This new grand Burmese Buddhist Temple (BBT) is the replacement of the previous smaller premise located at 17 Kinta Road, Singapore. From its modest beginning with small temple at Kinta Road, the BBT began to grow gradually as a result of untiring efforts of U Kyaw Gaung, also known as Khoo Teogou a Burmese practitioner of traditional medicine and a native of Burma.
U Kyaw Gaung went to Sagyin Hill, 30 miles north of Mandalay, which was famous for its superior quality marble used in making Buddha image.There he bought a large marble weighing more than ten tons at the price of Rs. 1,200.Buddha image was sculptured out of that block of marble in Mandalay and it was completed in 1918.This huge and magnificent marble Buddha image which stands eleven feet high and weighs ten tons was carried over to Singapore in1921.
Sayadaw U Pannya Vamsa's earlier effort in 1971 to build a temple 'in Singapore with the help of the Dharma Cakra Society was unfortunately not realised.Again in 1973, U Ba Thein, son of U Kyaw Gaung, approached Sayadaw at the Penang Burmese Buddhist Temple to assist him in the development of his temple in Kinta Road but to no avail.
However, after overcoming many obstacles and putting in much efforts by venerable monks, the lay-Buddhists and well-wishers, Ven. U Pannya Vamsa built this temple, Sasanaramsi Burmese Buddhist Temple in 1990.It is the first and only Burmese Buddhist temple built outside Burma (Myanmar) in the traditional style appropriately adapted to the local conditions. Its magnificent marble Buddha image is the biggest enshrined outside Burma.
Besides Dhamma classes, religious festivals and Burmese traditional celebrations like New Year Celebration (Thingyan) are regularly held in the temple.
This unique and dignified temple becomes a religious landmark in Singapore.
What to see
The Sasanaramsi Temple is the only Burmese Theravada Buddhist temple built in the traditional style outside Myanmar. Additionally it houses a marble Buddha image that is the largest enshrined outside Myanmar. The Buddha statue is 11 ft high, 9 ft 2 in wide and 3 ft 10 in thick. It is carved from solid piece of white marble that weighs in at 10 tons.
Activities and Temple Committee
The Meditation Hall of the temple let devotees practise their vipassana (Insight) meditation in quiet surroundings. The Meditation Hall of the temple let devotees practise their vipassana (Insight) meditation in quiet surroundings.
The temple's resident Sangha comprises of 4 Burmese monks headed by Sayadaw U Pannya Vamsa while the management of the temple's operations is run by a management committee that comprises of devotees from the Burmese and Singaporean communities. The monks conduct regular Dhamma talks, chants and blessings for devotees all year round. Its annual calendar of events includes New Year Special Offering to the Sangha, Chinese New Year's Eve Chanting, Water Festival (Thin Gyan), Vesak Day, Vassa (Rain Retreat) Offering of Robes, Kathina Celebration and Novitiate Programme.
Other weekly activities held at BBT are as follows:
* Puja
* Meditation (Adult/Children)
* Dhamma Class (Sri Lanka syllabus)
* Sunday Dhamma School (Children)
* Abhidhamma Class
* Dhammacakka Chanting (Burmese group)
