Buildings and things around Chinatown - Part 1

This is the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple.

Founded in 2002 by Venerable Shi Fazhao, the four storey temple/museum is dedicated to the Maitreya Buddha. Translated to English, it means The Compassionate One. Standing outside, admiring the architecture, the temple stands out from the other buildings in the vicinity, a definite treat for the eyes. Take a walk in and it will feel as though you are transported away from the hustle and bustle of Chinatown and into the Tang Dynasty era itself. It is indeed a breathtaking view all around and a unique experience to behold.

It is important to note here that the museum is after all located within the premises of a temple so if you are interested to visit the museum and the temple, appropriate attire is a definite must as a show of respect.

On the mezzanine floor of the building is the Eminent Sangha Museum. Featuring the images and life stories of the prominent monks in Singapore and all around the world, it sets the tone for the museum proper on the third floor. The monks tell a story of limitless devotion, promoting charity and providing food and shelter for the needy, their dedication worthy of awe and inspiration.

The third floor brings visitors into the museum proper, The Buddhist Culture Museum. With over 300 artifacts of Buddhist culture on display, it offers informative insights to the life of a Buddhist and the culture and arts that go with it. The artifacts were well-placed with huge murals explaining the history and meaning behind it. For the uninitiated, it offers a better understanding of Buddhism. With the Vision of the building to be the leading and best Buddhist cultural complex in the region, it definitely comes close to it with its inventory of artifacts coming from India, China, Tibet, Sri Lanka and many other countries. The Buddhist Culture Museum is a must visit for visitors going to Chinatown.

The Relic Chamber showcases several relics of Buddha, including the bone relic and blood relic of the Buddha. It showcases the symbolism of the energy left behind after the death of a venerable. It is said that seeing the relics is as good as seeing the Buddha in person and The Relic Chamber, with its wide open space and several huge stone casts will definitely leave a sensation of peace upon entering and leaving the chamber.

Due to the short of time, we were only able to look around and take pictures on the first floor. Below are some pictures we took inside the temple.