Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum
Out of the many things to do in Chinatown, a visit to the majestic Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum should definitely be on your list. With its traditional Chinese architecture from eras past, it’s a stark contrast to the HDBs and shophouses around.
As its name suggests, the temple houses what is said to be the left canine tooth of Buddha, alongside other revered artefacts in a series of exhibits that’ll immerse you in Buddhist culture. Here’s what you can expect:
Is the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum free to enter?
There’s no admission fee, as the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum is free to enter.
How to get to the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum?
The easiest way to get to Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum would be to take the MRT, travelling on the Thomson-East Coast Line to Maxwell station. Leave through Exit 2 and you’ll find the temple right across the road. You could also take the Downtown Line to Telok Ayer Station or the North-East Line to Chinatown station.
If you’re planning to take the bus to the, you can hop onto buses 2, 12, 33, 54, 61, 63, 81, 124, 143, 147, 166, and 197. Get off at ‘Opp Sri Mariamman TP’ near South Bridge Road and it should take you about 2 minutes of walking to get to the Buddhist temple in Chinatown. Alternatively, you can also take buses 143,145,147,166, and 80 to ‘Maxwell Rd FC’, and take a 3-minute walk to the temple.
Does the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum have a dress code?
Before visiting the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum, ensure that you’re dressed appropriately and be respectful, as it is a place of worship. Avoid wearing anything too revealing such as short skirts or low-cut/open-back tops, otherwise you may be asked to leave the temple.
Inspired by Tang Dynasty architecture
Image credit: @donnnut via Instagram
Though built only in 2007, this buddhist temple in Chinatown looks like something straight out of an ancient dynasty. Designed by Venerable Shi Fa Zhao, the temple cost a whopping $75 million and is meant to be traditional yet modern enough for both locals and tourists to visit.
The result is beautiful architecture inspired by the Tang Dynasty, such as curved roofs and rounded tiles, with modern touches such as lifts built into the multi-level building.
The design of the temple is also based on the Buddhist Mandala – a geometric pattern that symbolises one’s spiritual journey and the universe.
Image credit: @neelorvan89 via Instagram
Explore the temple’s museums & other facilities
Image credit: Visit Singapore
Inside, you’ll be mesmerised by a 15ft golden statue of Buddha, along with a wide array of exhibits including a 10,000 Buddha Pavilion. Throughout the multiple levels of the temple, you can take your time to appreciate the various relics on display, head to the Aranya Reference Library for some light reading, or take a breather at the zen rooftop garden.
Rooftop garden.
Image credit: Andrea Schaffer via Flickr
The highlight of the temple would be none other than the Buddha tooth relic, which was supposedly recovered from Buddha’s funeral pyre in Kushinagar, India in 543 BC. Though visitors are restricted from entering the relic chamber, you can still view the giant stupa that the relic is housed in.
Fun fact: The golden stupa is made from 320kg of gold, 234kg of which was donated by devotees.
Image adapted from: Beng Tang & Tham Weng Cheong via Google Maps
If you’re craving a bite afterwards, head to Lian Xin Food Court – a hidden food court at the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum’s basement level. You’ll find various stalls selling budget-friendly vegetarian food of different cuisines; from mixed rice, wanton noodles, and laksa to Western food and comforting desserts like red bean soup and longan with white fungus soup.
Is photography allowed in the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum?
You can take photos everywhere in the temple except on the 4th floor, where the relic shrine is located. As this is a place of worship, do be respectful of the space and mindful of the visitors around you. This includes unofficial rules that are more to do with social etiquette, such as not using flash photography, and refraining from snapping lots of selfies and OOTDs while guests are trying to pray.
Is the temple wheelchair-accessible?
The Buddha Tooth Relic and Museum is said to be one of the few Buddhist temples that’s barrier-free and wheelchair-accessible. There’s also a lift that you can take to navigate through the different floors without having to use the stairs.
However, if you want to visit the rooftop garden on level 5, you can request assistance from the temple staff and take the automated chair up to level 5, as the lift only stops at level 4.
Visit the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple
Image credit: Wikipedia
As one of the highlights of Chinatown and a place so steeped in culture, the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple is one of the must-visit attractions in Singapore. So whether you’re a Buddhist or not, stop by to learn something new and bring home some great insights.
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For other guides on cultural spots in Singapore:
- Sultan Mosque at Kampong Glam
- Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple
- Hindu temples in Singapore
- Churches in Singapore
Cover image adapted from: Chinatown.sg, Wikipedia
Last updated by Mae-Z Fam & Renae Cheng on 25th September 2024.