THE BODHI MIRROR

Introducing the Eminent Dharma Master Seek Kong Poh

      Dharma Master Seek Kong Poh, also named Dhammarakshita, was born on April 18th, 1914, as Tan Kim Teck of a respectable and devout Buddhist family in Singapore. In his youth, he frequented and helped many Buddhist Viharas, accompanied by his parents. Later he served for thirty-eight years in a well-known commercial firm in Singapore and had a very successful career. In 1939 he became a member of the Buddhist Union and has been its President for seventeen years. On Wesak day, May 10th, 1960 Dharma Master Seek Kong Poh was ordained as a Bhikku--the Reverend Dhammarakshita of the Theravada order, by the Reverend Pakasit, Chief Monk of Wat Anandametyaram (a Thai Buddhist Temple) and he was also ordained as a Mahayana Monk, Seek Huat Pho, by the Reverend Seek Hong Choon, Abbot of the Phor Kark. See Temple, Thomson Road, Singapore. On May 12th, 1971 he was again ordained as a Mahayana Monk Seek Kong Poh, by the Reverend Seek Hong Choon, Abbot of the Phor Kark See Temple.     

Bhiksu Poh regularly visits numerous social service organizations--children's homes, sanitariums, hospitals, missions, and clinics for the purpose of distributing and donating gifts, of performing ceremonies and funeral rites for Buddhists, and for offering religious help for people in trouble and despair. He has served as a member of the Council of Social Services, a member of the Seafarers' Welfare Board, a council member of the Inter-religious Organization, a member of the Board of Visitors of the Social Welfare Department, and as Resident Monk of the Buddhist Union, Singapore.

In 1974 Dharma Master Seek Kong Poh traveled through Europe where he acted as a delegate in the Second World Conference of Religion for Peace. During that trip he was also had an audience with His Holiness Pope Paul VI at Castel Gandolfo.

In 1975 Dharma Master Seek Kong Poh traveled through Asia and North America. During his visit to San Francisco he was received by the Venerable Master Hua and the Bhiksus, Bhiksunis, Upasakas, and Upasikas and many others of the Gold Mountain Monastery. Issue #66 of Vajra Bodhi Sea contains a transcript of a lecture the Dharma Master delivered to the Gold Mountain Great Assembly during his visit. (Note: the editor apologizes for the misspelling of Seck Kong Poh’s name).