In the very heart of the vibrant and colorful Singaporean Chinatown, among narrow streets and traditional facades, lies a place of spiritual power and architectural splendor — the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum. This is not just a temple, but a grand cultural complex, museum, and center of Buddhist teaching, attracting pilgrims and tourists from all over the world.
History of the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple`s Creation
Unlike many ancient shrines, this temple was built in the 21st century. Its construction was initiated by the abbot Venerable Shi Fa Zhao in 2002, and its grand opening took place in 2007. The reason for its erection was an event of immense importance for the Buddhist world — the acquisition of a relic that followers of the Buddha believe is his tooth.
The idea was to create not just a place to store the relic, but an entire architectural ensemble that would reflect the richness of the Buddhist culture of the Mahayana school, and also serve as an educational and charitable center. Funding was carried out through private donations, underscoring the deep public support for this project.
Architecture and Exterior
The temple is executed in the style of the Tang Dynasty (618–907 AD), which is considered the golden age of Chinese culture and Buddhism. This is a monumental four-story building dominating the panorama of Chinatown. Its facade is painted in a rich red color, symbolizing luck and joy, with abundant gilded elements, carved wooden details, and curved roofs characteristic of traditional Chinese architecture.
The interior is even more striking. The central element is a spacious atrium that goes up the entire height of the building. In its center on the first floor is the Sacred Hundred Dragons Hall — the main prayer hall, where a majestic statue of Maitreya Buddha (the Buddha of the Future) is installed. The walls of the hall are adorned with paintings depicting scenes from the life of Buddha Shakyamuni.
Relics and Treasures of the Temple
Undoubtedly, the main treasure of the temple is the Buddha`s Tooth itself. It is stored on the fourth, most sacred floor, in a specially built stupa made of 420 kilograms of pure gold. The room is made of precious types of wood, and the stupa is surrounded by countless figurines of Buddhas. Access to this sanctuary is open to all, but a special atmosphere of reverence prevails here. Photography is prohibited to preserve the sanctity of the moment.
Museum of Buddhism
Located on the third floor, the museum offers a unique journey into the history of Buddhism. It houses:
• The Reliquary of the Sacred Buddha Tooth: An artfully crafted casket in which the relic was stored before being placed in the golden stupa.
• Relics of other revered Buddhist saints.
• An extensive collection of Buddhist art: ancient scrolls, ritual objects, sculptures, and paintings illustrating the spread of Buddhism from India throughout Asia.
Buddhadasa Indapanno Archives Library
On the second floor is one of the most complete Buddhist libraries in Southeast Asia, named after the Thai reformist monk. It houses thousands of sacred texts and books on Buddhist philosophy in different languages.
Roof and Sajjna Sad
Ascending to the roof, visitors find themselves in a wonderful garden where the world`s largest pagoda made of jianmu (nanmu) wood — the Ten Thousand Buddhas Pagoda — is located. A giant bronze Prayer Wheel is also located here. It is believed that one rotation of it is equivalent to reading all the mantras placed inside. This is a place of tranquility and offers a beautiful view of Chinatown.
Legends and Spiritual Significance
The history associated with the Tooth Relic is shrouded in legends. According to Buddhist traditions, when Buddha Shakyamuni attained Parinirvana (the final departure from the world) in Kushinagar, his body was cremated. Among the ashes, his disciples found several unburned fragments — a tooth, a collarbone, and several bones. These relics were divided and spread throughout the world, becoming objects of worship.
It is believed that the Buddha`s Tooth was secretly transported to various countries to save it from destruction during times of war and persecution. It was stored for a long time in Myanmar, and then was handed over to the current abbot of the temple to create a new spiritual center in Singapore.
For believers, the presence of such a relic is not just a historical fact. It is believed that the relic itself possesses great spiritual power (adhiṣṭhāna) and is a living testament to the Buddha`s enlightenment. Its presence blesses the entire area where it is located and gives believers the opportunity to connect with the energy of the Buddha`s compassion and wisdom. Many pilgrims come here to pray, ask for blessings, or simply sit in silence in the presence of the shrine, feeling a deep peace and tranquility.
