The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum () is a Buddhist temple and museum complex located in the Chinatown district of Singapore. The temple's monastics and devotees officially practice Chinese Buddhism. Overview The temple was built based on the Chinese Buddhist architectural style of the Tang dynasty (as well as incorporating slight Tibetan Buddhist influences in certain rooms) to house the tooth relic of the historical Buddha. It is claimed that the relic of Buddha from which it gains its name was found in a collapsed stupa. The size of the tooth - measuring 7.5 cm - is also far too long for a human tooth. The relic can be viewed by the public at the 4th floor of the temple. The basement of the temple holds a theatre and a vegetarian dining hall that serve complimentary meals, though donations are accepted. History Ven. Shi Fa Zhao, the current president and abbot of Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum, was approached by STB to redevelop the temple. Besides stipulating the building design to be ‘traditional’, it is also requested that the temple contains facilities and hold events for both locals and tourists. The temple had gone through a total of nine proposals before its design was finalized. The abbot rejected a design that was too ‘contemporary’, therefore, deemed out of place in the Chinatown landscape. He also rejected a design with Southern Chinese typology, which is the style adopted by temples with a long history in Chinatown. As such, a temple with Southern China architecture would have been an authentic reflection of the migrant history of Singapore. The design of the temple has a Northern Chinese style with strong influences from the Chinese Buddhist architectural style of the Tang Dynasty. Shi Fa Zhao is also the founder of the Metta Welfare Association, a non-profit voluntary welfare organization (VWO) that provides special education, welfare services, community and medical care to the intellectually disabled, elderly and terminally ill in society. Temple Outline First Storey Shanmen (Chinese: 山門; pinyin: Shānmén): Meaning "Mountain Gate". This is a traditional temple gateway that has 3 large, heavy, red lacquered doors in accordance with traditional Tang Dynasty style architecture. It acts as the main entrance to the temple and is fitted with gilt bronze studs, engraved plates and lion door knockers. The entry via the center gate is restricted, usually reserved for important guests. Hundred Dragon Hall