Singapore, a bustling metropolis on an island in Southeast Asia, is known for being a global trading hub and home to many multi-ethnic and multicultural residents. Singapore has one of the highest religious diversity in the world, it is no surprise that Buddhism plays a major role in the religious diversity of the city. In fact, Buddism is the most practiced religion in Singapore, and there are many different monasteries and temples which are devoted to the different branches of Buddhism. Read on to find 10 of the most unique and popular Buddhist temples in Singapore, definitely deserving of a visit during your trip to the city.
1. Beeh Low See Temple
Beeh Low See Temple was founded in 1935 by the monk Xue Shan. The temple was originally known as San Bao Old Folk Home, looking after many homeless old folks. Today, it is located in the west, near Bukit Timah Community Centre. Besides weekly prayers, they also conduct prayer sessions for special events and occasions, such as the New Year Prayer for Good Fortune. They also celebrate holidays such as Mid-Autumn Festival with a feast and a variety of performances open to all.
Beeh Low See Temple
Address: 71B Jln Jurong Kechil, Singapore 598588
Website: Beeh Low See Temple
Entry fee: NIL
2. Wat Ananda Metyarama Thai Buddhist Temple
Wat Ananda Metyarama Thai Buddhist Temple is the oldest traditional Theravada Buddhist monastery and temple in Singapore. Newly renovated in 2014, the sleek and modern building houses the monks’ abode, Dhamma Hall and Meditation Hall, cultural center (museum), Dining Hall and rest area (open for public). They have daily chantings, as well as weekly Sunday classes for children, yoga sessions, and even Thai language classes.
Wat Ananda Metyarama Thai Buddhist Temple
Address: 50B Jalan Bukit Merah, Singapore 169545
Website: Wat Ananda Metyarama Thai Buddhist Temple
Entry fee: NIL
3. Palelai Buddhist Temple
Palelai Buddhist Temple is hard to miss, with its red terraced roofs and an eye-catching golden torrent on the top of the front building. A popular temple for many locals, Palelai offers daily evening meditation, as well as daily morning and evening chantings. They also celebrate special events such as Lunar New Year, Vesak Day and Songkran (the traditional Thai New Year). They also have regular community service initiations, as started by their founder in the early days, where all are welcome to volunteer or donate.
Palelai Buddhist Temple
Address: 49 Bedok Walk, Singapore 469145
Website: Palelai Buddhist Temple
Entry fee: NIL
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4. Jin Long Si Temple
Jin Long Si Temple is a popular temple, with over 300 registered members and 4000 regular visitors. The current temple has a zinc-roof and wooden structure, with a huge statue of the Laughing Buddha, a pagoda and also a pavilion with the life-size figure of the patron deity, Nan Wu Wu Ji Sheng Mu. The temple is most well-known for housing the most ancient and largest Bodhi tree in Singapore, which was grown from one of the 12 seeds that were brought by monks from Sri Lanka in the 19th century.
Jin Long Si Temple
Address: 32 Tai Seng Ave Singapore 534084 Tai Seng Ave, Singapore 534084
Website: Jin Long Si Temple
Entry fee: NIL
5. Sakya Muni Buddha Gaya Temple
Sakya Muni Buddha Gaya Temple is one of the most prominent and widely visited Buddhist temples on the island-city and it is often coined the Temple of 1000 lights. Located at Race Course Road, the decor and architecture of the temple are largely Thai-influenced. What appeals to many locals and tourists alike is the beautiful statues and figurines at the temple, most iconically the 15-meter (49-foot) high statue of the seated Buddha which greets you as you enter the temple. There are many other smaller figurines and murals that you must see with your own two eyes.
Sakya Muni Buddha Gaya Temple
Address: 366 Race Course Rd, Singapore 218638
Website: Sakya Muni Buddha Gaya Temple
Entry fee: NIL
6. Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple
Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple is a traditional Chinese Buddhist temple and holds great significance to many Chinese in Singapore by bringing their good luck after praying at the temple. The temple holds a lot of history, having been at its current location in Waterloo Street since 1884. It is also in the vicinity of other places of worship of different religions in Singapore. The gateways, painted in striking colors of red, green and yellow, and the adornment of the yellow Buddhist swastikas are iconic and a beautiful testament to the temple.
Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple
Address: 178 Waterloo St, Singapore 187964
Website: Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple
Entry fee: NIL
7. Sri Lankaramaya Buddhist Temple
Sri Lankaramaya Buddhist Temple is located at St. Michael’s Road and is the primary Sri Lankan Buddhist temple in Singapore. There are a few Sri Lankan styled Buddha statues which decorate the grounds of the temple, as well as Sinhalese inspired door engravings which point towards the Sri Lankan history of the temple. A Bodhi tree can be seen in the compound, with four Buddha images placed in each direction for the altar. There are daily prayers as well as weekly Sunday classes.
Sri Lankaramaya Buddhist Temple
Address: 30C St Michael’s Rd, Singapore 328002
Website: Sri Lankaramaya Buddhist Temple
Entry fee: NIL
8. Burmese Buddhist Temple
Burmese Buddhist Temple is the only Burmese Buddhist institution in Singapore. It is the first and only Burmese Buddhist temple built outside of Myanmar in the traditional style. The magnificent marble Buddha, built from pure white marble, is sure to catch your attention as you enter, it is the biggest enshrine outside of Myanmar. There’s no wonder as to why this beautiful temple is a national heritage of Singapore. The temple holds regular Dhamma classes and celebrates yearly events.
Burmese Buddhist Temple
Address: 14 Tai Gin Rd, Singapore 327873
Website: Burmese Buddhist Temple
Entry fee: NIL
9. Hai Inn Temple
Hai Inn Temple, founded in 1928, is one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Singapore. It hosts regular activities, such as the celebration of special occasions like Lunar New Year, as well as monthly chanting sessions. They also offer Dharma classes for adults and children alike. The temple also holds one of the biggest bells in Singapore, the Brahma bell, which is a whopping 2.75m (9 feet) high, 1.7m (5.5 feet) wide, and weighs 7400 kg (16314 lbs).
Hai Inn Temple
Address: 33 Brickland Rd, Singapore 688254
Website: Hai Inn Temple
Entry fee: NIL
10. Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum
Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum, located in Chinatown, is one of the largest and most famous Buddhist temples in Singapore, and rightfully so, with its breathtaking Tang dynasty architectural style which cost a whopping SGD 62 million (USD 46 million). The tooth relic of the historical Buddha, of which the temple and museum are named after, can be seen in the temple itself. The temple holds regular activities, such as the daily evening Closing Ceremony Drum, Bell, and Board ritual, as well as regular community service.
Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum
Address: 288 South Bridge Rd, Singapore 058840
Website: Buddha Tooth Relic Temple
Entry fee: NIL
Visit one of these temples today
Considering the vibrant religious diversity in Singapore, its no wonder that each and every one of these Buddhist temples is uniquely different and each holds some importance in the history of Singapore. Make sure to visit one of them during your trip to Singapore, it can’t be missed.