Shrine’s History
Ven. Shi Fa Zhao, the current president and abbot of Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum, was approached by the STB to redevelop the temple. Besides stipulating the building design to be ‘traditional’, it is also requested that the temple contains facilities and hold events for both locals and tourists.
The temple had gone through a total of nine proposals before its design was finalised. The abbot rejected a design that was too ‘contemporary’, therefore, deemed out of place in the Chinatown landscape. He also rejected a design with Southern Chinese typology, which is the style adopted by temples with a long history in Chinatown. As such, a temple with Southern China architecture would have been an authentic reflection of the history of Singapore. The design of the temple has a Northern Chinese style with arts from the Tang Dynasty.
Shi Fa Zhao is also the founder of the Metta Welfare Association, a non-profit voluntary welfare organisation (VWO) that provides special education, welfare services, community and medical care to the intellectually disabled, elderly and terminally ill in society.
Legends Associated with This Shrine
The tooth relic is housed in the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum in the Chinatown district of Singapore. It is claimed the relic was found in a collapsed stupa in Myanmar.
Architectural Relevance of This Shrine
This Tang-styled Chinese Buddhist temple was conceptualized and designed by the temple’s Chief Abbot Venerable Shi Fa Zhao, with the help of local and overseas consultants. It costs S$75 million to set up and is based on various elements of Tang Dynasty architecture. The building’s design was inspired by the Buddhist Mandala, a symbol of Buddhist culture that represents the universe.
Shrine’s Map Location and How to Go There
BY AIR
The nearest airport is Singapore Changi airport.
Shrine Timings
This shrine is open every day from 9:00AM to 5:00PM.
