Founded in 1921 by Venerable Sik Zhuan Dao, it was meant to be a place for practice, to propagate the Dharma, and to provide lodging for monks, as many who came to Singapore did not have lodging at that time.
It was built in the midst of a rubber plantation situated at Kong Meng San, thus came the name of Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery (KMSPKS). It became the first traditional Chinese forest monastery in Singapore.
KMSPKS has grown dynamically with the changing world in its Dharma propagation efforts. We aspire to be a model of international Buddhist hub, which nurtures a culture for the active propagation, learning and practice of socially-engaged Dharma, guided by Compassion and Wisdom, for the Enlightenment of all.
Milestone
| 1921 | Venerable Sik Zhuan Dao founded KMSPKS 转道老和尚发心兴建十方道场，接纳十方僧众 |
| 1943 | Venerable Sik Zhuan Dao passed on at the age of 72 转道老和尚圆寂,世寿72 Venerable Seck Hong Choon took over as second abbot 宏船老和尚接任第二任方丈 |
| 1947 | Completion of building – Crematorium 火化场落成 Completion of building – Columbarium 骨灰塔落成 |
| 1966 | First Grand Dedication of Merits Ceremony at KMSPKS 光明山普觉禅寺举办第一届水陆大法会 |
| 1971 | Start of Phor Kark See Monastery Extension Project Fund Trusteeship 宏船长老成立普觉禅寺扩建护法团 |
| 1978 | Completion of building – Dharma Hall & Library 藏经楼与图书馆落成 |
| 1980 | - Completion of building:Hall of Great Compassion大悲殿落成 - Completion of Evergreen Nursing Home 光明山修身院建竣 |
| 1982 | Completion of building – Hall of Precepts 甘露戒坛落成 |
| 1984 | First monastery in Singapore to hold 3-steps-1-bow 本地第一间举办三步一拜的寺院 |
| 1985 | Organised the first Novitiate Programme 首办短期出家课程 Visit by Her Royal Highness, Princess Sirinthron of Thailand to offer robes presented by His Eminence, the Supreme Patriarch of the Thai monastic community 泰国公主诗琳通，亲持泰僧王之袈裟赠礼，来新拜见宏船长老 Foundation-Laying Ceremony of the Pagoda of 10,000 Buddhas officiated by Deputy Supreme Patriarch of Thailand 恭请泰国副僧王主持万佛塔奠基大典,随后不久即动工打地基 Mass prayers for the victims of the New World Hotel Collapse Disaster 为新世界大酒店塌楼死难者超度 |
| 1987 | Venerable Seck Hong Choon was conferred the title of “Supreme Chinese Monk” by His Royal Majesty King of Thailand 宏船老和尚受泰皇钦封“华僧大尊长”最高荣衔 |
| 1990 | Venerable Seck Hong Choon passed on at the age of 84 宏船老和尚示寂于普觉禅寺，世寿八十四 |
| 1991 | Venerable Sik Yen Pei took over as third abbot 演培长老接任成为本寺第三任住持。 |
| 1994 | Venerable Sik Long Gen took over as fourth abbot 隆根长老接任第四任方丈 |
| 1995 | Venerable Sik Sui Kim took over as fifth abbot 瑞今长老接任第五任方丈 |
| 1998 | Venerable Sik Kwang Sheng, then Chief Administrator formed KMSPKS Dharma Propagation Division (DPD) 释广声大和尚成立弘法部 |
| 2003 | Completion of building - Venerable Hong Choon Memorial Hall 宏船老和尚纪念堂落成 |
| 2004 | Venerable Sik Kwang Sheng’s Investiture Abbotship, undertaking as sixth abbot 释上广下声大和尚升座大典, 接任第六任方丈 |
| 2005 | Organised Gandara Exhibition with ACM与亚洲文明博物馆举办甘达拉文物展。 |
| 2006 | KMSPKS’ Inaugural Ceremony 光明山普觉禅寺开光大典 Fund-raising Buddhist Concert Voices of Harmony at Indoor Stadium 举办本寺第一届大型佛教音乐会'千年一音' |
| 2007 | First pilgrimage trip led by monastery to India 印度朝圣 |
