05-19-2008, 11:03 PM
<b>Buddhism fastest-growing religion in Singapore</b><!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Singapore, May 19 : Buddhism is the fastest-growing religion in Singapore, particularly among the young and educated, a census conducted by The Straits Times showed Monday.
<b>The number of people aged 15 and over who are Buddhists jumped from 31 percent of the population in 1990 to 43 percent, or 1.1 million people, 10 years later, making it the largest religion in the city-state.</b>
The census figures published in the newspaper showed a fourfold jump in Buddhists who were graduates between 1990 and 2000. Membership numbers of Buddhist youth groups have soared.
Converts told the newspaper that the religion offered comfort in the face of uncertainties and disasters. Moreover it is a constant reminder to look beyond materialism to attain calmness and happiness through meditation and reflection, they said.
"Through Buddhism, I can be a better daughter, a better sister, a better friend and a better colleague," Hindu-born Tara Melwani, the 43-year-old director of a retailing group, was quoted as saying.
Actress Nadya Hutagalung, 34, born into a Christian family, said she was attracted by the philosophy of Buddhism, the newspaper said.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
This is very much true. In early 90s when I used to live in Singapore, trend was Christianity. People were switching Chinese names to Christian name. During those days conversion rate was very high. Around bus stand, railway stations it was very common to see young Singaporean standing in circle praying together "Lord". Even my friend accepted Christianity, reason was, it is trendy and people treat you well. Recently, she returned back to Buddhism, claiming Christianity is just a hollow faith. I don't fit in. She felt she was losing her identity and connection to her Chinese culture. Her family never converted. I remember, my friend mother told me, she will comeback, during young age people are rebellious, it is one of those thing, but our ancient religion will be with us till the end. After short affair with Christianity they are reverting back.
I tried to convert her to Hindusim, took her to temples couple of time, well she liked prayers(Aarti) and food(Parasd) but Gods were dark color in Singapore, that was a problem. I told her in North India they are white color. <!--emo&
--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif' /><!--endemo-->
<b>The number of people aged 15 and over who are Buddhists jumped from 31 percent of the population in 1990 to 43 percent, or 1.1 million people, 10 years later, making it the largest religion in the city-state.</b>
The census figures published in the newspaper showed a fourfold jump in Buddhists who were graduates between 1990 and 2000. Membership numbers of Buddhist youth groups have soared.
Converts told the newspaper that the religion offered comfort in the face of uncertainties and disasters. Moreover it is a constant reminder to look beyond materialism to attain calmness and happiness through meditation and reflection, they said.
"Through Buddhism, I can be a better daughter, a better sister, a better friend and a better colleague," Hindu-born Tara Melwani, the 43-year-old director of a retailing group, was quoted as saying.
Actress Nadya Hutagalung, 34, born into a Christian family, said she was attracted by the philosophy of Buddhism, the newspaper said.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
This is very much true. In early 90s when I used to live in Singapore, trend was Christianity. People were switching Chinese names to Christian name. During those days conversion rate was very high. Around bus stand, railway stations it was very common to see young Singaporean standing in circle praying together "Lord". Even my friend accepted Christianity, reason was, it is trendy and people treat you well. Recently, she returned back to Buddhism, claiming Christianity is just a hollow faith. I don't fit in. She felt she was losing her identity and connection to her Chinese culture. Her family never converted. I remember, my friend mother told me, she will comeback, during young age people are rebellious, it is one of those thing, but our ancient religion will be with us till the end. After short affair with Christianity they are reverting back.
I tried to convert her to Hindusim, took her to temples couple of time, well she liked prayers(Aarti) and food(Parasd) but Gods were dark color in Singapore, that was a problem. I told her in North India they are white color. <!--emo&
--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif' /><!--endemo-->