MangoVine - Singapore Chinatown Part 4 - Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum

10 September, 2009
Thursday

Our final stop in Chinatown was the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum. As it was towards the end of the day, the museum on the third floor was closed, but we still managed to wander through the rest of the temple, including the rooftop garden.

Chinatown-Temple

The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum was founded in 2002 by Venerable Shi Fazhao. It's dedicated to the Maitreya Buddha, which means 'The Compassionate One', and also called 'The Future Buddha'. It's an impressive example of Chinese architecture combining a timber framework and multi-leveled roof arches with intricate and decorative interiors.

Chinatown-Temple-Many-Rooves

When we first entered, Linh was given a shawl to wrap around her exposed shoulders.

Chinatown-Temple-Linh

It seemed we had entered at the back of the temple, but which still had this impressive sight to look upon. We were in the Universal Wisdom Hall and the figure was the beautifully handcrafted Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara sitting upon an elaborate lotus throne.

Chinatown-Temple-Statue-Distant

The walls around us were covered with Zodiac Protectors and smaller statues of Cintamanicakra Avalokitesvara. Some of the green "plugs" were empty and it appeared that visitors/worshippers could donate some money to get a statue added - for protection - according to the little sign below.

Chinatown-Temple-Wall

The statues grouped donators according to their zodiac animal year.

Chinatown-Temple-Protector

We walked around to the front entrance of the temple and came across the far larger Hundred Dragons Hall, designed according to Buddhist temple of the Tang Dynasty, and which has a hundred Buddhas enshrined on both sides of the hall..

Chinatown-Temple-Hall

Along with a massive bowl of donated packs of rice and other dried foods...

Chinatown-Temple-Offerings

Taking a lift and stairs to the top, we saw the following rooftop pagoda housing a prayer wheel.

Chinatown-Temple-Roof

We didn't have any time to see any more of the temple but more information can be found on the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum website.

Chinatown-Temple-Rooves

This entry posted in : Attractions. Culture. Singapore.

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Singapore Chinatown Part 4 - Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum

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