The Singapore Buddha Sasana Society

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Our History

How it all began…

The Singapore Buddha Sasana Society had its humble beginnings in the early 60’s in a classroom of the Maha Bodhi School. A few young people eager to know more about the Buddha’s teachings got together to form a Dharma study group.

 

Initially, the Society’s activities such as Dharma Talks and discussions were held in the homes of members.

 

Then in the late 70’s, His Holiness Sakya Trizin and Ven Tharig Tulku Rinpoche visited Singapore. Having received encouragement from these two great teachers, the members decided to operate the Society out of rented premises. We requested His Holiness Sakya Trizin to be our Spiritual Patron.

Pioneers of Sasana

With an increased membership, the Society bought her very first own premises at 9 Topaz Road in 1979. His Holiness Sakya Trizin provided support to the Society by sending one of his highest ranking monks, Ponlop Lama Tashi Tenzin to guide members in their understanding of the Buddha’s teachings. Ponlop Lama Tashi Tenzin was the Principal of the Tantric College of Sakya Monastery in Tibet and he became the Society’s first Resident Monk in Singapore.

 

It was during this period that the membership grew further and members then felt that the Society should consider building her own and bigger premises.
However, the Society had to move a second time as a result of the government’s need to acquire the Topaz Road premises for expansion of the Pan Island Expressway. This time, the move was to 37/39 Lorong 25A where more activities were introduced. 

During the early 90’s, circumstances imposed on the Management Committee to make a serious decision to look for a more permanent premises.


The plan was to build something that will incorporate both the Chinese and Tibetan style of external architecture. The features should reflect simplicity, peace and harmony. His Holiness Sakya Trizin and the then Resident Monk, Venerable Dorjay from Sakya Centre, provided their guidance on the project.


It was through the tremendous effort of her members that the Society finally realized her dream – the dream of having a permanent home where all the Society’s activities can be carried out under one roof. Thus began our new home at 5 Pasir Ris Drive 4.

It is also the Society’s dream to have a place from which it can expand her activities to include the performance of community services. This is in addition to the Society’s prime objective of spreading the Buddha’s teachings.

 

The Buddha taught his followers to refrain from causing harm and to be generous to others, i.e. to develop Loving Kindness, Compassion and the Willingness to Give. Performing community service will provide one with the practical training in addition to the theoretical understanding.
Through the activities and services, the Society hopes to be able to benefit more people.