Hall of Grace

The Hall of Grace spans three wings, each watched over by Guan Yin. She’s depicted making a pair of revered mudras (or hand gestures in Sanskrit): her right hand is raised in the Abhaya Mudra, a gesture of fearlessness and divine protection, while her lowered left hand extends outwards in the Varada Mudra, a powerful symbol of her promise to grant all wishes.

Four identical Guan Yin monuments reside at the heart of the memorial hall, where a majestic octagonal tower clad in mosaic gold tiles and a gilded frame reigns supreme. These materials help the tower capture the brilliance of the chandelier and channel it throughout the central wing, creating a heavenly space for the departed.

If the central wing is a window into Heaven, then the east and west wings are grounded in the language of Earth. Each wing embraces an understated look, relying on a neutral colour palette to symbolise elements such as sand, stone, snow and clouds and evoke each soul’s connection to a life once lived.

The contrast between the different wings speaks volumes of the role Guan Yin plays in guiding the souls entrusted to her care from Earth to Sukhavati (the Western Pure Land), where each soul begins his or her quest for enlightenment.

This contrast is mirrored in the design of the niches. Those in the central wing are offered with a bronze facade and a gilded interior, while those in the east and west wings are offered with a white facade and a white interior with silver trims.

In both designs, a miniature Guan Yin monument encased in a cintamani (a wish-fulfilling jewel) takes centre stage. A leaf filigree wraps its edges, inviting light to filter through and reflect off the facets of the rhinestones. This effect magnifies the reverence for Guan Yin and her nature for inspiring spiritual awakening in souls.

They are further honoured in each niche, where you will find an inscription of the Anjali Mudra. The most widely recognised mudra, it’s a gesture of profound respect for the soul and a fitting tribute to the departed.