The Sakya Muni Buddha Gaya Temple, also known as the ‘Temple of a Thousand Lights’, is a Buddhist temple located at Race Course Road. The temple was established by Reverend Vutthisasara, a Thai monk who came to Singapore in 1927 and spent the remainder of his life at the temple. Situated within the temple is a 15-metre-tall statue of the Sakya Muni Buddha, which sits atop an Indian-style diorama depicting the key events in the Buddha’s life. Housed within the temple is a Reclining Buddha, which is meant to represent the historical Buddha at his death. Other religious artefacts enshrined in the temple include statues of the Laughing Buddha and the Hindu deities Brahma and Ganesha. The temple is also in custody of a piece of bark believed to be from the Bodhi Tree under which the Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment.
