Maha Sasana Ramsi Burmese Buddhist Temple

Maha Sasana Ramsi Burmese Buddhist Temple 


At the entrance

The temple was founded in 1878 and was originally located at Kintan Road off Serangoon Road. It is the first and only Burmese Buddhist temple built outside of Burma (Myanmar) in the traditional style, appropriately adapted to local conditions. In the main worship hall, there is an 11-foot high statue of Buddha, which was carved from a 10-tonne slab of marble found at Saygin Hill in Burma (Myanmaar). The statue was transported to Singapore and enshrined at the Kinta Road Temple in 1925. The temple only moved to its present location in 1991.

Majestic and Grand appearance

11-foot high statue of Buddha, completed in 1918

To us, the Burmese connection of this temple (and the areas around) is the most interesting fact we found.

Do you know that many side streets at the end of the Balestier Road are named after places in Burma? Such as Mandalay Road, Akyab Road, Bassein Road and Irrawaddy Road. Contrary to popular belief that the early immigrants to Singapore were mainly the Chinese and the Indians,  there were in fact people from other nationalities as well, and the Burmese community was one of them. Our group found this interesting as it once again highlights the nature of Singapore being an immigrant society since the early years.

The temple has also underwent massive refurbishments and upgrading when relocated. The original building was constructed in a much simpler style than its current building. (Refer to the photo below) What was common in both buildings would be the famous white marble Buddha statue, highlighting certain cultures which the Burmese Community persists in preserving. 
Appearance of the Temple at the former location, at Kintan Road.
Source: National Library Board




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