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Buddhism In SingaporeAround 42.5% of the Singaporeans are classified as Buddhist by religion. Adherents of Buddhism are mostly by the Chinese majorty ethnic group, although small minorties of Sinhalese and Thai Buddhists do exist as well. The Chinese Mahayana Buddhism is the prevalent form of Buddhism in Singapore. Adherents of other forms of Buddhism such as Nichiren Buddhism and Theravada (often called Hinayana Buddhism) do exist in sizeable minorities as well. Taoist influence is prevalent as well. Even then, an estimated number of 240 Chinese Buddhist and Taoist temples can be found in Singapore. History The presence of Buddhism in Singapore is evident during the Srivijayan times. However, as Islam spreads to the local Orang Laut population in the 14th and 15th century, the influence of Buddhism and Hinduism eventually disappears from existence. It was not until the later years when the first Chinese traders settled among the local Malay population over the centuries prior to the founding of Singapore. Small Chinese Buddhist and Taoist temples and shrines may have erected at that time, but none of them was known to have ever existed, although broken pieces of Chinese pottery is found in certain parts of the island. The founding of Singapore by Sir Stamford Raffles in 1819 attracted a large influx of Chinese immigrants from China, most notably those from the Fujian and the Guangdong province. Since the Chinese are followers of Chan Buddhism in general, funds poured out from the rich Chinese businessmen such as Tan Tock Seng for large-scale construction of Buddhist-Taoist temples first came into existence. As more and more Chinese came and settle in Singapore, the adherents of Buddhism in Singapore increases, thus making Buddhism as the most populous religion in Singapore by the late 19th century. Until the 1980's, Buddhism and Confucianism was viewed as the basis of the traditional principles of the Singaporean Chinese society until it eventually gave way to modernism after the independence of Singapore. As Singapore took steps to modernization, fundamentalist Christian denominations set their views to proselytise the Chinese Singaporeans, notably the rich and educated upper class. This has also witnessed the scene that about 1/3 of the Chinese Singaporeans gave up Buddhism and adhered to Christianity or nothing at all, shaking the foundation of the traditional Buddhist Chinese society of Singapore to a considerable extent. Chinese Buddhism (Mahayana) Traditionally, the Chinese are adherents of Chan Buddhism, although both Taoist and Confucian influences can be seen. Most of them venerate Kuan Yin, in addition to the traditional Taoist gods like God of Money, God of life and God of propogation. One can see Buddhist and ancestral altars placed both inside the flat and along the corridor. A red brazier, meant for burning joss papers, may also be seen. They also hang small urns filled with sand and ash outside the house; this is where joss sticks are placed and used as offerings to the gods. Especially for the older generation, many of them will visit the Buddhist temples to pray homeage to their ancestors on an annual basis. If someone dies, a funeral will be held in the void deck of the HDB flat. There is a belief that the spirit of the deceased will receive burnt paper models of gold, houses and other symbols of wealth. A Buddhist monk or a Taoist priest may preside over the prayers in order to chase away the evil spirits that may possess the dead body. The Buddhist monks also recite mantras to the evil spirits to help them in attaining more favorable rebirths. The body will be sent to a Buddhist temple after cremation. Other In recent years, the Theravada school (sometimes called Hinayana Buddhism), Nichiren Buddhism and Tibetan Buddhism have made a sizeable number of converts. Monks from Sri Lanka, Thailand and other South-eastern countries have come to proselytise the Chinese in Singapore. Theravada Buddhist temples like the Sakya Muni Buddha Gaya Temple have sprung up in recent years. Tibetan Buddhism has also made some small groups of recent converts as well. Soka (Creation of Value) Nichiren Buddhism has also made significant inroads into the Buddhist community by Singapore Soka Association. The association, also known as SSA, is recognised popularly for their contributions to the nation's Chingay street festivals, National Day Parades and recently for it's role with Mercy Relief in the Indian Ocean tidal wave Tsunami#2004_-_Indian_Ocean_tsunami disaster relief operations. It's membership, initially consisting of Chinese origin, is now a multi-ethnic fabric comprising of Indians, Japanese, Eurasians and others. They do not worship in temples, but in their private-home shrines and community buildings, known as Soka centres. The association has constructed seven Soka centres throughout the country and a Soka Kindergarten. Temples and Places of Worship External Links Singapore
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