Buddhist Minimalism

Buddhism as it exists in Asia is extremely conservative, or perhaps better, set in its ways. Of course, I wouldn’t mind it were set in the Buddha’s ways. Problem is, it is all too often set in ways that evolved many centuries after the Buddha. This resistance to innovation expresses itself in architecture as much as anything else. Temples are generally built is in traditional styles to the degree that it is possible. Here in Singapore at least one temple has ‘broken the mold’, Poh Ming Tsu, on Bukit Tima Road. The original Poh Ming Tsu was built in 1934 but after the death of its long-standing incumbent, a new young and dynamic lay committee decided, in 2006, to demolish the old temple and build another one that would reflect a more contemporary outlook. The new temple was finished earlier this year. For the last few months, on my way back from the polytechnic where I teach every Wednesday, I pass Poh Ming Tsu and always admire it. Then last week I was invited to speak there, giving me the opportunity to have a really good look at the place. The whole atmosphere of Poh Ming Tsu is what I would call Buddhist minimalist, its surfaces and lines are simple and functional giving the place certain quietness. It has lecture rooms, a beautiful library and a shrine room that invokes stillness and silence as soon as you step into it. Only the uplifting pitched roof hints of traditional Chinese architecture. In keeping with Poh Ming Tsu’s more contemporary form, the new committee is encouraging more Dhamma teaching and less ritual activities invited speakers from all three schools of Buddhism. We need more modern temples and we defiantly need more modern Buddhism.