The Sakya Muni Buddha Gaya Temple 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
You may visit this place as part of the Little India Walking Tour. To come here direct, the nearest MRT station is the Farrer Park Station (NE8) .
Sights in Little India
These are all the sights I've grouped under Little India, listed in alphabetical order. I would recommend that you visit them together. See the Little India Walking Tour for a recommended walk of this area.
The following are places where you can do a bit of shopping. These include places where the locals shop for their local items, but it provides an interesting glimpse of life in Singapore.
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Singapore Travel Tips is researched and written by Timothy Tye, also known as Tim. The information provided is in goodwill and is believed to be correct and up-to-date at time of writing. This website disclaims responsible for its usage, and encourage users to recheck the information before using. Tim's Travel Tips and globe logo are trademark and service mark of Timothy Tye. Photographs that belong to Tim are copyrighted and may not be reused unless you first obtain permission. All of Tim's photographs are available for commercial use under the following licensing terms. Some photos are provided by Panoramio. Photos provided by Panoramio are under the copyright of their owners. They may only be used under the terms & conditions specified by Panoramio.
