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BUDDHIST NewsPALELAI BUDDHIST TEMPLE

In the month of August, Palelai Buddhist Temple celebrated SG 50 with a line-up of large-scale religious events that were held to transfer merits to participants and their families as well as to the nation and its leaders

Mass Ordination57 local men, with the oldest at age 75, took part in a mass novitiate programme that lasted from Aug 1 to 10. The ordi-nation ceremony was conducted in Mandarin and Hokkien by Venerable Chao Khun Dhammavidhesa (Venerable Ong Kah Keng), who is the first Singaporean monk to be con-ferred the title of ‘Chao Khun’ by the King of Thailand. The novices observed monastic rules, underwent intensive medi-tation training, studied the Dhamma and lived the life of a mendicant monk during the novitiate period.

The ordination started on Aug 1 afternoon with the tradi-tional hair-shaving held at the temple. On the following af-ternoon, the novices sought forgiveness from and presented flowers to their loved ones. Thereafter, they went to Tuas and boarded a chartered boat that brought them to the open sea. In the boat, they requested the monastic elders to ac-cept them into monkhood in a formal ceremony and then put on the saffron robe. On Aug 7, they were invited to Bud-dhist Fellowship West Centre for alms offerings. On Aug 8, they took part in an overnight chanting and meditation at the

temple to transfer merits to the nation and its late leaders, especially to the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew. And in the morning of Aug 9, they went on an alms-round in the compound of the temple receiving offerings from devotees.

Commemorative AmuletsThe temple also minted ten thousand pieces of specially de- signed Buddhist amulets with the marking of SG50. They were consecrated with blessings by monks during the over-night chanting and meditation and distributed to the partici-pants of the alms-round as well as to other devotees.

Commemorative Book On PBT In December, Palelai Buddhist Temple will publish a com-memorative book depicting its 50 years of history since its founding in 1963. It will record the significant events that had taken place at the temple over those years.

Ajahn Dtun’s Dhamma TalksAjahn Dtun will be coming to Singapore and residing at the temple from Nov 28 to 30. He will also be holding Dhamma talks and Q&A sessions for devotees. Born in Ayutthaya, the Venerable was ordained in 1978 under the late erudite Dhamma Master Ajahn Chah. Later, he learnt and practised Dhamma at Wat Krahm until 1984 when he went into seclu-sion. In 1992, he established Wat Boonyawad.

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Late Founder

The late Venerable MM Mahaweera (16 Jan 1913 - 12 Jun 2002) was born in Matara, Sri Lanka. At age 12, he was or-dained under Venerable P. Sumanasara. In 1929, he came for the first time to the Malay peninsula and stayed at the Brick-fields Temple in Kuala Lumpur. However, it was not until December 1934 that he set foot in Singapore with his preceptor and a fellow monk to embark on his missionary work. He first stayed at a 3-storey build-ing in Spottiswoode Park Road, and just before World War II, he founded the Sin-gapore Buddhist Association (SBA) and built the Singapore Sinhalese Temple (the building of which is still in existence) to accommodate a growing number of Sin-halese as well as Peranakan Chinese dev-otees. He also divided the Chinese group into the English and Pali Sections under SBA to cater to their different needs. Later, the English Section, headed by Tan Keng Lock (Venerable Dhammasukha), broke away and developed into the Bud-dhist Union as we know it today, while the Pali Section followed closely the late Venerable, and in the course of time, built Mangala Vihara. Thus, from this perspec-tive, the late Venerable had indeed played a pivotal role in the formation of three im-portant Buddhist temples in the last cen-tury. Besides, the late Venerable was the first Theravada monk to introduce a sys-tematic and structured Buddhist educa-tion in Singapore and he was also instru-

About Mangala ViharaWith a large marble Buddha statue un-der a luxuriant Bodhi tree and a typical Sanchi Gate at its entrance, Mangala Vihara (Temple of Blessings) stands as a prominent landmark at the junction of Sims Avenue East and Jalan Eunos. This modern-looking temple is certainly not the oldest Theravada temple in Singa-pore, but its founder, the late Venerable MM Mahaweera, was evidently the first Theravada monk who came to and resided permanently in this country. And with its long established Sunday Dhamma School and the associated Buddhist and Pali Col-lege of Singapore, the temple is no doubt the foremost Theravada educational es-tablishment on the island.

However, Mangala Vihara did not begin from where it now stands. It started out modestly as a congregation of mostly English-speaking Peranakan Chinese who formed the Pali Section of the Singapore Buddhist Association (predecessor of Singapore Sinhala Buddhist Association) which the late Venerable founded in late 1930s. That small group of devotees first assembled regularly at the Singapore Sin-halese Temple in Outram Road, and later moved to the much spacious Sri Lankara-maya Temple in St Michael’s Road, when it was completed in 1951. But soon after, they had to leave the new temple as its management committee decided to main-tain its distinct Sinhalese identity. As a result, they had to register and operate un-der Singapore Buddhist Pali Society and lease private premises to carry on their activities. A few years later, things took a turn for the better, they were generously gifted a piece of land in Jalan Eunos by the late Mdm Chew Quee Neo, daughter of Chew Joo Chiat, a rich merchant and landowner after whom Joo Chiat Road was named. And on it, they built the two-storey Mangala Vihara in 1960.

Then in 1983, a 3-storey annex building was added and subsequently in 1994, the original two-storey building was demolished and replaced with a new building housing a much bigger shrine hall to accommodate the growing con-gregation especially on festive occasions, as well as a basement carpark and more classrooms and facilities for conducting Dhamma lessons and other activities.

MANGALA VIHARA AN EVOLVING THERAVADA BUDDHIST TEMPLE

mental in setting up the Buddhist and Pali College of Singapore, which has greatly promoted Theravada Buddhist education here since 1993.

Start of the Evolving Process Under the spiritual guidance of the late Venerable, and even over the next few years after his demise, while under Ven-erable Dr. K. Sri Pemaloka and Vener-able Dr. I. Indasara, Mangala Vihara was viewed basically as a temple more inclined towards the Sinhalese Buddhist tradition and visited mainly by the English-speak-ing Chinese and some Sinhalese devotees. But this perception began to change after Venerable Cittara, a Burmese monk, who came to the temple in 2003, and subse-quently, more changes took place after he became the resident monk in 2008. Incumbent Resident Monk

Venerable Cittara was born in 1969 in Sagaing in central Myanmar and ordained at age 15 under Sayadaw U Vizaya. After completing his monastic training, he en-tered and later graduated from State Pri-yatti Sasana University in Mandalay. In 1997, he was sent to southern Myanmar to provide spiritual and welfare support for some 200 households. In 2000, he joined the Mahasantisukha Buddhist Missionary Centre in Yangon and was trained there for foreign missionary work until May 2003 when he came to the Burmese Tem-ple in Tai Gin Road, just before he was

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BUDDHIST Newsinvited to Mangala Vihara to assist the then resident monk Venerable Pemaloka. And while serving the temple, he studied and obtained an MA degree in Buddhism from the Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka.

Venerable Cittara has over the years in-fused Burmese Buddhist elements into the activities of the temple, for instance, with more emphasis on meditation and the teaching of Abhidhamma. Moreover, due to ethnic affinity, a growing number of Burmese devotees are attracted by him to the temple from around the island. Cur-rently, he conducts weekly Buddhist les-sons in Burmese, separately for around 60 children and 100 adults. Such are some of the noticeable changes in the temple that occurred since his arrival.

A spiritual adviser of NUS Buddhist So-ciety, the Venerable has been invited to conduct meditation courses for Buddhist societies at institutions of higher learn-ing as well as other Buddhist organisa-tions. Besides, he is an adept translator. His translation of a book by a very emi-nent Singapore leader is the best-seller in Myanmar and now in its eighth reprint. Another translation is also well under way of a popular book on conflict of cultures.

The Venerable Cittara is assisted in run-ning the religious and educational activi-ties of the temple by three other monks, two of whom from abroad and a local.

Foreign Assistant Monks

The two foreign assistant monks are Ven-erable P. Seelananda from Sri Lanka and Venerable Ashin Cakkapala from central Myanmar. They each hold a MA degree in Buddhist Studies from universities in Sri Lanka. So far, they have served the temple for six years and two years respectively.

Local Assistant MonkBorn a Singaporean, Venerable Raja started attending Mangala Vihara Sun-day Dhamma classes in 1988 and after completing the 5-year structured YMBA courses, he joined the teaching staff for ten years. During that time, he was also an active participant and helper in temple’s activities. In 2004, he went to Yangon Mahasi Meditation Centre to learn medi-tation and later sought ordination under his meditation teacher Sayadaw U Jatila.

He also learnt meditation under Sayadaw U Tejaniya at Shwe Oo Min Dhamma Sukha Forest Meditation Centre. After returning to Singapore, he stayed at the Satipatthana Meditation Centre for a few years, teaching meditation in Chinese. In 2009, he became an assistant resident monk at the temple.

Venerable Raja, being proficient in Eng-lish, Mandarin and dialects, adds Chinese tones to the ambience of the temple. He is the first monk to start conducting Thera-vada Buddhist Studies in Chinese based on the syllabus of YMBA in Colombo, Sri Lanka. A 4-year course with over 100 stu-dents is held every Friday night at 7.00-9.30pm. He also initiated the Sati Bhavana Group, which runs meditation courses in Mandarin and Hokkien. Apart from orga-nizing yearly retreats in the region, he also started the TBSC Spiritual Support Group networks which provide spiritual support services to the Buddhist communities in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Taiwan and New Zealand. Recently, he together with three others set up the Dhammakaki (Friends of Dhamma) Group where retir-ees and senior citizens could come togeth-er on Thursday afternoon to discuss issues of daily life and Buddhism in English, Mandarin and dialects. Moreover, to cre-ate a platform for local monks and nuns to share their Dhamma, he invites them to the temple every Wednesday to give talks in English, Chinese and dialects.

Sunday Dhamma School

The school was started by the late Vener-able Mahaweera in 1960 with 2 teaqchers and 5 classes. Its syllabus was set by the Young Men’s Buddhist Association in Co-lombo, Sri Lanka. The school has kinder-garten and lower preliminary classes for children aged 12 and below, youth classes for those between age 13 and 20 as well as classes for adults ranging from junior to diploma levels. All the classes are con-ducted free of charge, and notes and text-books are provided. The yearly examina-tions are held on the last Sunday of June. Currently, the school has an enrolment of

around 140 students including children and adults, and it functions from 9.30am to 12 noon every Sunday. Before lessons, all students are assembled in the shrine hall for a short puja and weekly instruc-tions, and after school, they are provided with a free vegetarian lunch.

Other ProgrammesApart from its formal and structured Sunday Dhamma School, Mangala Vi-hara also in 2009 formed Mangala Vi-hara Dhamma Fellowship (MVDF) which promotes bonding and interaction be-tween current and past students as well as conducts a wide variety of innovative spiritual, education, health, social and community outreach programmes. Their activities include Dhamma courses, talks and discussions, sutta study classes, med-itation sessions, paritta and blessings for the sick, Buddhist art drawing lessons, qi-gong, taiji, visits to holy places and chari-table homes, etc.

Management Committee Chairman The running of the temple is managed by a team of capable and dedicated commit-tee members headed by its chairman, Dr Lim Ah Swan.

Dr Lim, age 65, has retired, having worked in the financial industry all his working life. He came to Mangala Vihara in 1969 and attended its Sunday Dhamma School all the way until he obtained a di-ploma in Buddhism. He has served the management committee in various capac-ities in early years and was first elected its chairman in 1990. He has since played this vital role non-stop, making great contributions to the temple, the most out-standing of which were in the reconstruc-tion of the new shrine hall and in assisting the late Venerable in establishing the Bud-dhist and Pali College of Singapore. Dr Lim himself was in the first intake of the college and is among the only three PhD holders of the college graduates to date.

Ven. Seelananda (L) Ven. Cakkapala (R)

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Located within the premises of Mangala Vihara and currently run by its manage- ment committee, Buddhist and Pali Col- lege of Singapore was actually initiated in early 1990s by Ti-Sarana Buddhist Association which garnered the support of nine other Buddhist organisations. With their plans, they approached the late Venerable MM Mahaweera for his blessings and help which the late Vener- able gladly and readily rendered. Then, the Mangala Vihara management com-mittee headed by Dr Lim Ah Swan ap-plied to the Ministry of Education for a licence for the proposed college. A licence was finally granted with the col-lege being exempted from the require-ments of Education Act. And the first batch of 44 diploma students started their lessons in September 1993. Soon after, the late Venerable also applied to the Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka for an affiliation status and it was granted in 1994. The university to which the college is affiliated was formed in 1982. It is a Commonwealth university that not only promotes Bud-dhist and Pali studies in Sri Lanka and abroad but also provides resources and facilities for research in Buddhist stud-ies. Its degrees are internationally rec-ognized.

BPCS was set up with the mission of providing tertiary education in Bud-dhist studies leading to the award of Diploma, BA, MA and PhD degrees of the Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka. Keeing faithfully true to this mission, the college has to date produced 3 PhDs, 82 Masters, 25 BAs with Honours, 105 BAs and 359 Di-plomas as its achievement. Currently, it has 60 students in its diploma course, 40 students pursuing BA courses, 18 students pursuing Masters of Arts. The courses are conducted by a pool of 20 qualified lecturers led by the principal Venerable Dr P. Gnanarama and vice principal Venerable P. Seelananda, who are supported by occasional guest lec-turers from overseas. Practically all the lecturers are graduates of the college.

College PrincipalVenerable Dr P. Gnanarama has been the college principal since its incep-tion. Born in 1931 in Balapitiya in Sri Lanka, the Venerable graduated from

the University of Ceylon and later Uni-versity of London and he holds two post-graduate degrees from Sri Jay-awardhanapura University of Sri Lanka and University of Magadh of India. He is a well-acclaimed Buddhist scholar in the academic world with many English and Sinhala publications to his credit. Among them are: “An Approach to Buddhist Social Philosophy”, “The Mission Accomplished”, “Aspects of Early Buddhist Sociological Thought”, “Essential of Buddhism” and most re-cently, “Impressions and Reflections”.

Besides his distinguished academic accolades, the Venerable has also con-tributed immensely to several Buddhist groups. He has been the resident monk and chief religious advisor of Ti-Sarana Buddhist Association since 1993 and is the chief priest of Purvaramaya Temple in Sri Lanka.

Buddhist Impact After more than 20 years, BPCS is now feeling its impact on the local Buddhist community by seeing its graduates con-tributing actively in different ways. Its three PhD holders, Dr Lim Ah Swan, Dr Jenny Quek and Dr Atula Foo together with Ms Sylvia Bay and Dr Ng Yuen Yen are prominent examples. Dr Lim Ah Swan is the dedicated chairman of the management committee of Man-gala Vihara, who is constantly striving to ensure the temple remains relevant in today’s society. Dr Jenny Quek is

the untiring president of Shan You Counselling Centre, the first and only Buddhist-related counselling centre in Singapore which provides professional counselling and social services to low-income families, needy elderly and the disadvantaged, regardless of race and religion. Dr Atula Foo is presently run-ning regular courses on Buddhism at the Burmese Temple, while Ms Sylvia Bay and Dr Ng Yuen Yen are frequently seen giving Dharma talks at Buddhist groups, workshops and seminars. And Ms Syl-via Bay has also written a series of two books on the critical study of the life of the Buddha. Her work bears testimony to the rigour and depth of training she received at the college. Of course, there are many other graduates of the college who are enthusiastically sharing their Dhamma knowledge either at the col-lege itself, or Mangala Vihara Sunday Dhamma classes or elsewhere.

BPC Alumni Graduates of BPCS formed the Bud-dhist and Pali College Alumni in 2003 to bring together its more than 500 graduates. Currently helmed by Dr Jen-ny Quek, the BPCA conducts religious, social, recreational and educational ac-tivities for its members.

Reaching OutBPCS is now expanding beyond Man-gala Vihara and reaching out to the wider Buddhist community to share Thera-vada teachings. It will be conducting a one-year diploma course in Buddhism at Poh Ming Tse Temple commencing on 6 Oct. Lessons by qualified teachers will be held every Tuesday at 7.30-9.30pm and Friday at 7.00-10.00pm. Those who pass the diploma course are eligible to proceed for the 3-year BA degree course. For enquiries, call 67444285.

BUDDHIST AND PALI COLLEGE OF SINGAPORE

AN IMPACTFUL THERAVADA BUDDHIST INSTITUTION

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BUDDHIST YOUTH NETWORK

Bodhi Seed FundThis is a new initiative by BYN to finan-cially support young people to succeed beyond spiritual practice and to turn ideas of benefiting community or spiri-tual developments into realities. If you have any good project on mind, you may submit a proposal detailing your project, budget, deliverables and your/your team members’ biodata to byn@buddhisty-outh.sg by 30 Sept. Shortlisted appli-cants are required to attend an interview.

THE MAHAPRAJNA BUDDHIST SOCIETY

30th Anniversary CelebrationsFormed in Dec 1985 under the guid-ance of Venerable Hou Zhong, TMBS is now celebrating its 30th anniversary with a line-up of special activities. Ear-lier on May 1, the society had organised a walkathon at East Coast Park. On 22 Aug,they opened an exhibition at its library to showcase the evolution of its Dharma propagation media over the last 30 years. The exhibition is now open daily from 9am to 9pm and will last until 4 Sept. And on 28 Nov at 7pm, they will launch the 30th anniversary commemo-rative magazine together with two other

books, Abhidharmakosa Sastra and The Analects on Monastic. Moreover, they will also be launching their second CD of Buddhist songs on 5 Dec at 7pm. The lyrics of the songs were written by Ven-erable Hou Zhong with the music com-posed by a group of young musicians and the vocal presented by the Mahapra-jna Choir. 100 sets of the special edition of the CD, packed together with another CD of instrumental music in exquisite wooden case containing a pottery clay flower will be prepared for charity sale. All proceeds from the sale would go to the society’s donation fund. For more in-formation, call 6741 9414.

KWAN YIN CHAN LINZEN MEDITATION CENTRE

25th Anniversary CelebrationsKYCL Zen Meditation Centre will be celebrating its 25th anniversary with a multitude of activities including chant-ing, meditation, Dharma talks and a musical concert. From 23 to 25 Sept, the centre will conduct mass chanting of the Emperor Liang’s Repentance Text, along with Dharma talks by Master Dae Kwang, Master Ji Haeng, both from USA, Venerable Chi Boon and Vener-able Ji Zhong at the open field outside Aljunied MRT station. On 26 Sept, there will be a mass meditation session for

world peace, a vegetarian fair, as well as a festival dinner in the evening at the same venue. And on 27 Sept, the cen-tre will hold the International Zen Con-ference and Workshop at Suntec City Rooms 324-326 during the day and a musical concert at night with two mu-sicians from Japan, Tsuyoki Fukui and Yumi Ogawa, performing with Master Ji Haeng, as well as musicians from Music Tree of Poh Ming Tse Temple and KM-SPKS Zen Drum Ensemble. For more information, call 6392 0265.

PHOR KARK SEE MONASTERY

Meditation RetreatDr B. Alan Wallace will be running a 7-day non-residential meditation retreat, “The Way of Shamatha” from 26 Sep to 2 Oct. Lessons and practices will be conducted from 9.30 am - 5.00 pm daily. During the retreat, participants will ex-plore in theory and practice three meth-ods for developing shamatha (mind-fulness), the achievement of which is widely regarded as an indispensable foundation for the cultivation of con-templative insight (vipassana). Dr B. Alan Wallace, a scholar and practitioner of Buddhism, has taught Buddhism and meditation worldwide since 1976. For registration, call 6849 5300.

KARMA KAGYUD BUDDHIST CENTREUllambana Grand PujasFrom Aug 15 to 17, the abbot of KKBC and his retinue of lamas con-ducted full-day 100 Deities Jangchog Puja, Chod Puja, Shernying Dudog Puja and Peaceful Deities Fire Puja at the open field just outside Aljunied MRT station. The events were held to transfer merits to the departed as well as to raise funds for the centre’s cur-rent rebuilding project.

Through the prayers and rituals per-formed during the Jangchog Puja, the consciousness of the deceased was merged with the wisdom of the 100 Deities. The merits thus accumulated were then dedicated to the deceased for their purification and liberation. The Chod Puja eliminated illnesses and purified disturbances by evil spir-its, while the Shernying Dudog Puja

countered one’s negative karma and harms caused by humans and non- hu-mans and the Fire Puja helped one ac-cumulate merits and alter negative life forces that obstruct one’s liberation.

During the pujas, there were also a devotion corner for people to make offerings to the Buddha as well as a

remembrance corner for devotees to place tablets of their departed relatives to whom the merits from the pujas were transferred. On Aug 15 and 16, KKBC also organised a charity sales fair supported by a number of Bud-dhist groups, with all proceeds raised at the fair going to the building fund of the centre.

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