Interfaith Heritage Management in Singapore's Buddhist Temples: A Case Study

Thesis Abstract

Interfaith engagement and heritage stewardship within Singapore’s Buddhist temples occur at the nexus of religious pluralism, urban development, and cultural conservation, yet systematic governance frameworks for interfaith heritage management remain underdeveloped. This study addresses the problem of how Buddhist temples in a multi-ethnic city-state balance intrinsic religious practices with externally oriented interfaith engagement, community outreach, and heritage preservation pressures. The aim is to develop an empirically grounded understanding of interfaith heritage management practices, governance mechanisms, and their outcomes, to inform policy and temple administration. Specific objectives are to (1) map the organizational structures, governance processes, and policy influences shaping interfaith activities in a representative set of temples; (2) examine stakeholder expectations, including adherents, interfaith partners, heritage professionals, and local authorities; (3) identify enablers and barriers to effective interfaith heritage management; (4) assess how heritage conservation, visitor management, and sacred practices are negotiated across faith contexts; and (5) propose a contextualized framework for best practices in interfaith heritage governance. The study employs a mixed-methods research design combining quantitative surveys and qualitative case study methods. The population comprises all active Buddhist temples within Singapore’s Central Region, with a purposive sample of 12 temples selected for variation in denomination, age of temple, visitor footfall, and active interfaith programs. A total of 240 temple staff and volunteers will complete structured questionnaires to measure governance quality, interfaith engagement intensity, perceived legitimacy, and conservation outcomes; and 60 semi-structured interviews will be conducted with temple managers, monks/nuns, regular adherents, interfaith partners, and representatives from the Urban Redevelopment Authority and National Heritage Board. Data collection instruments include a standardized governance survey instrument adapted from the Interfaith Organisational Capacity Scale, interview guides tailored to temple dynamics, and documentary checklists for policy and heritage records. Validity and reliability will be ensured through pilot testing (n=20) and Cronbach’s alpha assessments (desired alpha ? .80 for scales). Data analysis will integrate descriptive and inferential statistics with thematic analysis. Regression analysis will test the relationships between governance quality, interfaith engagement, and heritage outcomes; ANOVA will examine differences across temple types; and thematic analysis will interpret interview data to illuminate governance rationales, power dynamics, and cultural framings. A cross-case synthesis will identify patterns and provide a conceptual model of interfaith heritage management in this urban Buddhist milieu. Expected findings include (a) a multi-layered governance framework where formal policy, temple leadership, and interfaith networks interact to shape heritage management; (b) evidence that proactive interfaith programming is associated with higher perceived legitimacy, volunteer engagement, and sustainable heritage practices; (c) contextual constraints such as religious sensitivities, spatial zoning, funding volatility, and tourist pressure impacting conservation decisions; (d) variations in practice linked to temple age, community size, and proximity to international tourists, with heritage outcomes moderated by governance capacity and interfaith partnerships; and (e) a contextualized model articulating components, processes, and outcomes of interfaith heritage management applicable to similar multi-faith urban religious heritage sites. The study contributes to knowledge by integrating governance theory, heritage management, and interfaith studies within a concrete Southeast Asian city-state context, offering an empirically grounded framework for best practices in interfaith heritage governance. It advances theoretical understanding of how formal and informal governance mechanisms co-create heritage legitimacy and sustainability in religiously diverse urban environments. The practical implications include policy recommendations for temple administrations, heritage agencies, and civil society organizations on governance structures, stakeholder collaboration, funding strategies, and visitor management that respect sacred practices while promoting inclusive heritage experiences. The study concludes that sustainable interfaith heritage management in Singapore’s Buddhist temples requires (1) formalized interfaith coordination units within temple governance, (2) structured collaborative platforms with external heritage authorities and faith communities, (3) adaptive conservation planning aligned with religious rituals, and (4) continuous capacity-building and transparent communication to foster trust among diverse stakeholders. Recommendations emphasize scalable governance templates, enhanced digital heritage documentation, and targeted training programs for staff and volunteers to sustain interfaith engagement and heritage integrity.