Taoism in Singapore

Taoism first arrived in Singapore with the first Chinese settlers to the country. The majority of these settlers worshipped Mazu (媽祖) to guide them safely in on their arrival in a new foreign country. Taoist practice later flourished as an increasing number of Chinese merchants and coolies settled in Singapore.

Many Taoist followers worship bodhisattva as well as Taoism and Buddhism have traditionally enjoyed a peaceful coexistence, thereby leading to obscured delineation between the two religions. Subsequently, with the rise of Buddhist activists in the 1980s, the pool of faithful who worship both Taoist deities and Buddha realigned to declare themselves as Buddhists even if they were primarily worshipping Taoist deities (defined as families which worship Taoist deities at home). This led to a statistical decline in the Taoist population in Singapore. However, any attempt to deny Taoism its right as a religion of its own is dubious owing to the substantially growing and unreported numbers of youngsters embracing the faith.

Koo Chye Ba Sheng Hong Temple.

Taoism itself forms part of the nucleus of Chinese traditions amongst Chinese Singaporeans, many folk practices are also adopted by Chinese Buddhists. Chinese Deities like Lord Guan, Xuan Tian Shang Di, and Tua Pek Kong are some of the most popular deities among Taoist adherents and the local Chinese community. Many Taoists also worshipped Buddhist Bodhisattvas like Guanyin and Di Zang Wang. The yin and yang, Wuxing concept, being an orthodox Taoist principle, is, however, only anecdotally practiced by the common Taoist believers.

Taoist martial arts, notably Tai Chi, is practiced in community centres. The Lorong Koo Chye Sheng Hong Temple, or the City God Temple, engaged Taoist priests from Mount Wudang to teach Tai Chi and more than 3000 students of diverse race and religion practice daily at the temple.

One of the oldest Taoist temples is the Thian Hock Keng, built by the late wealthy philanthropist Dr Tan Tock Seng, which also serves as the root of the Hokkien Huay Kuan. There are other notables temples such as the Soon Tian Gong in Geylang and the Guan Yin Temple in Waterloo Street.

Chinese ancestral worship is a traditional practice, practiced by a large number of ethnic Chinese in Singapore. The Taoists, most Buddhists and some of the non-religious Chinese still continued the ancestral worship tradition.

In the past, Chinese families owned ancestral tablets with the ancestors' names inscribed on them. Such tablets are placed on ancestral halls and urns meant for placing joss sticks, and food offerings are usually placed in front of it. Ancestral tablets found in Chinese homes only state the names of patrilineal ancestors and their wives. With the advent of modernism, and perchance owing to the decline of traditional Chinese values, filial piety and thus such practices are slowly fading. However, many Chinese have eventually moved their ancestor tablets to Buddhist temples and a handful of Taoist temples to carry on the ancestor worship tradition in much simplified manner. At most only Taoist or Buddhist altars are found in Chinese homes.

Families may choose to have their ancestors cremated and kept in columbariums or buried in cemeteries respectively. Families would visit their ancestor's resting place, especially during the Qingming Festival. They would bring joss sticks, incense papers and food offerings to the ancestors.

According to Chinese custom and tradition, people worshipping ancestors at Chinese cemeteries or columbariums must first lay out their offerings and prayer items before burning the joss stick. The worshippers may then recite prayers before proceeding to place their joss sticks on designated areas. The worshippers then burn the incense paper and collect the food after worship.

• Taoist Federation of Singapore
• Taoist Federation Youth Group
• Taoism.sg