Singapore’s Buddha Tooth Relic Temple & Museum

Since the late 1980s, I’ve visited Singapore numerous times and, on many occasions, made a beeline for Chinatown – one of Asia’s most dynamic Chinese communities, a sprawling conservation precinct with an intoxicating tapestry of centuries-old heritage and hip modern additions. As a self-confessed temple addict, over the decades, I would assume I had ticked-off my Chinatown temple list, along with all its other well-known multi-faith religious sites. But after a long period of absence from Singapore’s best-known ethnic neigbourhood, once again wandering along Chinatown’s evocative streets, I was amazed to stumble upon the magnificent Buddha Tooth Relic Temple & Museum (新加坡佛牙寺龍華院).








Aerial view, in the heart of Singapore's Chinatown; copyright Buddha Tooth Relic Temple


Close-up aerial view; copyright Buddha Tooth Relic Temple


How on earth could I have missed this imposing five-storey Chinese Buddhist temple, which incorporates the finest cultural, architectural and artistic aspects of the Tang Dynasty and comes bedecked with vibrantly coloured and ornate exteriors? Buddha Tooth Relic Temple & Museum (henceforth known as ‘BTRTM’) is also located on Chinatown’s main drag, South Bridge Road (at #288), near to the celebrated Sri Mariamman Temple.


Temple front facade, street view; copyright Buddha Tooth Relic Temple

The reason the BTRTM had perhaps slipped under my culture radar rests in the year it was inaugurated – 2007. But although this temple-museum is a relative newcomer compared to its ancient neighbours, it is no less important; in fact, the BTRTM is a hugely significant addition to Chinatown, ranking as one of Singapore’s ‘must-see’ cultural sites. Within spectacular interiors, the temple-museum is chiefly renowned for its impressive collection of priceless Buddhist artifacts and relics: the most spectacular of these, the left canine tooth of Buddha himself – hence the temple’s name – originally recovered from Buddha’s funeral pyre in Kushinagar, India and donated from its final resting place in Sri Lanka.

At this highly-revered repository, Buddhist devotees from across the planet pay reverence to this sacred Buddha Tooth Relic, along with around 300 or so rare and priceless Buddha relics originating from across Asia housed within the on-site Culture Museum – including Buddha’s bone fragment and tongue. The BTRTM was additionally founded to promote a deeper understanding of Buddhist Culture, continue on the legacies of Buddha and promote His teachings – there are even interactive introductory Buddhism workshops led by resident Venerables. The core architectural design follows Buddhist Mandala principles, a symbol of Buddhist culture representing the universe and integrates Tang Dynasty’s Buddhism art culture.



Exterior Chinese Lunar New Year decorations  


The main entrance, Mountain Gate, consists of three thick red lacquered doors flanked by four, symbolic Nagapuspa trees, a gift from Gangaramaya Temple, Sri Lanka. 

 
A temple entrance to stop you in your tracks - and make you start praying, fast; copyright Buddha Tooth Relic Temple

Enter into the high-ceilinged and dazzling Hundred Dragons Hall, home to the striking Maitreya Buddha statue (‘The Compassionate One’) sitting in a typical Tang Bhadrasana posture, carved from a single log and hand-painted with a blend of ground natural stones and vegetable dyes.



As part of the venerated Maitreya Trinity, Buddha Maitreya comes flanked by Bodhisattva Dharma ‘Garden Grove’ and Bodhisattva ‘Great Wondrous Appearance.'





The Hall’s side walls are lined with One Hundred Buddha statues, each displaying different mudras (hand signs), surrounded by exquisite Maitreya Gaus in their respective alcoves.

The Hundred Dragons Hall; close-up of gilt Maitreya Buddha Gaus surrounding the One Hundred Buddhas. Copyright Buddha Tooth Relic Temple





On the first day of the Chinese Lunar New Year, as revealed in my post, "Sheer Lunar-cy: Vietnamese Lunar New Year .....in Singapore," which, of course, you’ve already read (here)...... 

Chinese Lunar New Year prayer lanterns 

..... I paid my respects to each one of these One Hundred Buddha statues, dropping a 10 cent coin into the small glass bowl placed below, as per custom for New Year luck and blessings. 

Anyway, I digress. Glance upwards and you will glimpse One Hundred Dragons, densely packed dragon carvings that form an enchanting ring around the upper walls and a formidable contrast to the serene Buddhas. The Hundred Dragons Hall itself is filled daily with black-robed devotees chanting one of the many sutras, also used in frequent Buddhist ceremonies held here, as well as aromatic offerings of fresh orchids, perfumed candles and agarwood incense.

Strolling through to the Universal Wisdom Hall at the rear, you’ll encounter the hand-carved, Bodhisattva Cintamanicakra Avalokitesvara sitting atop an elaborate lotus, flanked by phoenixes and backed with three, intricately embroidered wall panels dominated by exquisite lotus flowers. The side walls showcase Zodiac Protectors, surrounded by smaller-sized, gilt Bodhisattva Cintamanicakra Avalokitesvara statuettes.
Universal Wisdom Hall, Bodhisattva Cintamanicakra Avalokitesvara statuettes. Copyright Buddha Tooth Relic Temple






The star of the show, however, the Sacred Buddha Tooth Relic, is saved for last, in the Sacred Light Hall up on the fourth floor. Within a gated inner relic chamber, this priceless molar is suitably contained in a solid gold, 2m-high stupa weighing 3.5 tonnes, which comprises of a main stainless-steel structure, bronze skeleton and pure gold skin studded with emeralds, rubies and 35 ‘Confession’ Buddhas. This is topped with seven-tiered parasol dome symbolising royalty and the cosmic connection between heaven and earth. As monks are the only folk permitted in this inner chamber, us mere mortals can only observe from a public viewing area.

[Whoops! No photos! Sorry, must be down to the jaw-dropping moment or prohibited from taking any...this Jaded Empress has forgotten.]

From here, climb upstairs to the breezy rooftop, where the striking Ten Thousand Buddhas Pagoda houses 11,111 enshrined Buddhas and Bodhisattvas.

The Ten Thousand Buddhas Pagoda on the Rooftop; copyright Buddha Tooth Relic Temple

What catches my attention, however, is the monster-sized Vairocana Buddha Prayer Wheel, specially designed using a cloisonné enamel technique for a colourful, intricate and glossy surface that displays three-tiers of Vairocana Mantras. Allegedly, inside the prayer wheel are 3,000-plus copies of the Vairocana Dharani, each roll meticulously hand-calligraphed.

Stunning Vairocana Buddha Prayer Wheel, housed inside the rooftop Ten Thousand Buddhas Pagoda  

This scenic rooftop also reveals other pavilions with their respective ‘Buddhas of the Cardinal Points’ and an open-air garden abundant with orchids – a tranquil meditation zone above Chinatown’s hubbub.

Phew! As there’s such an overwhelming amount of Buddhist cultural and historical facts to take- in and the BTRTM is a vast treasure-trove of zillions of Buddhas, Bodhisattvas and more, I highly recommend booking one of the temple’s excellent guided tours - check for details on the temple's website  here 

Follow one of the insightful and extremely well-informed guides for a two-hour group tour around the entire temple-museum – they are happy to answer the many questions that come their way. The guides are volunteers offering a free service, so donations are greatly appreciated!

(Buddha Tooth Relic Temple & Museum, 288 South Bridge Road, Chinatown, Singapore 058840)

Disclaimer: this Jade(d) Empress has the best intentions to impart correct information from her research based on various sources. So her apologies if there is anything incorrect or offensive written here, perhaps write a note to let her know if this case. Thank you. 

Want to read more on Singapore? Then take a peek at my chronicle featuring the fabulous street art in Little India, here and my wonderful Lunar New Year festivities, 2020,  here !