Sakya Muni Buddha Gaya Temple, Singapore

Sakya Muni Buddha Gaya Temple, Singapore (26 July 2017)


Sakya Muni Buddha Gaya Temple (GPS: 1.31473, 103.85695) is a major Buddhist temples in the northern part of Little India in Singapore. It was founded in 1927 by a Thai monk by the name of Vutthisasara. Often called the Temple of 1,000 Lights, it is located at Race Course Road in Little India, just across the road from Leong San See Temple.

The Sakya Muni Buddha Gaya Temple started off as just a simple structure. The choice of location was determined by the sizable Chinese and Indian communities living in the area. The temple proved to be a safe haven during the Second World War. People took refuge there as religious buildings were rarely bombed. The temple also acted an a conduit for British prisoners-of-war to pass messages and letters that are secreted out of Singapore.

The present building was built through funds from the philanthropist brothers, Aw Boon Haw and Aw Boon Par. The main feature of Sakya Muni Buddha Gaya Temple is the 15-meter high statue of a seated Buddha, which weighs nearly 300 tons. There are also many smaller Buddha images and murals depicting the life of Shakyamuni Buddha. Among the items at the temple is the sacred stylized footprint of the Buddha in ebony and mother-of-pearl, brought back from Adam's Peak in Sri Lanka by the Venerable Vutthisasara. The large central Buddha statue is surrounded by a stylized aura made of numerous light bulbs which are turned on in the evenings. The many lights from these bulbs gave the temple its nickname. Behind the main hall is the statue of the Dying Buddha as he reclined under the Yellow Seraka tree. Photography of this Buddha image is prohibited.

There is a small room beneath the altar with the image of a reclining Buddha. It is the statue of the dying Buddha under a Yellow Seraka Tree. On the left side of the main hall is a replica of the footprint made by the Buddha in Sri Lanka. Next to it is a wheel of fortune. Visitors are allowed to spin it for S$0.50.

The Sakya Muni Buddha Gaya Temple is busiest during Vesak Day, the annual holiday celebrating the birth and enlightenment of the Buddha. During that feast day, devotees donate money to the temple and are allowed to place gold leaf onto a small statue of the Buddha. Eventually the statue is almost entirely covered in a fresh layer of gold leaf.

Sakya Muni Buddha Gaya Temple is open between 8.00 am and 4.45 pm daily and admission is free.

Contact

Sakya Muni Buddha Gaya Temple
366 Race Course Road,
Singapore 218636
Tel: (65) 6294 0714

Getting there

To come here direct, the nearest MRT station is the Farrer Park MRT Station (NE8).

Sakya Muni Buddha Gaya Temple is on the Map of Buddhist Temples in Singapore

Sakya Muni Buddha Gaya Temple is on the Map of Chinese Temples in Singapore

Sakya Muni Buddha Gaya Temple, Singapore (26 July 2017)


Sakya Muni Buddha Gaya Temple (10 July 2006)


Sakya Muni Buddha Gaya Temple (10 July 2006)


Sakya Muni Buddha Gaya Temple (10 July 2006)


Close up of the seated Buddha (10 July 2006)

360° View of Sakya Muni Buddha Gaya Temple on Google Maps Street View

List of the Buddhist Temples in Singapore; Discover Singapore

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