From Wall Street to the World of Incense: One Man’s Journey to Discover His True Passion
In our series “Singaporeans Abroad,” we highlight locals who have achieved success across the globe, whether in business, love, or simply the joy of exploration. Recently, we shared Kenneth’s story as the head chef at the world’s top restaurant and Vino’s experiences during the protests in Sri Lanka. Now, we introduce Master Lim Say Fon, a former stockbroker who left his career after a decade to explore Japan, China, and India in pursuit of mastering the ancient art of incense.
“Before I became a Kodo master, I worked as a stockbroker due to my interest in investments and trading. After ten years in the profession, I reached a turning point in 2010 at age 38; I realized my job felt meaningless. The volatile stocks I traded daily contributed nothing to humanity, only elevating my stress levels.”
Frida reflects on how she wanted more than just trading, yearning for a greater purpose and responsibility toward humanity. Aromatherapy became her refuge. Lighting her favorite agarwood incense transformed her environment, filling it with a calming scent that brought tranquility to her mind, body, and soul.
Discovering Kodo: The Ancient Art of Incense
Frida first encountered Kodo—the Japanese Buddhist art of incense—at 25. This practice, which translates to “the way of fragrance,” involves appreciating scents within a structured code of conduct.
“It was love at first sniff,” she recalls. Intrigued by Japanese culture and the soothing effects of scents, Frida faced a growing disillusionment with her stockbroker career and made incense her new purpose. This required her to become a full-time student in the field of incense and aromatherapy.
When she shared her plans to leave her job with family, they struggled to understand. Most were unfamiliar with Kodo, leading them to view her decision as unusual. Undeterred, Frida quit her job, packed her belongings, and set off for China to learn more about Kodo. “If I don’t do this now, I never will,” she resolved.
Leaving Familiar Grounds
Choosing China as her first destination was a natural step due to its rich history in Buddhist incense. However, the Cultural Revolution had obliterated much of that ancient knowledge.
Next, she traveled to Japan and approached Kodo Master Hidetsugu Tanaka-sensei, who initially hesitated to share Kodo’s secrets with her as an outsider. After persistent efforts and a friend’s help, he eventually agreed to teach her the basics, albeit without revealing all the intricacies.
As a trainee, Frida often stood for over eight hours mixing herbs and scents—an exhausting trial meant to test her dedication. One day, Master Tanaka felt she was ready to learn a secret formulation. As he wrote it down, she felt a pang of sadness knowing that some would doubt her legitimacy as a student.
“Master, could you write me a certificate to prove that I’ve learned this from you?” she asked, fully aware of how this might sound. To her surprise, he complied, giving her a certificate affirming her place in his 8th-generation lineage of Kodo.
After her training, Frida followed Master Tanaka’s recommendation to further her studies at Koyasan in Osaka, delving deeper into Shingon Buddhism. Her life as a student included daily chores—cleaning and maintaining the environment—as a means to prove her sincerity to the masters.
Returning Home with New Insights
Following her time in Osaka, Frida set off for her next adventure in India, where she immersed herself in Ayurveda, yoga, and the study of chakras. She discovered how various herbs are linked to specific chakras and celestial bodies. For instance, creating perfume for the crown chakra required herbs associated with both Venus and that energy center.
With her newfound knowledge, Frida embarked on her next chapter as a Kodo master, teaching classes in cities across China. Using what she had learned throughout her travels, she developed her own natural formulas, steering away from synthetic ingredients that dominate the perfume industry today.
Upon returning to Singapore, she established her gallery, Shambhala Kodo, a wellness center focused on aromatic incense therapy, aura scanning, and chakra therapy. Frida sought to educate Singaporeans on Kodo, addressing the gap in knowledge about this ancient practice.
“I want to share the wisdom I gathered from my studies,” she states. “I love teaching and regularly meet students eager to learn how aromatherapy can enhance their lives. Most of my students are between 35 and 50 years old, but I also welcome younger learners seeking to improve their focus through incense.”
Bridging Tradition and Modernity
Frida’s favorite incense, Kinko, is said to possess healing properties for common ailments, yet some remain skeptical of its effects. “Ancient wisdom can often be misinterpreted as mere superstition,” she acknowledges.
To bridge the gap between tradition and contemporary understanding, Frida believes it’s essential to frame ancient concepts in modern language. What was once viewed as spiritual can now be described in terms of energy and vibrations.
“My journey into the mystical arts of Kodo began without direction, but it has now given me purpose. I aim to spread positivity and joy to others,” Frida expresses. A portion of the profits from Shambhala Kodo and her NFT project, ManalaFON, is dedicated to helping children with cancer in Singapore, as well as supporting education and housing initiatives for children in Nepal and India.
To those who feel disillusioned and overwhelmed by their work, Frida offers this advice: “Know your passion, find your path. Be courageous and confident. Move forward to achieve your goals, and never give up. All things are possible.”
Names have been changed to protect identities.
