Buddha Tooth Relic Temple Soft Opening

The pre opening celebration has once again bring Chinatown into the spotlight after the annual Chinese New Year celebration.

The streets has been lighted up spanning the entire length of South Bridge Road from Elgin Bridge at the Singapore River to BTRTM at Sago Street. They have also invited various countries to send representative decorated floats and performing contingents to participate in a Float Parade along South Bridge Road on their Soft Opening, 30 May 2007. There will also be a Vesak Charity Carnival just near by.

The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple (Singapore) (BTRTS) was founded in 2002 by Venerable Shi Fa Zhao. The Temple will be dedicated to the Maitreya Buddha, which means 'The Compassionate One', and also called 'The Future Buddha'. Their Mission is to be the best Buddhist cultural complex in the region, to promote and impart the Teachings of Lord Buddha.

The Buddhist Mandala is the representation of the Buddhist Universe. Mandalas are amongst the best known Buddhist icons in the world. The Sanskrit noun ‘Mandala’ means any circle or discoid object, which signifies a sacred enclosure. Mandalas are often described as cosmoplans in both the external sense, as diagrams of the Buddhist cosmos; and in the internal sense, as guides to the psycho-physical practices of a Buddhist.

There are many types of mandalas, varying according to the particular Buddha or Bodhisattva occupying the center. Each has its own accompanying rituals, performed for the attainment of some specific purpose. The ancient Borobudur temple, near Jogjarkata, Indonesia is such an example. Sand Mandalas are used by the Sangha in various Buddhist ceremonies.