From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
As of 2000, 42.5% of the Singaporeans register themselves as
Buddhist by religion. Adherents of Buddhism are
mostly of the Chinese majority ethnic group,
although small minorities of Sinhalese and Thai Buddhists do exist
as well.
Mahayana Buddhism is the most prevalent
form of Buddhism in Singapore. Sizeable communities following
other traditions include Theravada and Tibetan Buddhism. The representative
organization of Buddhism in Singapore is the Singapore Buddhist
Federation.
Youths in Singapore who want to learn Buddhism and lead Buddhist
lifestyles can join youth groups such as the Youth Ministry of Kong Meng San Phor Kark
See Temple, Singapore Buddhist Mission Youth, WAY (Wat Ananda
Youth), The Buddhist Fellowship, NUS Buddhist Society, NTU
Buddhist Society, Singapore Polytechnic Buddhist Society, Nanyang
Polytechnic Buddhist Society, Ngee Ann Polytechnic Buddhist
Society, Amitabha Buddhist Centre, Firefly Mission, YBC (Young
Buddhist Chapter), 3GEMS (Buddhist guided tours) and many more
youth groups.
History
The presence of Buddhism in Singapore was evident during the Srivijayan times. In line with ancestorial
practices, many of the Chinese inhabitants also mix in Taoism and
Confucianism to Buddhism. By virtue thereof, there is a strong
trend blending towards Thai Buddhism, especially amongst the
younger generation Singaporeans, which is seen to bear cultural
similarities for its ability in encompassing Chinese culture and
practices as represented in Taoism. Buddhism as represented by
Theravada Buddhism, the oldest Buddhist school of thought, is
seeing a potent growth in Singapore in the past decade.
The Singapore census includes detailed data on religion and
ethnicity. Figures on Buddhism in 1980 shown that 27% of
Singaporeans are Buddhists, up to 31.2% in 1990 and 42.5% in 2000.
It is also noted that there is a significant increase of interest
in the Buddhist teachings (Dharma), practices, and customs (i.e chanting,
meditation, and offering formality). With a younger and more
informed population, Buddhism is seen as the most viable religion
in Singapore.
Traditions and
ceremonies
There has been an effort to distinguish certain customs and
practices in both Buddhism and Taoism as folks traditions and
practices by a minority group of people. The majority of adherents
of these faiths, however, are unaware of such distinctions. This is
to be seen in the vagueness of identification distinction amongst
the followers of the faiths. As such, many so called "Buddhists"
are actually adherents of Chinese folk traditions who visits
temples of Chinese folk traditions for worship rather than learning
the Dharma from Buddhist
monasteries. Similar trends are also witnessed in countries such as
Taiwan, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Thailand.
Traditions
The Mahayana school, Theravada school, and Tibetan
Buddhism have acquired sizable followings. Monks from Sri Lanka, Thailand and other
South-eastern countries have come to teach their form of the Dharma to the Chinese in Singapore. As a result, a number
of Theravada and other
Buddhist temples like the Sakya Muni Buddha Gaya
Temple have sprung up in recent years.
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 the
younger Singaporeans, are joining Buddhist circles. As a nation of
immigrants, majority from mainland China, Buddhism in Singapore
inevitably took the form of Chinese Mahayana perspection. 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 Buddhism, there is a strong
proliferating trend of averting to this intrinsic form of Buddhism.
The Japanese Buddhist organization, 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. The Singapore members of the Soka Gakkai are
mostly those of Chinese descent. Another sect of Buddhism that is
seen making slow inroad into Singapore is Tibetan
Buddhism that seems to benefit from the writings of western
monks and writers (e.g., the Dalai Lama, Thubten Chodron, Tenzin Palmo).
Singapore's Buddhist temples and religious circles are highly
organized and very often have a connection with foreign religious
organizations, especially in China, Taiwan, Thailand, the USA, the
UK, Sri Lanka, etc. Many foreign Buddhist associations and temples
have also established branches in Singapore to propagate Buddhist
teachings and activities. Buddhist temples and associations are
spread all over Singapore, ranging from small to large.
The largest Chinese Mahayana Buddhist temple in Singapore is Kong Meng San Phor Kark
See Monastery, whilst Thai Theravada Buddhism is represented by
an equally prominent temple, the Wat Ananda Metyarama Temple. These
temples hold many Buddhist activities such as chanting, meditation,
retreats, and Dharma talks, as
well as offering Buddhist 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 and etc. with proper
altar set up at home for paying homage to Lord Buddha.
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.
Buddhist monasteries and
temples
Dharma
Centres
Tertiary
Youth Groups
- National University of Singapore Buddhist Society
- National Technology University Buddhist Society
- Singapore Polytechnic Buddhist Society
- Nanyang Polytechnic Buddhist Society
- Ngee Ann Polytechnic Buddhist Society
External
links
References
- Chia, Jack Meng Tat. "Buddhism in Singapore: A State of the
Field Review." Asian Culture 33 (June 2009): 81-93.
- Kuah, Khun Eng. State, Society and Religious Engineering:
Towards a Reformist Buddhism in Singapore. Singapore: Eastern
Universities Press, 2003.
- Ong, Y.D. Buddhism in Singapore: A Short Narrative
History. Singapore: Skylark Publications, 2005.
- Shi Chuanfa 释传发. Xinjiapo Fojiao Fazhan Shi 新加坡佛教发展史
[A History of the Development of Buddhism in Singapore]. Singapore:
Xinjiapo fojiao jushilin, 1997.
- Wee, Vivienne. “Buddhism in Singapore.” In Understanding
Singapore Society, eds. Ong Jin Hui, Tong Chee Kiong and Tan
Ern Ser, pp. 130-162. Singapore: Times Academic Press, 1997.
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