The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple stands on South Bridge Road in Chinatown. Completed in 2007, the red and green building follows Tang Dynasty architecture. The main draw is the fourth-floor relic chamber, where a golden stupa holds what is believed to be a tooth of the Buddha. The third floor has a Buddhist museum, and the rooftop garden holds a large prayer wheel. Entry is free, and the temple makes a calm stop between the old shophouses and the modern towers nearby.
Architecture and the building
Venerable Shi Fa Zhao conceived and designed the temple, which was completed in 2007. The design blends Northern Chinese forms with the Tang Dynasty style of Chinese Buddhist architecture. The proposal specified details down to the colour of the lacquer on the awning edges.
The red facade has green window shutters, and the main entrance has three tiers of wooden doors. The overall layout is said to draw on the Buddhist mandala, a diagram of the universe. The building has four floors, a rooftop garden and a basement restaurant that serves vegan food.
The relic and its story
The temple is built around a relic believed to be a tooth of the Buddha. Its authenticity is debated, and many visitors come for the setting and the rituals as much as for the relic itself.
The relic is kept in a golden stupa on the fourth floor. Visitors who want to follow the story of the relic can start with the displays on the third floor, which cover Buddhist history and teachings.
Floor by floor
The ground floor has the Hundred Dragons Hall, which holds 100 Buddha statues. A daily ceremony takes place here, and monks chanting can be heard during it. The Universal Wisdom Hall is another space on the lower floors.
The third floor has a museum on the life of the Buddha and on Maitreya, the future Buddha. Several galleries are part of the museum, including the Buddhas of the World Museum, the Sacred Relics Museum and the Eminent Sangha Museum.
The fourth floor holds the relic chamber. The room is richly gilded, and the stupa is the focus of the space. Photography is not permitted here.
The rooftop garden has a large prayer wheel, a pagoda and the Ten Thousand Buddhas Pavilion, which houses many Buddha figures. The rooftop is also a good place to look out over Chinatown.
Visiting with respect
Worshippers come to pray here, so keep your voice low and move quietly through the halls. Donations are welcome, and free incense sticks are offered for lighting at the shrines.
The nearest MRT exit is Maxwell, which is right next to the temple. The Sri Mariamman Temple and the Thian Hock Keng Temple are within easy reach on foot, so you can visit all three in one outing.
Perguntas frequentes
Is there an entry fee?
Entry is free. Donations are welcome and help support the museum.
How long do you need?
Plan on one to two hours to see the halls, the museum and the rooftop garden.
What should I wear?
Cover your shoulders and knees. A free sarong is provided for anyone who needs to cover their legs.
Can I take photos inside?
Photography is not allowed in the relic chamber on the fourth floor. Follow the signs in the building.
