Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum

The temple and museum always hosts different exhibits on its level 2 exhibition hall. Today, the Sand Mandala was completed & on display.

Completed Sand Mandala displayed on the 1st level main shrine which will be dismantled on the 26th March.

On its 2nd level of museum, a section of the hall has been devoted to a brief introduction on Tibetan Buddhism, Sand Mandala and the makers of the Sand Mandala from Kopan Nunnery (Nepal) while another section displayed different representations of Avalokitesvara (Guanyin) with brief explainations.




If you are tired after viewing the exhibition, you may drop-by its well-hidden tea house at the left end corner of the hall, Lotus Heart Tea House for a relaxing tea-break.

I am glad to know that with the completion of its theatre at Basement one, they had started a series of weekend Dharma Talk programmes.

For those interested in the making of the Sand Mandala, you may like to attend this coming Sunday (23 Mar)'s talk at 3-5pm.


Please always refer to their official website: http://www.btrts.org.sg/Eng_Index.html for latest activities.

Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum

The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple (Singapore) (BTRTS) was founded in 2002 by Venerable Shi Fa Zhao. With the official opening of its new building at Chinatown (located at 288 South Bridge Rd, off Sago street or opposite the famous Maxwell food centre), it has attracted both local & foreign visitors & devotees.

(Avalokitesvara Hall)

(Embroidery Lotus Painting)(Maitreya Hall)

Maitreya Buddha, also called 'The Future Buddha' is being worshipped by the temple & in here you see a different image of Maitreya Buddha which is different from traditional temples. (Above is picture taken in 2007 with comparison of latest taken at Oct 2013 below)

 

Walking up from 4th flr to the Roof, you could see paintings of 4 Buddhas of the 4 Cardinal Points at the corners. Shown below is Aksobhya Buddha of the Eastern Realm of Fragrance. It is believed that when a pregnant woman recites the name of “南無阿閦如来”, she will have a smooth and happy pregnancy

The Roof has beautiful landscape of Orchid garden & in its centre is a large, tall Ten Thousand Buddhas Pagoda housing the large Vairocana Buddha Prayer Wheel.

The Prayer wheel in motion and at its top is a bell that will ring when moved with a certain frequency.

Pictures not available but very important to visit is the 4th storey (no photo-taking) where many devotees prostrate themselves to venerate the Sacred Buddha Tooth in the serene chamber.

While music of "Buddam Saranam Gacchami" (Three Refuge) is played, you can't help but feel touched and I really don't know how to describe the feeling. The atmosphere is very serene, just like revisiting the holy places in India. (I tried playing the same Cd which can be purchased at counter outside the chamber at home but the feeling and atmosphere is different)However, pls take note that to fully view the inner chamber when curtains are not drawn down to reveal the Stupa and the blessing ceremony by the Sangha, it is advisable to visit during the following hours: 9am-12pm, 3pm-6pm.
(pardon me if time is wrong/changed).
I am not sure if it is the blessing ritual but on a few visit with my mum during the above hours, she likes the part when the Sangha will do some chanting & sprinkle "blessed" water to the devotees. She feels blessed & happy abt it.

Besides that, not to forget the museum at 2nd/3rd floor that explains history of Buddhism as well as display of Buddhist culture artifacts.

It is really a place worth visiting and I will always recommend my friends to visit it if they hadn't.

The opening hours of the temple is from 7am- 7pm everyday including public holidays. (there may be some changes if they have any special events so please always check their website to get latest info)

Their official website is: http://www.btrts.org.sg/Eng_Index.html