 Shan You Vesak Tour 2008
Chinatownology is proud to work with Shan You Counseling Centre, 善友辅导中心, to offer the 2008 Vesak Day Chinatown Tour. The proceeds of the tour go towards Shan You Counseling Centre (a non-profit organization) to support their operations.
This event is offered to supporters of Shan You, their friends and family members. This is not a fund raising event. To find out more about Shan You, visit their website at: www.shanyou.org.sg
Tour synopsis
Chinatown Vesak Day tour explores the contribution of Buddhism and Buddhist Venerables to the overseas Chinese history of Singapore.
Singapore Chinatown was the earliest residential area for ethnic Chinese in Singapore and important Chinese institutions were established there.
Many of them have remained to this day allowing us to explore the Buddhist history of Singapore Chinatown and its contribution to society.
The tour traces the arrival of Chinese migrants to Singapore, their life in Chinatown, how Buddhist organizations addressed the social needs of the time and how they continue to do so.
Visits to various monasteries and Chinese temples allowed visitors to understand traditional Chinese notions of “religion” and how it contributes towards harmonious interactions with other facets of Chinese belief system; Taoism and Confucianism as well as other religions.
The Tour
The first stop was Thian Hock Keng temple, 天福宫, and our visit coincided with the celebration of Mazu’s birthday. We were able to see devotee celebrating Mazu’s birthday and paying respects to her.
The next stop was City God temple, 都城隍庙, a Taoist temple founded by a Buddhist Venerable. This was followed by a visit to the Singapore Chinese Buddhist Association, 新加坡中华佛教会, and Kwan-In Welfare Society, 观音救苦会.
Ee Hoe Club, 怡和轩, provided a context to explore how Buddhist Venerables supported and contributed to the China Relief Fund during the Sino-Japanese war and World War Two.
The tour ended with a visit to Grand Court for a vegetarian meal offering visitors a “taste” of Buddhist heritage.
The tour is a historical exploration and locates Buddhism within the context of multi racial and multi religious Singapore. This is NOT a religious tour and suitable for people of all races and nationalities.
Feedback
Explanation of tour is informative and detailed.
Food is good.
Mrs. Sobfian Ong
Singapore
Good explanation of the historical facts of the temples and Buddhist culture.Food is great!
Ms Sim Siew Ping
Singapore
Food is good and tour is informative
Mr. Lawerance He
Singapore
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