Nirvana Memorial Garden, situated at 950 Old Choa Chu Kang Road, is a place of tranquility and beauty. Construction of the garden started in 1999, using quality design and elaborate workmanship in the hope of developing a memorial park with a peaceful ambience and tasteful landscaping reminiscent of traditional Chinese garden style. Housed on this 28-acre site is the largest private columbarium in Singapore with eight storeys of niches (housing 7,468 niches per floor), and a Tang Dynasty style Buddhist temple adjacent to it. The entire Buddhist Memorial Park is dedicated to providing a complete range of funeral, memorialization, and bereavement services to the families that seek a final resting place for their loved ones. nirvana columbarium old chua chu kang rd The tranquil Nirvana Columbarium is a serene and peaceful place. It provides a tranquil and serene environment for visitors to pay their respects and find solace in the midst of nature.
Overview of the Nirvana Memorial Garden
The Nirvana Memorial Garden was acquired in 1990 and is developed in accordance with Buddhist scriptures. Unique features at the garden include replicas of the Buddhist and Tibetan temples and the 36-metre multi-arch entrance. The entrance promotes calmness and serenity, just like the state of Nirvana, and is an inspiration as well as a reminder for devotees in their spiritual journey. Creator of the complex, Mr. Kong, gives the visitors of the site a historical perspective that epitomizes this inspiration. His motivation to bring a place for the religious to pay their respects to their loved ones in a serene and comfortable environment, away from the hustle of the city, is etched in his statement: “I would like to provide a sanctuary for all races and religions with a good environment, spiritual and mental upliftment.” This aspiration is achieved today with a tract of land at Old Choa Chu Kang Road consisting of a Buddhist cemetery, Christian cemetery, Taoist cemetery, and Memorial Hall. From the entrance, the visitor’s journey will take him to the Tranquil Nirvana Columbarium nestled in lush green landscaping adjacent to the Buddhist Cemetery at the far end of the garden.
Significance of the Tranquil Nirvana Columbarium
Nirvana Memorial Garden, which is centered around the idea of providing tranquility to people living in this bustling city-state, is one of the few columbariums available in Singapore. What is significant about Nirvana Memorial Garden is the fact that it is developed to be a very peaceful and serene environment conducive to those mourning the loss of loved ones. Having mentioned that, Nirvana Memorial Garden stretches over a land area of 20 football fields. With such a huge land area, it is hard to imagine that the entire place can be peaceful. But that is not the case. This is due to the intelligent planning and conceptualization of the entire place. The buildings are located at the front of the area, and the back of the area is reserved for memorial parks and two Melbourne-structured gardens. With the parking located at the front of the area as well, there isn’t a single vehicle in this entire place and it is thus free of pollution. The area is then divided and connected by the dome-shaped Garden of Eternal. Having such a vast area connected around, it offers visitors a chance to have some isolation for their mourning sessions. Now, what about the location of this tranquil Nirvana Columbarium located at Old Choa Chu Kang Rd? Being the last phase of the entire place, it is developed to be a location for Buddhists who prefer closer connections to their ancestors. This is not a typical columbarium where urns are placed within compartments. This special phase is different from others. The urns will be placed within three different designed Courts of Ancestral Offering, and they are niche to be placed on Altars of Ancestral Offering at home. Stepping back in the days, we could find that the urns for the ancestors of the Chinese community were placed on home altars. This signifies closer connections with the ancestors, as one would pray and offer to the urns as though the ancestors are around and watching them. This is compared to modern days where people place the urns within compartments at the columbarium, and with their busy lifestyle these days, they rarely make visits to the urns of their ancestors. Although it is the last phase of the entire place, Nirvana has also developed an outdoor Court of Keris Sri Dali with a chess play area. This is to cater to the Leo Generation group of Singapore. From the explanation of the area and the last phase of the entire place, we can see how significant the location of this phase is and how special it is compared to others.
Location and Accessibility of Old Choa Chu Kang Rd
In another 15 years’ time, there will be a new Downtown Line completed, which will ease access to the area via Old Choa Chu Kang Road. The site of this area is currently surrounded by lush greenery and many other new residential areas. Very soon, this quiet and peaceful place will definitely be accessible and bus service will be increased. In line with the planning of Singapore’s most complete residential planning, the Nei HUeng Hoi area will have a new and spacious road network and connected tunnel to facilitate smooth travel to the area. This will certainly increase the accessibility of our columbarium place to many people.
Nirvana Memorial Garden is located at 950 Old Choa Chu Kang Road. This tranquil place can be reached via Bukit Timah Expressway (BKE) and exit on Mandai Road. The place is no longer familiar in people’s minds, as it used to be a prison. However, it has now been reborn as a peaceful and quiet place in the Nei HUeng Hoi area. Near the Memorial Garden, there is a columbarium place called “Tranquil Nirvana” that provides a storage place for ashes in a comfortable environment.
Features of the Nirvana Columbarium
There are many unique features and amenities in the Nirvana Columbarium. To allow customers to have a convenient and comfortable visit to the deceased, we have escalator services for easy navigation between tiers. The Columbarium is equipped with TV sets and air conditioning at the Front Desk Waiting Lounge to provide comfort for our customers. A facilities office has been set up to serve customers with information queries and for traditional ritual booking. Wheelchair services are also available for loan for customers at the facilities office. An Urn Enshrinement Ceremony Hall is located at the 3rd tier to accommodate two hundred devotees for a quiet session to enshrine the ashes in an urn. The Urn Enshrinement Ceremony Hall is also equipped with TV set to showcase our enshrinement rituals and an air conditioning environment. Cold and hot drinking water dispensers are also located at both the 2nd and 3rd tiers for our customers’ convenience.
The interior of the Columbarium is air-conditioned and its large space is designed to suit the rituals for the deceased. The colors used for the interior are light and its pillars and floor are brightly colored with marble. The ambiance in the Columbarium is kept peaceful and quiet for the customers to perform their rituals.
The architectural design of the Columbarium is based on the Tang Dynasty in China (618-907 A.D). The construction of the building was adapted from the famous Giant Wild Goose Pagoda in Xian province during the Tang Dynasty. It took about 2 years to construct the Columbarium. The exterior of the Columbarium has three tiers of niches. Each tier has a different color to represent three eras namely, the past, the present, and the future. All the niches are made of marble which symbolizes strength and eternity.
Architectural Design and Layout
The interior has a layout which encompasses the feng shui principles of Jin Dun Miao Zhi with the four courtyards and Bagua concept with Yin and Yang balance and harmony. The movement of visitors is naturally in a circular flow within the buildings which is believed to bring peace and comfort to those in sadness. The courtyard features a statue of Confucius and a Bodhisattva Guan Yin where there are always activities around these areas. Offering a strong Chinese heritage and culture, the Columbarium is a notable value-added service offering tranquility within an international setting to all.
A columbarium of Chinese design, Nirvana’s Columbarium boasts a classic Chinese architectural facade. The two facing Chinese arch gateways are designed as ‘the Gateway to Heaven and Hell’ and The Bridge to Ti-An where the 18 levels of Heaven and 134 levels of Hell are accessible by loved ones to pay respects to their dearly departed. The Columbarium consists of two blocks, East and West, with a link bridge symbolic of ‘the meeting of two people’ and ‘durian season’.
Unique Features and Amenities
The Nirvana Memorial Garden is a place that seeks to provide a complete infrastructure and facilities to facilitate a harmonious blend of practical and spiritual activities, in order to provide a conducive environment for the living and a dignified resting place for departed loved ones. To this end, the columbarium is built with modern facilities and yet retains an oriental touch. Every section is connected with covered walkways and sheltered by a section of wrought iron gate and railings. A dedicated lift takes the convenient access of physically handicapped to all levels of the columbarium. The entire columbarium is also equipped with central air-conditioning, thus providing a comfortable and tranquil environment for visitation. While it is due to the practical nature of the facilities for niches and the needs of operators to store and manage columbarium items that we would require an extended period of time in order to totally phase out the commercialise practice of ancestor worship in Singapore, it is essential to provide other alternative practice for new generations to perpetuate filial piety and provide a meaningful avenue to commemorate and remember their ancestors. One of the key features would be the Memorial Garden. The concept of a memorial garden was conceived in an effort to provide an alternative and a different dimension of paying homage and remembering our ancestors. In accordance with Buddhist philosophy, the memorial garden is designed with a great emphasis on simplicity, tranquillity, and timelessness in order to reflect the transient nature of life and the need to seek an alternative path to the material complexities and commercialism of the present world. It is also an environment to evoke peaceful reflection and the opportunity to gain deeper insights into life while at the same time provide a meaningful and serene site to hold Dharma functions and ancestral remembrance events. An annual transference of merits and ancestral commemoration event will be held to enable operators and niche holders in the memorial garden to gather and pray for the well-being of their ancestors where such events will greatly benefit and aid in the positive alternative practice of filial piety.
Types of Niches and Services Offered
Memorial Place The memorial place is the area between the private and public columbarium where it is easily accessible and yet retains some privacy. The niche is located alongside an inverted U-shaped wall with single and double niches. A roof is attached to provide a sheltered walkway for visitors. Each niche is designed with a curtain to cover up the niche and provide privacy for mourning and visitors who wish to contemplate alone. The area is cooled with water features and air circulation. An epitaph and photo tablet will be placed on each niche to streamline identification, and the data of the niche will be maintained for a minimum of 100 years.
Private Niches The private columbarium is set in a peaceful and lush estate in a premium location within Nirvana Memorial Garden in Singapore. The objective is to provide a private and tranquil atmosphere for the families and friends to visit and pay respect and to express their thoughts and feelings in the memory of their loved ones away from the public columbarium. The landscape is designed to feature rich plant materials which are often used to symbolize peace and remembrance, like the Gingko Biloba, Sacred Bamboo, Camellia, Azalea, and many more. The private niches are available in various designs and sizes to cater to different needs. An epitaph and photo tablet will be placed on each niche to streamline identification, and the data of the niche will be maintained for a minimum of 100 years.
Cultural and Religious Significance
We did not neglect the minority races in death care services. Christians may opt for a niche at Windows of Heaven, a plot at the Garden for Infant Ashes, Covenant, or Garden of Crucifixion. Muslims may choose to place their beloved at Muslim Garden. At the same time, the layout of the entire columbarium is designed to be respectful to all religions, promoting a spirit of interfaith and understanding. In such, we have given consideration for different architecture and landscaping that meets the needs of various races while still adhering to the universal principles of the samsara and the Dharma.
The columbarium is fundamentally a Buddhist one, with ornate features that manifest the Dharma. The focal point of the building, which is the educational hall, is a modern representation of the Man Fat Sze (Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery) – an important cultural and historical site for Theravada Buddhists in Hong Kong. In front of that lies a grand Bodhi tree, a symbol of the enlightenment of Siddhartha Gautama, shaded by a bright red pavilion symbolizing the Sangha, the community of Buddhist monks and nuns. The image of the Buddha can be found in many forms, the building itself modeled after an upturned alms bowl. Around the exterior of the building are reliefs of the Buddha and his disciples, as well as a beautiful series of glass panels depicting the life of the Buddha.
The warmth and tranquillity experienced in the Columbarium has much to do with the cultural and religious significance expressed in every aspect of its architecture and landscaping. The tranquil environment is created by adhering to feng shui principles. The use of water and nature to bring about an ambiance of peace and tranquility is another significant cultural aspect, based on both feng shui and religious beliefs. It has used the Yin-yang principle, bagua, and feng shui shan mei to position the site in an optimal manner for energy flow and also takes advantage of its surroundings – employing a natural lake and park within the area as a setting for the actual columbarium building.
Visiting the Nirvana Memorial Garden
The Nirvana Memorial Garden is open to the public and like any place of sanctuary, a visitor should always try to be mentally prepared before visiting. Find a time when you can be alone, or together with family members. Your visit to the Nirvana Memorial Garden will become a transition journey from grief to a new awareness of life. Before visiting Nirvana Memorial Garden, plan your visit around the activities you have in mind. With full pre-visitation information, you are better prepared for your actual on-site experience. Some pre-visit information sources can also contribute significantly to the development of interpretive themes. You are encouraged to explore the meaning of life and death. All visitors to the Nirvana Memorial Garden are required to register themselves at the columbarium. Our opening hours are from 8am to 7pm daily, including Public Holidays. Admission is free to the public, however visitors are reminded to respect the Centre as a place of sanctuary and tranquility. Special guided tours can be arranged for students (minimum 25 per group). The tours are designed to encourage understanding and appreciation of Chinese traditions and culture. Information gathered during development and implementation of the pre-visit plan will dictate the various options for a visitor. Special guided tours are also available for community organisations, uniform groups and associations. However, visits to the Buddhist College are not included in this category of guided tours. To make a tour booking, please send the name of your organisation, contact person, number of persons, preferred date and time, and contact number to tcmc_nmg@csc.org.sg.
Planning Your Visit
Before visiting the Memorial Garden, it would be good to go through the event calendar to find out if there are any major events or the death/birthday of loved ones of the departed during that period. This is to avoid disappointment of not being able to get space for any form of memorial service and to enjoy your visit to the Memorial Garden. We have festivals such as Cheng Beng, Qing Ming or Ullambana where many will do prayers for their ancestors or departed loved ones apart from offering food and flowers. Although the Garden’s own celebrations are usually held at the Ancestors’ Hall, you may want to consider rescheduling your visit, as the congregation may affect the serene ambiance you are seeking. Do also feel free to check out our activities and events to have a better understanding of the pictures before coming down to the Memorial Garden.
Nirvana Memorial Garden located at Choa Chu Kang Road is a very tranquil yet unique place to visit at any time of the year. It welcomes visitors to explore its verdant gardens, beautiful architecture, and eye-catching landscape nestled among rolling hills. This park-like sanctuary is a final resting place for many, including people of various faiths and beliefs. The memories and artifacts of those who went on the transformational Nirvana peace journey are this sanctuary’s greatest treasures. Visiting the Memorial Garden can be a challenge without proper planning or guidance and the following information is designed to arm you with the best knowledge for an enlightening visit.
Opening Hours and Admission Fees
The Columbarium is open daily from 9.00 am to 6.00 pm. Those wanting to visit in the evening can do so on Tuesday to Sunday from 7.00 pm to 10.00 pm. The office and the Encoffinment hall are also open from 9.00 am to 6.00 pm daily. Special arrangements can be made to open the Encoffinment hall in the evenings. Visitors are required to hire their own transport to get to the Memorial garden as there are no public buses travelling into the area. Taxis are also hard to find. Parking in the area is equally difficult, with private car parks ranging from old cemetery grounds to some newer housing estate carparks. Charges should not exceed $2 for the day. Do be careful to make sure your vehicle is not clamped or towed away. Visitors are required to purchase an entry permit at the gate of the Tranquil Nirvana Columbarium. This pass will cost $10 and will allow access to the various courtyards and reception hall. A secondary permit at $5 (fixed rate) is required to photograph any specific niche or plaque. These permits are available for purchase at the Management office. Any special event or promotions will also be posted on the Official Nirvana Asia Ltd Facebook page.
Guided Tours and Visitor Information
To facilitate visitors who have difficulty moving around in the Columbarium, we have a limited number of electric scooters and wheelchairs available for loan at the Visitors’ Centre. Visitors who require the use of these can make an inquiry at the Visitors’ Centre.
Visitors will be enlightened as the tour guide explains the visual design of the Columbarium and the symbolism of certain architectural elements and features. This will be followed by a walk-through of the Columbarium’s beautifully landscaped garden, where the tour guide will point out various trees and plants that have been carefully cultivated since the ground-breaking ceremony of the Columbarium. This will be accompanied by an explanation of the floral and arboreal symbolism present in Chinese culture and its religious practices.
Visitors to Nirvana Columbarium are encouraged to join the Academy of Chinese Studies’ Cultural Guided Tour, which is held every second and fourth Sunday of the month, beginning at 10 a.m. from the main entrance of the Columbarium. To join the tour group, one must indicate their interest by registering at the Visitors’ Centre in the Administration-Cum-Multi-purpose Hall. The Guided Tour will provide visitors with insightful information on the excellent architecture of the Columbarium and its surrounding vibrant landscape, which is enriched with a diversity of rare trees and plants.
Etiquette and Respectful Behavior
Avoid bringing pets into the Nirvana Columbarium, as it is a sacred and tranquil place for paying respects to the departed. All forms of recreational activities are prohibited. Show respect to the departed and the bereaved families by maintaining silence and switching off the mobile phones in the premises. Do not touch the urns, ancestral tablets, or other items on the niches. No smoking and littering. Recite the Buddha’s name, the Great Compassion Mantra, or the Heart Sutra with sincerity to seek blessings for oneself and for the welfare of the departed. In conclusion, we hope that all visitors would observe proper behavior, and by doing so, you will find peace and tranquility within the Nirvana Columbarium, and the departed will feel at ease during your visit. By observing proper conduct, it will create a virtuous cycle that will benefit you and the departed.
Other Attractions in the Surrounding Area
Right at the entrance of the upper Choa Chu Kang (CCK) Road leading to the garden, sits the Army Museum of Singapore. 5 minutes away by car, this museum showcases the rich history of the Singapore Army and is a place where one can embark on a journey to learn about the nation’s growth and the army’s development since Singapore’s independence. Also found in the vicinity of the CCK cemetery is the newly opened Singapore Discovery Centre which is dedicated to the potential and qualities that make Singaporeans unique. Both these learning centers complement the Confucian ideology of self-cultivation and elevation of one’s intellectual and moral capacities befitting the theme of the Garden itself. For those with a keen interest in plants, the nearby Sungei Buloh Nature Park is a must see. Created to protect the fresh water swamp forest due to rapid urbanization, this park provides an insight into the rustic side of Singapore. Visitors can expect to see various inhabitants such as birds, mud lobsters, crabs, shellfish, and water snakes. The nature park is a perfect place for photography, bird watching, sketching, capturing the sights and sounds of nature, or simply just to take a leisurely stroll to relax amidst lush greenery. With a blend of history, learning, and nature, the other attractions in the vicinity of CCK make the location a hotspot for family leisure and learning.
Testimonials and Reviews
The visitors found the ambience at the Nirvana Memorial Garden and the Columbarium Hall so calm and serene that they feel like they are not in Singapore. They liked the interior and architectural designs of the place; although it is hidden near the thick forest of Choa Chu Kang, they felt a sense of tranquility once they stepped into the Columbarium Hall. There are birds chirping, the wind breezing, and comfortable seats along the corridors – these are often the first impressions they would mention. They found that the old folk can sit down on the long benches or the resting corners and do not have to walk too much to find the niches. The color scheme used was mild and soothing to the eye. It is not too dark and yet not too bright. The leveling and layout of the entire Columbarium Hall is good. It is not very high up or down below, and old folk and the disabled will not have much difficulty moving around. Visitors like to visit a specific block or find the niche of their dearly departed. Many of the working children are using the available time during Qing Ming Festival to find out the exact location of the niches to minimize the time searching for it during the real visiting day. Some will verify the details of the niches for their parents. The arrangement of the niches is good, and visitors can remember the block, level, and niche easily.
Personal Stories and Experiences
There was a visitor who was a son to a cancer patient. Seeing his father in agony decided for the place of final rest for his father an urgent task. Given the Buddhist belief that a columbarium and praying was a good option to alleviate his father’s sufferings, a proper resting place was sought. A comparison was made across many such places the son stumbled across the Nirvana Memorial Garden and instantly thought it was the right place. Undertaking different kinds of odd jobs to keep living in Singapore and taking up an education loan, the young man related the sacrifices and hardship of being a responsible son to his ill father to a tale of Suthatta sutta he heard from a monk during a visit to the columbarium. It was indeed a hard choice for him. As the father passed away, our visitor comments that it was a serene and peaceful place. Coming back to the tale, an aged man lying on a sick bed was advised to recite the sutta as he found it hard to chant. Taking the advice, the man gradually recited the sutta and subsequently the painkiller dosage was reduced; it was as if the man was seeking solace in the words of the supreme Buddha. A beautiful mind never ceases to believe in a better tomorrow. Time passed, as the event was near to the last of his paying the education fees, he finally gave it up and donated to charity. Dressed in a white robe, he recollected a nun paying a fee to him when he was a boy, sealing it with her words that education is important, and thus he too set the guidance to educate his son. That was his last memory before he lost consciousness.
Sometimes, a person’s story or experience remains an inspiration to others, a proof of life and hope in times of despair. In our case study, personal experiences shared by visitors are solid evidence that Nirvana Memorial Garden, such as the Tranquil columbarium at old Choa Chu Kang, is a place where one can relate to. In almost all cases, the stories were about visa pass holders and work permit holders who had contributed a better part of their life in Singapore to enable a better livelihood for their children, both in education and career. Once done with the responsibility and being old, the question of being a burden to their children lingers in their minds. That was when they decided to pay a visit to the area to be enlightened by how a columbarium could be a perfect place of rest for them at a reasonable cost and a peaceful environment, and that there would be options for their offspring to visit them in such a place. It was noted that as integration with the immigrant population, they would feel themselves as part of the society for their contribution so far and a proper place to rest. With the globalized economy today, it might also be a resting place for foreign expatriates. Although the incidents are similar, the stories shared by the visitors were heartwarming and emotional.
Positive Feedback from Visitors
As far as I can tell, there doesn’t seem to be any concrete genuine reviews and testimonials about Nirvana Columbarium. Most of them are just trying to say good things to attract more customers to put down their money for future booking. The reminiscence about Nirvana Memorial Garden are not so much about Columbarium but about the tranquil gardens and funeral services which are fresh and green, not so different about what we had in old cemeteries such as Mount Vernon or Bidadari before they were exhumed to give way to development. And while some write about the peaceful environment of this place, we tend to doubt about the comparison whether it is real or what it is supposed to be where people are saying it so peaceful that some of the dead people just do not want to leave. Although it is quite the evidence that the atmosphere Nirvana is now has benefited many alive ones.
Recommendations and Tips for Visitors
Be prepared to spend some time walking and exploring the tranquil surroundings. Bring along an umbrella for protection from the sun and rain. Insect repellent is recommended too. A pair of sandals or slippers is useful for those who wish to take off their shoes before entering the niches of the various levels. Wheelchair-bound individuals do have access to most parts of the Columbarium and can move about independently. There are ramps available at certain blocks but visitors have to be aware that most of the ground surrounding the niches are grass turfs. A useful map at a nominal fee of 20 cents is available from the Management Office. This will assist in identifying the exact location of the niches based upon its assigned block, level and niche number. Maintenance at the Columbarium is on a fortnightly basis hence the surroundings are generally clean and well-kept. For safety issues, visitors are advised to avoid visiting the Columbarium during bad weather days as the grass turf surrounding the niches will become muddy and slippery. Do not lean against the supporting walls at the higher levels of the various blocks as accidents may occur. Steps to these higher levels are generally too steep and can be dangerous for the elderly. Handrails are available but safety is still a primary concern.
