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Singapore is a Melting Pot

I believe Singapore is blessed with a rich diversity of religions. Owning to the assimilation of various cultures through the centuries. But, prominent among these religions is Buddhism and Taoism. I didn’t think this was surprising when I considered that the Chinese from the majority of the population in this medical tourism destination. When Sir Stamford Raffles established his trading port in the Singapore Marina, thousands of Chinese immigrants began to pour in looking for business and employment opportunities. The immigrants brought with them traditional Chinese beliefs and a strain of Buddhism known as the Mahayana sects.

Traditional Chinese philosophies influenced everything in Singapore, like medicine, business matters and interior design. Taoism is the major principle behind Feng Shui which involves the removal of bad or negative energy and fosters positive energies in the home which improves the health and wealth of the homeowner. Acupuncture, which involves insertions of needles into a body to cure various ailments, is also based on the positive energy, negative energy premise. In places like Chinatown, medical tourism visitors, such as myself, can see remnants of Toaist healing and design practices.

Islam is the dominant religion of the Malays, so therefore, has a long standing in Singapore. Muslims, approximately 16 percent of the total population and immigrants from the Middle East also boost the number of Islamic followers in this island nation. Muslim practices in Singapore are relatively liberal compared to most Islamic countries.

Hinduism, India’s most commonly practiced religion arrived in Singapore with the hundred or so Indians who were a part of the party that came with Sir Stamford Raffles’ arrival at Singapore harbor. The early Indians were largely from Tamil Nadu, and their presence resulted in the construction of some of the most beautiful temples in Singapore. All of which is good for the tourism of Singapore.

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Tags: Hinduism, Islam, Mahayana sects, Marina, Melting Pot, Singapore, Sir Stamford Raffles

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