Buddhism in Singapore - Buddhism in Modern Singapore

Buddhism in Modern Singapore

In recent years, due to the increasing publication of Buddhist books, the appearance of internet sites in English, the availability of modern Buddhist music as well as courses conducted in English, more and more English-speaking Chinese, especially younger Singaporeans, are joining Buddhist circles. A forerunner of these developments, in the early 20th century, was the largely Chinese-supported but English-language Buddhist mission and school run by the Irish Buddhist U Dhammaloka. As a nation of immigrants, majority from mainland China, Buddhism in Singapore inevitably took the form of Chinese Mahayana perspective. Therefore practitioners of Chinese Mahayana remain the majority of the Buddhist populations in Singapore. However, the rise of Thai Buddhism in Asia, which denomination rests on the oldest school of thought of Theravada, there is a strong proliferating trend of averting to this intrinsic form of Buddhism. The Japanese Buddhist organisation, the Soka Gakkai International, has many members in Singapore. It is registered as the Singapore Soka Association. It has taken part in National Day Parade, Chingay Parade, inter-religion dialogue, cultural, art and educational seminars, and humanitarian relief, such as during and after the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami. Singaporean members of the Soka Gakkai are mostly Chinese. Another sect of Buddhism that is seen making slow inroad into Singapore is the Tibetan school, which seems to benefit from the writings of Western monks and writers, such as the Dalai Lama, Thubten Chodron, and Tenzin Palmo. The Zen school has also gained its prominence and footholds in Singapore, partly due to the tradition of Chinese Mahayana in Singapore.

Singapore's Buddhist temples and religious circles are highly organized and very often have a connection with foreign religious organisations, especially in China, Taiwan, Thailand, the United States, the United Kingdom, Sri Lanka etc. Many foreign Buddhist associations and temples have also established branches in Singapore to propagate Buddhist teachings and activities. For instance, the Taiwanese Fo Guang Shan, one of the largest Buddhist organisations in the world, together with Buddha's Light International Association, has a branch in Singapore (Buddha Light Singapore), tasked with propagating Zen practice， the teaching of dharma and the bodhisattva path. Buddhist temples and associations are spread all over Singapore, ranging from small to large.

The largest Mahayana temple in Singapore is Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery, whilst the Theravada school is represented by an equally prominent temple, the Wat Ananda Metyarama Temple. These temples hold many activities such as chanting, meditation, retreats, and dharma talks, as well as offering courses on dharma and meditation, very often attended by thousands of devotees and adherents of the respective lineage.

Religious liberty in Singapore has also provided a conducive environment for the development of varying Buddhist practices. Furthermore, as with Taoism, Buddhism is taking a turn into a new vista with the elevation of educational levels amongst followers and devotees, where more are seen to indulge in spiritual practices and self-enhancement such as meditation, practicing mindfulness, studies and understanding of religious history.

Several Buddhist youth groups organise activities such as camps, dharma lessons, meditation classes, fellowship and community services for the young. They include kmsYM, the Youth Ministry of Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Temple, the Youth Group of Singapore Buddhist Mission, WAY (Wat Ananda Youth), Buddhist Fellowship, 3GEMS, a group of youths offering guided Buddhist tours around major temples in Singapore and Dharma In Action set up by a group of Buddhist enthusiasts to promote the learning, understanding and practice of life-style Buddhism in modern societies.