Singapore is multi-ethnic and multi-cultural and therefore there are also multiple religions present in Singapore. From many forms of Christian faiths to Hindu Temples there are many temples, mosques and churches for all faiths, both ‘mainstream’ and less well known. There are services in many languages too so there is no reason your spiritual self should be neglected.
Buddhist & Taoist Temples
Buddhism is the dominant religion of Singapore. There are many Buddhist temples across the island state. You can see a Buddhist temple in every other street or sub-urban residential area. However, Singapore has few Buddhist temples which interests tourists.
The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple located in the heart of Chinatown is home to the Sacred Buddha Tooth Relic in a magnificent Relic Stupa composed of 420kg of gold donated by devotees. The Temple is dedicated to Maitreya Buddha. Visitors can see the beautifully carved wooden Maitreya Buddha image placed in the breathtaking 27 feet high main hall of the temple. The temple also houses Buddhist Culture Museum, Tripitaka Chamber, Eminent Sangha Museum and Exhibition Hall where exhibitions relating to religious arts and culture of Singapore will be held regularly.
The Sakya Muni Buddha Gaya Temple is one of the most prominent and widely visited Buddhist temples in Singapore, often referred to as the Temple of 1,000 Lights. It features a 15-meter high statue of a seated Buddha, which weighs nearly 300 tons, as well as many smaller Buddha images and murals depicting the life of Shakyamuni Buddha. The large central statue is surrounded by a stylized aura made of numerous light bulbs--often lit during evening hours--from which the temple derives its nickname. In a small room beneath the altar is an image of a reclining Buddha, Buddha towards the end of his life, under a Yellow Seraka Tree. The temple is located in Race Coarse Road near Little India.
Singapore has over 70% of Chinese ethnic people. There are many Chinese Taoist temples dedicated to Taoism which has the second highest following in Singapore. The Thian Hock Keng Temple, built in 1821 by seamen in a thankful gesture towards safe passage. The materials used to construct the temple were imported from all over the world, with ironwork from Scotland, towering granite pillars carved with dragons from China and tiles from England and the Netherlands. The temple is located in Telok Ayer Street. Traditional festivals such as the Chinese New Year, Zhong Yuan Jie, Mid Autumn as well as cultural performances are organized at the Thian Hock Keng temple attracting locals as well as tourists. These activities are opened to the public and audiences of any background are welcomed.