Decline Of Buddhism In Singapore

last SG · 2011-02-20T01:14:26+00:00

decline of Buddhism was predicted by the Buddha isnt it. also it goes to show that the law of impermanence is true. no country or religion stay the same fore...

WeeShun SG

Decline Of Buddhism In Singapore

近期公布的新加坡人口普查2010年报告，明显地指出过去10年来信仰佛教的人数有大幅度的下降，原因是否和印顺导师在他的著作常提到的以下佛教流弊现象有关: 重经忏法会, 喜神秘神通的香火道场，卖素斋，供禄(莲)位, 忽略了讲经弘法的如来事业。婆罗门教化，儒化，道化，神化的佛教。根本佛法的淳朴已被梵化而不存在了。国大的一位社会学副教授在他的评语中指出受高教育的新加坡人比较会选择非宗教仪式化的生活方式。这个趋向是否刚好和时下在新加坡盛行的一般佛教流弊现象相反，导致受高教育的年轻人远离佛教。~ 刘德宣

The recent Singapore population census of 2010 report indicated a rapid decline (first dip in 30 years) of people adopting the Buddhist faith. I wonder if the reason for such decline is linked to the following phenomenon of abuses in Buddhist practices so often cautioned by Venerable Master Yinshun in his various writings: Emphasis on rituals, obsession with the mystical and metaphysical aspects.

Joss-stick temples preoccupied with the business of offering vegetarian dishes and ancestor worship services, but neglected the teaching of the Dharma as a core duty and responsibility. Buddhist practices that embraced and incorporated the practices of Brahmanism, Confucianism, Taoism and the deification of the Buddha. The purity and simplicity of the original teaching of the Buddha has been contaminated by divinization of the teachings.

Sociologist Daniel Goh, an assistant professor at the National University of Singapore, said ‘Higher-educated people are more likely to look to a de-ritualized way of life. “. Has the popular ”Buddhist” practices (or malpractices) we see here in today’s Singapore run counter to this trend of the more educated younger generation, therefore causing these younger and more educated Singaporeans to stay away from Buddhism? ~ Low Teck Suan

Wiser SG

but i think there is a up for Taoism.

Christanity also suffered from the new creation church n pastor sun ho's sexy dancing with the black last year, any dip in followers?

My Fav Class95 SG

Buddhism has become Amituofo only religion nowadays.You think those paikias will accept this?I tell my sister to recite only one Amituofo she also refuse.

Wiser SG

ask her to join in the fun activities first la. the piekias where got mind to chant. they only want violence. see blood they happy. they got the "fighting" demon in them.

Wiser SG

actually why religions are measured by numbers nowadays?

like that sure lose to muslims. Can't outnumber them.

I thought should measure the happiness, peace and joy one can get from one religion rather than numbers.

sinweiy SG

can 先以欲勾牵，后令入佛智, use something interesting to interest people, before introducing Buddhism.

Herzog_Zwei SG

Because people understand that religions including Buddhism is not scientific.

An Eternal Now SG

Because people understand that religions including Buddhism is not scientific.

There's nothing unscientific about Buddhism, especially when it is a form of science in itself.

An Eternal Now SG

Decline Of Buddhism In Singapore

Those who emphasize rituals are probably not Buddhists to begin with.

Yet, true Buddhists are still the minority among so called 'Buddhists'.

2009novice SG

We are in the Dharma Ending Age, and now buddhism is mixed with other religions and rituals... hard to define clearly to the laity.

Reminds me of people praying to Guan Yin Bodhisattva but not sure what buddhism means to them

And so many buddhist deities associated in religious taoism, or shenism? Not the philosophical taoism Laozi taught. This surely cause further confusion as well

Fcukpap SG

as a society becomes more open to greater future possibilities, the more secular peoples' perception becomes...

but that does not mean faiths are wrong, but rather open...and more tolerant of other worlds' views and beliefs....it is a good sign only with the right and balanced perception

An Eternal Now SG

We are in the Dharma Ending Age, and now buddhism is mixed with other religions and rituals... hard to define clearly to the laity.

Reminds me of people praying to Guan Yin Bodhisattva but not sure what buddhism means to them

And so many buddhist deities associated in religious taoism, or shenism? Not the philosophical taoism Laozi taught. This surely cause further confusion as well

I wouldn't say this is the problem of dharma ending age. Rather it is the lack of dharma understanding and education and can be resolved through more efforts in spreading the teachings.

This problem isn't apparent in places like America where the dharma is still spreading.

wisdomeye SG

Look at ourselves. Have we developed positive qualities or changed ourselves in any way for the better after learning dharma. If we have, for instance become calmer, more thoughtful and helpful to others, able to remain less affected by good and bad circumstances, have a basic sense of good cheer and contentment... then people around us who observe the changes may realise that something is working. Then they are more intrigued to learn.

If we become more attached after learning Buddhism, become more greedy even if in the spiritual sense, creating more hassle and problems for others, then we will no doubt set a bad example and create distaste in the minds of others.

Wiser SG

well i see chakra and kundalini as the next BIG thing in the spiritual pursuit.

Especially when science starts to focus on proving the existence of the two in a human body, that will be BIG.

Wiser SG

this world is getting more materialistic. So many luxurious lifestyles and choices that can be bought by $$$ and only $$$. Not Gods, Jesus, Buddha or Mother Mary.

Already pastors are corrupted, monks are corrupted, morals do not keep up in this society anymore. Only $$$ works the best.

Survival is the key thing.

Zenist69 SG

Decline Of Buddhism In Singapore

Singapore has become too Westernize thats why. People here think highly everything from the Western countries and look down on the Asian language, culture, and religion. They only pretend pretend pay lip service to Asian culture, heritage, religions, etc.

Wanna tweak this problem not easy. Gotta look who is in charge here. Who got the overwhelming power here. Who had nudge this country towards overly Westernize?? So... this trend will carry on, the decline of Buddhism here in this country. Unless we could tackle the root cause of this problem. Which is ... PAP.

Vote PAP OUT to Save SG SG

You are quite clear about the causes for the decline in local culture.

Not bad.

Your mind is clear.

Harry Lee Kuan Yew is the reason why local cultures declined. This is a statement of fact.

Fcukpap SG

secularism is necessarily important to ensure everyone's views/ beliefs (not just any one faction or groups) are respected

Vote PAP OUT to Save SG SG

seems like where ever PAP goes the local culture will be destroyed.

They are an extremely destructive force on local culture.

sanath SG

Don't bullshit and say it's PAP's fault. If not, why was there a rise in Taoism?! Just went to have a look at Loyang Tua Pek Kong temple on the 9th day of CNY (so-called Tee Kong's birthday), filled to the BRIM! Just a few hours before that i went to Foo Hai Monastery (yes, the one whose abbot was just released from jail not long ago!) it was also full to the brim with adherents praying. So don't bullshit and say there's a decline in local culture.

There are alot of other nations in Asia that are also "Westernising" or looking up to the west. Look at Korea, within 60 years more than 2/3 of religious adherents there are either Catholic or Protestant, but also with more less religious. Japan walked the same path (people there becoming less religious), China is about to walk it! Alot of Asian countries are becoming even more westernised than us. However, Indonesia and Malaysia are becoming more radicalised, so are you saying it's Islam's fault?

Everything also want to blame the government! When you point a finger, 3 (4) point back at yourself. So don't say it's the government's fault if there is a decline in Buddhism; we Buddhists only have ourselves to blame for not doing a better job!