星洲道院 • 世界紅卍字會新嘉坡總主會
The Origins and Founding of the Singapore Dao Yuan
and The World Red Swastika Society (Singapore Administration Centre)
Part Six: The World Red Swastika Society and the Women's Ethical Society
The World Red Swastika Society Singapore Branch - 1937
Eight months after the Dao Yuan’s registration – deliberately allowing the essence (體) to precede the function (用) – Wu Shengpeng (吳勝鵬, Dao name Oufu 歐福) applied for registration of The World Red Swastika Society Singapore Branch (世界紅卍字會星洲分會) on the 22nd of July 1937. He became the Society’s first President.
Source (E) records the process of Wu Shengpeng’s recruitment: Lo Zhiyuan and Zhu Zhiduan were instructed by the Buddha Ji to visit Wu Shengpeng and invite him to join. When Wu received the planchette instruction in writing, he immediately agreed with joy, and was bestowed the Dao name Oufu (歐福). The Dao name itself carries the mission: 歐 (Europe/the West) 福 (blessedness/good fortune) – the blessings of the Dao reaching westward, through Wu’s service.
The 1939 Nanyang Yearbook recorded: founding year 1936; responsible persons Wu Shengpeng, Mei Guangen (梅光恩), Lo Chengde (羅承德); 200 members; monthly expenses S$300.
The Women's Ethical Society (女道德社)
Key Details
21st day of the 9th lunar month, 1937
First premises
214 Orchard Road – took over when Dao Yuan moved to Hill Street
Elevated
1st day of the 8th lunar month, 1947 – Nanyang Main Women’s Ethical Society
Relocated
39 Lorong 20 Geylang Road – 1960
Current
76 Keng Lee Road – 2004
Divine anticipation
One of the three sacred shrine tablet Icon of The Most Holy One from Beijing (1935) was specifically for the Women’s Ethical Society – its establishment was always part of the original divine commission