The Singapore Buddhist Federation (SBF) was established in 1949 as an umbrella body to represent the Buddhist community in Singapore, and serve as a bridge between colonial authorities and various Buddhist institutions.1 On 31 July 1949, Lee Choon Seng (1888–1966), a prominent lay Buddhist and leader of the Chinese community, invited leaders from Buddhist temples in Singapore to discuss the formation of a federation to unite the Buddhist community. A few months later, on 30 October, the SBF was officially registered, starting with a management committee consisting of five monastics and five lay members. Lee was appointed the President, and Venerable Hong Choon (1907–1990), a prominent monk and abbot of Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery, was elected the Vice-President of the federation.2 At the inaugural meeting of the SBF on 12 February 1950 at the Singapore Buddhist Lodge, Lee highlighted five guiding objectives of the SBF — to promote world peace, propagate the Dharma, expand Buddhist education, carry out welfare activities, and improve the quality of the Sangha.3

President of the Singapore Buddhist Federation Lee Choon Seng speaks at its inaugural meeting in 1950. Reproduced with permission from SPH Media Limited.

Buddhist activism

During Lee Choon Seng’s tenure as the President of the SBF from 1950 to 1964, the federation worked with the British colonial authorities to advocate the interests of the Chinese Buddhist community. The most significant achievement of SBF-led activism was to lobby for Vesak Day to be gazetted as a public holiday in Singapore. After several failed attempts by the federation, on 15 June 1955, David Marshall’s (1908–1995) Labour Front government declared Vesak Day a public holiday in place of Whit Monday.4

The SBF also lobbied the colonial government for approval to set up cemeteries for the Chinese Buddhist community. In September 1955 and February 1959, the federation petitioned the authorities to establish a Buddhist cemetery of 110 acres at 16 milestones along Choa Chu Kang Road. The SBF was permitted to set up the cemetery, as well as construct bridges, drains, roads, a Buddhist shrine, and a dining hall in the vicinity.5

During Singapore’s post-independence period (1965–present), the SBF began to adopt a different approach to Buddhist activism and Dharma activities. This shift can be attributed to two factors.

First, the change in leadership. Lee Choon Seng was the first and the last layperson to serve as the President of the SBF. After he completed his eighth term and retired in 1964, all the subsequent Presidents were Chinese monks from the Mahayana tradition — Hong Choon (served from 1964–1986), Kong Hiap (1986–1988), Siong Khye (1988–1990), Yiu Tam (1990–1992), Beow Teng (1992–1994), Long Gen (1994–2004), Wai Yim (2004–2006), Kwang Sheng (2006–2014), and Kwang Phing (2014–present).6

The second factor contributing to the SBF’s change in approach to Buddhist activism and Dharma activities was the emergence of “Reformist Buddhism” in Singapore. The changing socio-political and economic environment since the 1970s required Buddhism to cater to the modern needs of Buddhists, society, and the state.7 The rise of Reformist Buddhism, with its emphasis on promoting scriptural knowledge to the public, increasing participation, and proselytising the faith, resulted in members of the SBF becoming increasingly involved in propagating the Dharma, and promoting education in post-independence Singapore.

Setting up schools

The SBF has always emphasised education. After it was established in 1949, the federation founded Maha Bodhi School, which became the first Buddhist primary school in Singapore. In 1990, Maha Bodhi School was accorded Special Assistance Plan status by the Ministry of Education. Then, in 1982, the SBF founded Manjusri Secondary School — the first and only Buddhist secondary school in Singapore. Both Maha Bodhi School and Manjusri Secondary School are currently government-aided schools, where funding is largely provided by the state, and the SBF helps the schools to raise additional funds for supplementary school activities and campus facilities.

Maha Bodhi School, 1951. From Nanyang Siang Pau, reproduced with permission from SPH Media Limited.

Exchanges with China

The SBF also played a role in fostering Buddhist exchanges between Singapore and China in the period before the official establishment of diplomatic ties between both countries in 1990. The second President of the SBF, Venerable Hong Choon, made eight visits to China between 1982 and 1990, where he met with national leaders such as China’s Vice President Ulanfu (1906–1988), as well as with Buddhist leaders from the Buddhist Association of China. During these visits to China, Hong Choon also made pilgrimages to sacred Buddhist sites, helped restore the monasteries associated with his master Venerable Huiquan (1874–1942), and officiated at religious ceremonies at numerous monasteries.8 Buddhist relations between the two countries have survived the death of Venerable Hong Choon, and have in recent decades continued to flourish.

The SBF today remains an important national association in representing the Singaporean Buddhist community. It also promotes education and international religious exchanges, and fosters dialogue between Buddhists and other faiths in Singapore.