VESAK CELEBRATIONS Washing the stupa at Ean Keng Si Buddhist Temple Bathing Prince Siddhartha at Mahabodhi Monastery SBWS Youth performance at Hougang Stadium KYCL Light transference at Clementi Stadium Vesak carnival at Thekchen Choling (Singapore) Devotion corner at Mangala Vihara Buddhist Temple Children s performance at Buddhist Library Children s performance at Buddhist Fellowship 55
BUDDHIST PHOR KARK SEE MONASTERY GLITTERING VESAK CELEBRATIONS Tens of thousands of devotees irrespective of age flocked to Phor Kark See Monastery during the period of Vesak to take part in its multifarious celebration activities, which this year came under the theme Gratitude to the Nation in conjunction with SG 50. The monastery held its annual mass light transference ceremony on May 23 evening as a prelude to all its celebrations. Around 5,000 devotees thronged the Hall of Great Compassion to participate in the ceremony conducted by the abbot, Venerable Kwang Sheng. It started with a session of ceremonial chanting before the Venerable lighted the first lotus candle. The flame was then transferred down the files of devotees in and around the courtyard. With thousands of flames flickering in an atmosphere of spectacular devotion, the scene looked truly magnificent when the devotees followed the Venerable to walk round the monastery compound in rhythmic recitation of the Buddha s name. They were then blessed the Venerable before they wrote their wishes on little cards and placed them on a man-made Bodhi tree. On the eve of Vesak, there was the mass ceremony of 3-steps-1- bow held on the road within the monastery. More than 30,000 people took part in this ceremony which was held throughout the eve of Vesak Day. There was also a remembrance corner set up on the first storey of the 10,000 Buddhas Pagoda for devotees to express their gratitude towards the founding pioneers of the nation. The Vesak Day itself was filled with a myriad of activities of devotion and fun. There were bathing of the Buddha, charity fair and Youth Café to showcase Buddhism, terrarium-making, street dances as well as sales of drinks with the proceeds donated to the visually handicapped organisation. The Family & Kids Corner in the Hall of No Form was packed with people of all ages. There were interesting performances on stage, such as Zen-drumming, Buddhist hymns singing, recitation of the Heart Sutra, storytelling, comedy, magic shows, family games, singing by Zhu Lin Temple s Youth and Children groups as well as from other organisations. In one corner of the hall, many children and their parents were seen sitting around, weaving different mandalas using colourful threads. However, amidst the hive of activities, there was a rather quiet but prominent area where electric lamps were offered to construct a huge SG 50 mandala on the floor, a timely reminder to devotees that this year s Vesak was celebrated in conjuction with the 50th anniversary of our nation building. 56
BW MONASTERY Auspicious Carnival BUDDHIST On May 30 and 31, BW Monastery held a grand carnival on the open field near Woodlands MRT station to celebrate Vesak 2559 and SG50. Over the two days, more than 30,000 people, young and old, members and non-members, came from all corners of the island to participate in its multifarious activities. They included Mr Heng Chee How, Senior Minister of State in the Prime Minister s Office, who came on the first day, and Mr Vikram Nair, MP for Sembawang GRC, who came on the second day. The gigantic tentage of the carnival was divided into three sections. At one extreme end of the devotional and exhibition section, three huge thangkas hung straight from the ceiling. This section was where offering of lamps were made, bathing of Prince Siddhartha conducted and an exhibition held on the significance of Vesak and BW Monastery. The middle section had a stage where performances were put on. It also accommodated many games stalls as well as a children s colouring corner. It was where all in the family had laughter and fun. And the most crowded was the food and bazaar section where one could find a great variety of delicacies for the taste buds and do bargain hunting for charity. Altogether, there were 35 food and 44 goods stalls. On the first day, 350 senior citizens were invited to partake in the carnival. They were treated to a sumptuous meal and entertained with stage performances and invited to play games. First Tonsure Ceremony the three newly ordained novices the monastic names of Ben Wen ( 本闻 ), Ben Si ( 本思 ) and Ben Xiu ( 本修 ). The ceremony started with Venerable Jing Yuan explaining the meaning of the Chinese word 出家 (renunciation) and highlighting that this word does not mean abandoning one s home, but rather, the three realms of existence, or in short, rebirth itself. He also pointed out that an ordained monk is someone who harbours big hopes and far-sight and who takes on a lifetime of study and practice of the Dharma and requites merits for his family and all sentient beings. On Vesak Day, BW Monastery held its very first tonsure ceremony for three members, Chen Yu Liang ( 陈玉亮 ), Pan Yao Chang ( 潘耀昌 ) and Li Jian Ci ( 李建慈 ) at the Arena Country Club in Upper Jurong Road. The one-hour stately ceremony, attended by 850 people including family members of the trio as well as MP for Ang Mo Kio GRC, Mr Yeo Guat Kwang. It was conducted by the abbot, Venerable Jing Yuan, who gave The three newly ordained, who were former students of Lamrim classes for more than ten years, are in deed not the first batch of monastics groomed by the monastery. Rather, over the last 18 years, more than twenty members of the monastery had taken up the robe in Taiwan and they are now studying and practising the Dharma there systematically. But these three newly ordained would, after their training, be expected to be permanently based at the new monastery building in Woodlands in two years time when it is completed. 57
BUDDHIST POH MING TSE TEMPLE Vesak Celebrations This year, PMT Temple celebrated Vesak over two days on 31 May and 1 June with a varied program of activities starting from Vesak eve at 7.30pm with the arrival of Venerable Miao Ren, who was the presiding monk for the occasion. That was followed by a Dharma sharing session by Bro. Zenon Teh who spoke in both English and Mandarin, followed by the recitation of the 88-Buddha Repentance Sutra and later by a light procession led by Venerable Miao Ren. At around 10pm, the drum and bell sounded to begin the ceremony of bathing Prince Siddhartha. Thereafter, participants queued up in front of a well-decorated basin to take turns to bathe a statue of the infant prince with fragrant water. On Vesak Day itself, a grand offering to the Buddha and Bodhisattvas was led by Venerable Kuan Jing at 10 am, followed by chanting, singing of hymns, circumambulation of the Buddha statue as well as the bathing of Prince Siddhartha. In the afternoon, PMT Musicians performed a medley of Buddhist songs to enliven the congregation. Soon after, Sis. Sylvia Bay launched and autographed her second book, Between the Lines: An Analytical Appreciation of the Buddha s Life Volume 2. An e-book version of her book is also available here:http://www.pmt.org.sg/activities-and-classes/ details.aspx?a=41 Book Launch less critical and sometimes even scientific when examining important events of the Buddha s life, very often, reading meanings from between the lines of the canonical texts. For instance, she surmised that Kanthaka, the horse that carried Prince Siddhartha on the night of his departure from Kapilavatthu, died of sheer exhaustion and not some psychological trauma, as traditionally ascribed, by estimating the distance of travel to Anoma river, where it finally stopped, to be between 66 km to 330 km. She even suspected that Prince Siddhartha was born prematurely in rain in Lumbini and that Queen Maya died of a traumatic, outdoor, unsanitary childbirth, contrary to the traditional belief that the mother and child were then blessed by heavenly beings. Sylvia Bay (right) autographing for reader Sylvia Bay launched her second blue-covered book, Between the Lines: An Analytical Appreciation of The Buddha s Life. Volume 2 on the auspicious day of Vesak. This new book is a sequel of her first book published a year ago. And Sylvia dedicates both books to the memory of her late father, Mr Bay Kwang Boo, whom she described as devoted to the Triple Gem to the last days of his life. In writing the two books, Sylvia set out to unveil the historical Buddha Gautama based on the Pali canonical texts as well as accurately reconstruct the Buddha s life story, from his birth to parinibbana, and the spread of the Dharma during his time, with a careful balance between logic and faith. However, as the title of the books suggests, she is no She also suspected that there were preposterous exaggerations about the physical appearance of the Buddha, such as the canonical descriptions of the Buddha standing and without bending, he can touch and rub his knees with either hand and that his tongue was so long that it could touch both ear holes and both nostrils and cover the whole of his forehead. She is not apologetic about this approach in writing her books, but instead, she hopes that the two volumes of her academic brainchild would encourage the reader to be more probing and thinking when reading Buddhist texts and stories. She believes this is perfectly consistent with the Buddha s philosophy of learning to not just accept teachings at face value but to ask questions, challenge assumptions and reflect critically. 58
CORRECTION Editor: In issue 314 of our magazine, we reported on Page 58 that Dot Connections Growth Centre has helped Singapore Buddhist Free Clinic in establishing the Serenity Corner, but we were informed later that this statement is incorrect. The fact is that DCGC did not in any way help SBFC in establishing the Serenity Corner. We hereby express our sincere apology to the two organisations concerned for the misinformation and any inconvenience caused. DOT CONNECTIONS GROWTH CENTRE Mental Health Symposium Depression is one of the biggest health challenges the world faces. And in an effort to bring about a greater awareness among members of the public about this mental health problem, DCGC will be organizing its first symposium on mental health on Aug 29 from 9.30am to 5pm at Chui Huay Lim Club. Four experts in the field of psychology will speak at the symposium. They are: Dr. Ong She Hong, senior consultant of psychological medicine at Khoo Teck Puat Hospital; Dr. Wong Mei Yin, principal psychologist of clinical services at NHG Polyclinics; Dr. Lim Kok Kwang, lecturer of psychology at James Cook University Singapore and Dr. Phang Cheng Kar, a consultant psychiatrist. They will adopt a multi-faceted approach in tackling depression and discuss related issues from the perspective of psychology, psychiatry and spirituality as well as provide practical ways for prevention and care. For more information on the symposium, call Sharon at 98115438. BUDDHIST UNION Guanyin Retreat BU will be holding a 4-day Guanyin Retreat conducted by Venerable Heng Sure, director of the Berkeley Buddhist Monastery, USA, from July 16-19 daily from 9am-5pm at Mandarin Hotel Ballrooms I & II. The retreat will have recitation of Great Compassion Repentance, Great Compassion Mantra and the name of Guanyin (Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva). During the retreat, participants will learn about the teachings of Guanyin, immerse themselves in the devotional and contemplative practice of recitation as well as cleanse their mind and calm their thoughts. For participation, call 62819776. Youth Concert BU will also hold a youth concert on July 19 at 1pm at Mandarin Hotel Imperial Ballroom. This musical show will convey Buddhist teachings to the audience through live skits, songs and dramatic acting with various musical instruments. Venerable Heng Sure will himself be leading the show with his guitar and wondrous voice. BUDDHIST LIBRARY Dhamma Day This day marks the event of the Buddha delivering his very first sermon to the five ascetic at the Deer Park. It is an occasion for us to reflect on the qualities of the Buddha as well as express our gratitude towards his teachings for freeing humanity from the bondage of samsaric suffering. On July 26, the library will be celebrating the event with a full-day program comprising offerings, chanting, donation of books or education materials, an English talk by Venerable Chuan Guan in the morning as well as screening of a movie, titled The Word of My Perfect Teacher, and a Mandarin talk by Venerable Wan Chin in the afternoon. For making offerings or for participation, call 67468435. POH MING TSE TEMPLE Chinese Buddhism Symposium PMTT will be organizing two full-day symposiums on Chinese Mahayana Buddhism, with the English one on July 11 and the Chinese one on July 12. The topics are: Introduction on Chinese Mahayana Buddhism A historical account; the Pureland School and the Sanlun Teachings. The speakers are: Dr Teng Wei Jen, associate professor of the Dharma Drum Institute of Liberal Arts, Taiwan; Venerable Shi Yanxu, abbot of Donglin Monastery where the Pureland School of Chinese Buddhism originated; Bro. Shen Shi an, a regular Dharma speaker and Bro. Siew Chong BUDDHIST Mun, an active Buddhist worker. For participation, call 64660785. BUDDHIST & PALI COLLEGE OF SINGAPORE Diploma In Buddhism The college will be running two oneyear diploma courses in Buddhism concurrently at Mangala Vihara Buddhist Temple and Poh Ming Tse Temple commencing on Oct 4. The diploma will be awarded by the Buddhist & Pali University of Sri Lanka and successful candidates will be eligible to enrol for BA degree programme in Buddhist Studies at the college. The curriculum of the course includes early Buddhism, Buddhist social dimensions, early history of Buddhism up to the 3rd century BC, geographical expansion of Theravada Buddhism and basic Pali language. Lessons will be held on Tuesdays and Sundays at MVBT as well as on Tuesdays and Fridays at PMTT. There will be a course review on July 11 or 18 at 2-4pm at MVBT. For enquiries, call 67444285. PHOR KARK SEE MONASTERY Relaxation & Mindfulness The abbot of the monastery, Venerable Kwang Sheng will be conducting a relaxation and mindfulness meditation course from July 13 to Oct 5. Sessions will be held every Monday at 7.30-9pm. Participation is by registration only. For enquiries, call 68495300. Venerable Kwang Sheng in his earlier years practised meditation in Myanmar, Japan, and later Korea, where he spent three years at Songgwangsa, a monastery well-known for its practice of Zen meditation. Happiness Quotient Workshop The monastery will be running a 4-session workshop on happiness quotient for those aged 50 and above on July 2, 9, 16 and 23 at 2-4pm. The workshop, conducted by Loh Yan Zhu and Chan Wai Ping, both qualified counsellors, will help participants better understand the origin of negative emotions, such as worries, anxieties, anger, disappointments and regrets, and view them in a more positive perspective and thereby create happiness. For participation, call 68495300. 59