Do you remember our previous article on a Buddhist festival concerning clothing you might not have heard of?
Yes! The Kathina season is around the corner when lay people gather at temples to offer robes to the monastics as a gesture of generosity and gratitude. And if you didn’t know, the word “Kathina” has its origin in Pali referring to the wooden sewing frame once used to make robes for Buddhist monks.
This tradition has it that during Buddha’s time, a group of monks was on their way to meditate and practice with the Buddha. Unfortunately, the rainy season began and they stopped travelling to avoid stepping on newly planted crops or creatures escaping the heavy rain.
While waiting out the rainy season, they practised together in the ways taught by the Buddha. This austere practice and exposure to the elements made their robes dirty, wet, and torn.
After the rainy season, the monks finally met the Buddha. The Buddha greeted them, asked about their retreat and journey, and noticed their wet and torn robes.
The lady disciple of the Buddha, Visakha was also there visiting and listening to the Buddha. When she saw the monks in tattered and worn robes, she asked permission from the Buddha to offer new robes to the monks, and the Buddha granted her request.
Since then the Buddha granted the monks the opportunity to accept robes offered by donors during the one month from the middle of the Eleventh Lunar Month to the middle of the Twelfth Lunar Month.
The Kathina ceremony was thus born and is still practised today among many Theravada Buddhists. During this Kathina season, various events are held across the island to mark the joyous occasion. Do check them out below and “soak” in the atmosphere of this festival with a “rain-soaked” past!
(1) Singapore Buddhist Mission
The Kathina Ceremony organised by Singapore Buddhist Mission is a half-day programme that begins with a Kathina procession, followed by puja and chanting before devotees offer robes and requisites to the Maha Sangha. There will be a vegetarian lunch for devotees at the end of the programme.
When: 10 November 2024, 9am to lunch
Venue: 9 Ruby Lane, Singapore 328284
Want to find out more? Check out our listing event here!
(2) Dhammakami Buddhist Society
The Kathina Ceremony at Dhammakami Buddhist Society gives the opportunity to support the monks in Sri Lanka as all robes offered during the Ceremony will be donated to the monks’ training centres in Sri Lanka. There will also be chanting of the Triple Gem during the half-day session.
Want to find out more? Check out our listing event here!
(3) The Buddhist Library
At the Buddhist Library, the Kathina tradition is also observed and kept alive at one of their annual events. Apart from the commonly offered robes to monks, the Buddhist Library has also introduced the innovative practice of offering books during Kathina to give added meaning to this event observed at the Buddhist Library!
Want to find out more? Check out our listing event here!
(4) Wat Ananda
The oldest Thai Theravada temple in Singapore, Wat Ananda invites devotees to offer robes and candles to the monastics. There will be live-streaming of chanting every evening from now until the actual Kathina ceremony on 20 Oct.
When: 20 Oct 2024 (Sunday), 9.30am
Venue: 50B Jalan Bukit Merah, Singapore 169545
Want to find out more? Check out our listing event here!
(5) Burmese Buddhist Temple
Experience Kathina at a Burmese temple, the oldest Theravada tradition temple and the only Burmese temple of its kind in Singapore! The Burmese Buddhist Temple, founded in 1875, began its journey as a small temple on Kinta Road. It gradually gained prominence and relocated from its original site and since 1990, the current temple has been a place of worship and learning for both locals and Burmese people living in Singapore.
When: 27 Oct 2024, 9am to 6pm
Venue: 14 Tai Gin Road, Singapore 327873
Want to find out more? Check out our listing event here!
To explore other events, activities, communities and temples in Singapore and Southeast Asia, you can also look up our very own Handful of Leaves’ Buddhist Directory!
TLDR: Some of us take to meditation like fish to water and, at some stage, want to further stretch that mindfulness muscle through formal instruction, an extended retreat, and group practice. This article contains a list of short meditation retreat options (a day or less) for anyone looking to explore their practice or to find a meditation community.
Before we go on – if you’re a beginner to meditation who is figuring out questions such as ‘Why meditate?’, and ‘What is Buddhist meditation?’ – we have the perfect article for you! Meditation 101 contains a toolkit of FAQs, apps, and other resources that are tailored to someone just starting out on their meditation journey!
For those with meditation experience, we’d like to offer a reflection by ‘Yellow Pages Monk’ Ajahn Jayasaro:
“Why meditate? In fact, other questions should precede this one. Why take refuge in the Triple Gem in the first place? If one has true faith in the wisdom and compassion of the Buddha, what choice is there other than to follow the path that he revealed to us?
The Buddha taught the best way to live our lives as human beings. The teachings are a call to action, not inaction….”
1. JOYFUL GARDEN SANGHA: DAY OF MINDFULNESS (Last Sunday of each month, 10am – 4pm, Open to all)
Image: Google
About Day of Mindfulness by Joyful Garden Sangha
Day of Mindfulness (DOM) is a mini mindfulness retreat in the tradition of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh and Plum Village, facilitated by Joyful Garden Community of Mindful Living (Joyful Garden Sangha). It is organised usually on the last Sunday of each month. Occasionally Joyful Garden Sangha may host special events and practices too.
When an event is scheduled and open for registration, you will see it on this page. You can also join their mailing list, or follow on Facebook to be notified. Seats are filled rather quickly.
What to expect
The practice of moment-to-moment awareness in a group setting. Discover how the application of mindfulness to eating, moving, singing, listening, and more, could transform your everyday experience.
What to pack
A vegan lunch of your own, and a jacket or scarf in case it gets cold for you.
2. DAYWA: DAY OF PRACTICE A.K.A DOPE (First Saturday afternoon of each month – Open to Commune Members only)
Photo: DAYWA
About Day of Practice (DOPE) by DAYWA
The DOPE retreat format was created by organisers behind the Dhamma Assembly for Young Working Adults (DAYWA), in order to give its members a taste of what a formal retreat could be like. The retreat format adopts many practices from the Thai Forest tradition and also encourages sharing and learning between practitioners from the various Buddhist traditions.
Recommended for: Meditators interested to explore the Thai Forest practice, and to connect with other youthful practitioners.
How to register
This event is open to those in the DAYWA Commune Members only i.e. you will need to have attended at least 3 DAYWA events in a year, to join the Commune and sign up for DOPE practice.
What to expect
Chanting in Pali, reading and discussion of Early Buddhist Texts, guided and non-guided sitting meditation practice.
What to pack
Bring your own meditation cushion if you would prefer to use that. Lunch is usually organised before the practice commences, it would be optional to join for that.
3. BUDDHIST FELLOWSHIP: MEDITATION TEACHINGS AND EVENTS (Monthly line-up)
Image: Buddhist Fellowship Website
About meditation teachings at Buddhist Fellowship (BF)
Buddhist Fellowship’s (BF) weekly Sunday Services regularly feature meditation as part of its programme, often in the Theravadin traditions and with reference to early Buddhist texts such as the Annapannasati Sutta. BF also organises meditation courses and retreats with visiting monastics from time to time, so do look out for that.
Recommended for: Meditators looking to explore Theravadin traditions and early Buddhist texts.
How to register
Stay tuned to Buddhist Fellowship’s social media, such as Facebook and Telegram, for announcements.
What to expect
Experienced monastics and lay practitioners sharing their own practice and offering guided meditation experiences.
Palelai Buddhist Temple’s resident monastic community (Sangha) leads two meditation sessions on a daily basis at the Meditation Hall on the 3rd floor of the main Chedi building (go up the staircase from the central Arahants’ Hall).
Recommended for: Meditators who are familiar with Thai Forest practices.
How to register
No need to register.
What to expect
No instructions are provided, meditators of all levels are welcome to join the sit quietly behind the Sangha. A short blessing will be given at the end of the session.
What to pack
Simply bring yourself, with an open heart and mind.
5. DHARMA DRUM SINGAPORE: MEDITATION GROUP PRACTICE (Weekly, Wednesdays & Sundays)
Image: Dhamma Drum Singapore
About meditation group practice at Dharma Drum Singapore
Dharma Drum Singapore (DDS) promotes Chinese Chan Dharma Drum Buddhism based on the principles and methods of Dharma Drum Mountain founded by Master Sheng Yen. DDS regularly offers meditation group practice on Wednesdays evenings (7.30pm – 9.30pm) and Sunday mornings (9.30am – 12.00pm) that are open to the public, and conducted in Mandarin Chinese instruction.
Recommended for meditators who are interested in Chinese Buddhism and detailed meditation instruction.
How to register
Registration for each practice session opens 1 week before. Dharma Drum Singapore uses the Eventbrite system. If you use the Eventbrite App on your phone, registration will be easier and faster.
Please find on this page the link to register for the specific session that you are attending.
Please do not attend the session if you are feeling unwell. If you are unable to attend, you can also cancel your Eventbrite order to make room for others.
Simply bring yourself, with an open heart and mind.
6. KONG MENG SAN PHOR KARK SEE A.K.A. BRIGHT HILL TEMPLE: SHORT-TERM TEMPLE STAY, SELF PRACTICE, MEDITATION COURSES (Short-term temple stay available to Males only)
Image: Forum Architect which designed the new meditation hall
About short-term temple stays at Kong Meng San Phor Kark See
Amid the chaos of today’s hectic pace, have you taken a moment to calm your inner thoughts? If you desire a deeper understanding of yourself and wish to embark on a journey of self-discovery, consider immersing yourself in a short-term temple stay at Kong Meng San Phor Kark See a.k.a Bright Hill Temple. This allows you to embrace a peaceful, detached lifestyle, allowing yourself to explore the deep corners of your mind.
Recommended for: Meditators of all levels, given the variety of formats.
How to register
For self practice at the Prajna Meditation Hall, there is no need to register.
For Relaxation & Mindfulness Meditation courses, please follow the page or write in to:
For short-term temple retreats, these are open to healthy Singapore male citizens, between the ages of 17 and 60, that are able to commit to at least one month to a year of retreat. Detailed application instructions here.
What to expect
Kong Meng San Por Khark See Monastery offers a zen and peaceful environment to deepen your cultivation.
The short-term temple stay programme is currently being refined – enquire via email to find out more.
The Relaxation & Mindfulness Meditation courses are a helpful introduction to body scan relaxation techniques. You may access a preview of the type of guided meditation provided by Venerable Kwang Sheng here.
What to pack
A jacket or shawl, as one may find the air conditioning strong at certain venues in the monastery.
7. ONLINE RETREATS & OTHER RESOURCES
In the post-Covid era, online retreats have become a popular option offered by local and overseas monasteries, who have adapted their technology to broadcast teachings and retreat instructions.
Here are some online channels which you may be interested to follow to find out more:
As our list of retreat options is non-exhaustive, for each Buddhist tradition and/or temple that you feel drawn to, it is a good idea to check out their website and/or social media to find out if they are offering formal instruction or group practice settings.
Editor’s note: Special thanks to Jom, an independent journal website that has allowed us to republish this article. The original piece can be found here. This article has been further edited to follow HOL’s standards. This is a two-part article series on Marissa’s journey through the Buddhist scene in Singapore. Read part I here.
TLDR: Marissa explores Bedok & the mettaverse hidden gems where peace is often hidden amongst these bustling areas of Singapore.
3. Simpang Bedok
Having been raised Catholic, I was surprised to learn that Buddhists are not required to visit temples for worship. If however, a visit is paid, intention and clarity of purpose is more important than blind piety.
In both the Mahāyāna and Theravāda traditions, dāna (generosity in Pali) is the first in the list of pāramī (perfections) that beginners are taught to cultivate. You can’t learn to meditate without first learning how to let go. And how can you let go if you don’t learn how to give? This was the premise for my first visit to Palelai, a Theravāda temple on top of a hill in Simpang Bedok. I offered Yakult to the monks and made a mental note to arrive earlier next time, to give my mind time to really settle into the giving, instead of worrying about being late.
Afterwards, I stood in the shade of a bodhi tree as my friend, Kweh Soon Han, told me the story behind the four-faced brahmā statue that gleamed golden in the sun. Brahmās, I learnt, dwell in a subtle realm hidden from the sensual plane.
Some call them gods. The four faces reflect the fact that a brahmā’s mind knows only four sublime states: loving-kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy and equanimity. Brahmās are incapable of evil.
Four-faced brahmā statue at Palelai in Simpang Bedok.
The most famous brahmā is Sahampati, who in a past life was friends with the man who would become Buddha, when they were both training as monks. After this man got enlightened, he very nearly stayed a silent Buddha, for he perceived that the path was too difficult to teach.
Luckily, Sahampati knew the Buddha’s mind. On bended knee, he invited Buddha to teach the Dhamma, out of compassion. “So,” Mr Kweh finished, “you can say, ‘Thank god for Buddhism.’”
Mr Kweh often worried about Buddhism losing ground with younger Singaporeans, so he took care to be my guide. Indeed, Buddhism in Singapore is so entwined with folkways and superstition that its essence is easily hidden from view. The nontheistic Buddhist worldview syncretised famously well with other Asian religions, so confusion may also arise when images of Guan Yin—the bodhisattva of Chinese Buddhist cosmology who hears the cries of the world (“观世音”)—are spotted alongside those of Confucius and Taoist deities in Taoist temples and shrines.
Finally, it doesn’t help that those Buddhists who have had a glimpse of nirvana tend to be low-key, preferring solitude.
I used to attend a Friday night meditation class at Palelai where I was one of just three students. But we spoke freely with Bhante Varañāṇo, a teacher who answered all our questions skilfully, and it felt like everyone was there for the right reasons. The challenge for many temples here is how to create an environment conducive to meditators in a place like Singapore, where the grating details of urban living are always just round the corner.
During a recent retreat at Palelai, an elderly monk was leading us in qigong outdoors. Perhaps 80 of us, young and old, were hanging loose and opening our meridians when a mechanical hum closed in and thick chemical clouds descended from the narrow drain that separates the Palelai garden from the houses above. We were all fogged, together with the mosquitoes.
On the whole though, Singapore is not a bad place to practise.
When many are gathered with the right intentions, the quality of light that defines Palelai can swell into something quite palpable. Like on nights when public talks are held in the semi-outdoors, and everyone sits silently in rows on the long reed mats, listening. Really. Listening.
4. Into the Mettāverse
I used to tell people that I started meditating as a way to deal with the pandemic’s restrictions: “You can’t travel outward, but you can travel inward.”
Now, post pandemic, I’ve come to enjoy spending entire weekends at home, just sitting and reading, toggling between interoception and introspection.
I’m not a skilful meditator, so I get stuck in my practice every now and then. When that happens, I try to use the flavours of different emotions to compose or energise my mind as I go along. Sadness is particularly useful. When you are desperately sad, the urge to be emptied of yourself should arise like a reflex. Misery is more humbling than joy in this way. But once the doors of perception have been opened a crack, it is laughter and gratitude that have the power to change your mind.
At least, that’s what I experienced. I was sitting alone one day when my mind drifted to a funny moment from earlier that morning.
I laughed at the memory and felt gratefulness welling up in me, and tears. I reflected on the joy of having friends who are so dear, and I could feel my heart fill up like a special kind of vase, brimming with contentment that seemed to come with a knowing that if I let it spill out, more would fill its place. That gave me the energy to keep sitting.
When I tell my friends about going to Buddhist meditation retreats, I sometimes get sceptical, even worried reactions. This is natural. We live in a troubled world where cynicism has become an important defence. Religion is also a sensitive subject. But meditation is not an inherently religious activity. Anything can be an object of meditation—a Bible verse, a candle flame, the breath, body sensations.
Many Buddhists like to meditate on mettā (loving-kindness). In mettā meditation, you basically focus on what goodwill feels like, and then try to direct that goodwill to everyone, unconditionally.
It is not difficult to feel goodwill towards those who are dear to you, or even to strangers—but try radiating loving-kindness to people you dislike. It’s impossible unless you learn to let go of self-absorption. One way to do this is to try and notice thoughts and habits as they arise, in order to step back from them.
So you could say that meditation, and the troubleshooting that’s required to get into deep meditations, is really a scientific inquiry. It is about knowing your mind. In Buddhist circles, this isn’t called spirituality. It’s called reality. Many people practise meditation without Buddhism—it was trending in South Asia long before Buddha was born (in the 6th century BC). But for me, Buddhist wisdom and meditation go together because my intention is to see things as they really are. And the more I sit, speak with or read about people who meditate, the more it becomes clear to me that the gross reality that our minds experience cannot be the ultimate reality.
But for now I am still puttering about on a small island, trying not to get too caught up in the names and occupations that we recognise for expediency in a language that comes from one way of seeing things. I wonder if the biggest enemy of Buddhism is not any other religion, but rather, materialism and wanton consumption, narrow-minded capricious living.
It recently occurred to me—and then only because someone mentioned the word—that I haven’t been bored in a long time. I’ve stopped using Netflix or YouTube as opiates, and I don’t need alcohol to help me scatter my aversion towards this hot, dense city.
Maybe this is what it feels like to have found a dependable worldview. It’s a thought that makes me feel glad and silly at the same time. Two years ago, I would never have guessed that the nearest thing to magic in my life—the magic of a world within a world—would unfold right here between the charmless slabs of office towers and malls.
Editor’s note: Special thanks to Jom, an independent journal website that has allowed us to republish this article. The original piece can be found here. This article has been further edited to follow HOL’s standards.
TLDR: Marissa explores Paya Lebar & Geylang’s hidden gems where peace is often hidden amongst these bustling areas of Singapore.
1. Paya Lebar
The story of how my mind changed begins in 2021. Almost 30, I was bummed to still be living with my parents but too prudent to rent a room of my own. I was anxious to make meaning out of my life, but unsure who I wanted to be except in relation to someone else. I had fixed ideas about love, duty and reasonable behaviour, which were frequently deflated.
It was the middle of the pandemic, when many were most vulnerable to the blues, and I was open to mellow pursuits that could help time go by more quickly. One day, recalling an earlier conversation I’d had with a friend, I asked her where I could go for free group meditation classes. Just like that, I fell into a routine.
There was nothing obviously special about the place, but I found that I liked being around women who speak softly and smile with crinkles lining their eyes.
Dharma Drum Meditation Main Hall
At the end of my second class, I was wiping down someone’s mat when a lady leaned in gently and smiled: “Thank you.” She took me by surprise; it felt like evening sunshine after a long day indoors.
It made me realise how fulfilling it can be to just slow down once in a while to make an offering to others of one’s warmth and serenity. To put them at ease. So I followed the sign.
As part of the routine at Dharma Drum, we would also dedicate our practice. My Mandarin was never any good, so I just mouthed the words they flashed on the screen without knowing what they meant. I later discovered that I had been vowing to help all sentient beings attain enlightenment (“众生无边誓愿度”).
How to keep this promise? I panicked. Then I relaxed. A key teaching in Buddhism is that all birth is rebirth. We have been and will be here for longer than we know. I have all the time in the world to keep my vows. But I was also curious to know more about this different way of moving through time.
2. Geylang
Chinese New Year, 2022. I was restless for an excursion. I’d recently heard of the Buddhist Library, situated in a Geylang shophouse. Being alone inside the walls of books made me feel spacious and at home.
Although Geylang tends to evoke vice and not virtue, more religious communities are clustered there than anywhere else in Singapore. This is partly by design. In 1992, some 50 hectares of the neighbourhood were rezoned so that clan associations, political parties and other civic and cultural groups could benefit from the lower rents.
Vegetarian joints and Buddhist general merchandise stores flourished alongside each other. Many know Geylang as a garden of earthly delights. Few know it’s also Singapore’s enlightenment hub.
As the days of the new year passed, I kept going back to the Buddhist Library for my dose of old world wisdom. Travellers’ tales of India and Tibet, essays by Chinese and Japanese Zen practitioners, biographies of Thai forest monks, and rare gems like Ian Stevenson’s meticulous case reports of children who can remember their past lives.
All three major Buddhist traditions—Theravāda, Mahāyāna and Vajrayāna—coexist on the shelves of the library and in the streets outside. (Some 31 percent of Singaporeans identify as Buddhist, a plurality; and over 18 percent as Christian, the next biggest group.) Each recognises the same truths about the harmful nature of the worldly life. Where they differ is in the practice of various paths to liberation.
The Theravāda path, the “way of the elders”, is the oldest of the three. It is focused on the teachings of the historical Buddha in India, and has spread southeast to thrive in Thailand, Sri Lanka and Myanmar.
Mahāyāna, the “great vehicle”, is the path followed by the majority of Buddhists in East Asia and Singapore. They recognise a larger pantheon of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas who can be called on for support. Tibetan Buddhism is a form of Vajrayāna, the “diamond vehicle”, which evolved from Mahāyāna and absorbed practices from ancient Indian tantric texts.
Ajahn Kalyano giving a talk at Nibbana Dhamma Rakkha in Geylang. This and next photograph courtesy of Goh Kuan Seng
Two streets east of the Buddhist Library is a building where visiting monks are often invited to give public talks. One evening, at the end of the Hungry Ghost Festival, a Buddhist abbot was no more than 10 minutes into his discourse on mindfulness when a roar rose up from three floors below.
“HUAT ah! HUAT ah! HUAT ah,” senior citizens yowled, reaching across their banquet tables and stabbing with their chopsticks.
“Everything changes,” the abbot said, pausing to observe this feature of reality. By the end of his talk, the party was in full swing. Karaoke rattled the doors of our elevator when it opened onto the first floor courtyard. A trembling old man was belting out in Hokkien: “Wa meng ti, wa meng ti…” (“I ask the heavens, I ask the heavens…”)
In the park behind, a bonfire was leaping two storeys high at least, as other folks burnt offerings to the departed inside a circle of red candles. In Buddhism, simplicity and wisdom is encouraged. Burning of “hell money”—a Chinese folk custom—is unnecessary because what is burnt here cannot materialise anywhere else. It only turns to ash.
Yet here we all were, in the riot of contrasts called Geylang—creatures of different minds crammed into one corner block by the invisible hand of the free market to act out our conditioning, side by side. Not every scene however dissolves easily in laughter. Worldly amusements are often brittle, like the pair of caged toucans in the beer garden of Happy Seafood Village where the house special is a flaming volcano chicken.
The world is a hot mess. But we already knew that. Buddhist practice is about relating to your environment skilfully, without getting caught up in notions of right and wrong. Without losing balance. Did you know that perfectly enlightened beings cannot feel anger? A thought occurred to me as I left the Buddhist Library one night—even if I go nowhere in my meditation, I must try to be the place where ill will ends.
The journey continues in Part II publishing this friday.
As February unfolds, you might find yourself pondering how best to invest the rest of your year meaningfully. If you thrive on structure and routine to maintain discipline, why not consider enrolling in a course to deepen your understanding and practice of Buddhism?
With options available across Singapore and online, there’s a course to fit your schedule and preferences. It’s never too late to invest in personal development!
Here are 6 comprehensive Buddhist courses in Singapore currently open for registration:
Note: The following is not ranked in any particular order.
1. Introduction to Buddhism Course by Buddhist and Pali College of Singapore (BPC)
Are you familiar with the core teachings of Buddhism? If not, this course might be perfect for you! Tailored for beginners with minimal or no prior knowledge, it serves as an excellent introduction to Buddhism
Affiliated with the Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka, BPC has a track record of nurturing Buddhist scholars and is now in its 26th year of offering this program. Graduates have the option to further their studies in Buddhism by enrolling in the Diploma in Buddhism course.
By the course’s conclusion, you’ll confidently articulate core teachings, such as The 3 Characteristics of Existence, The 4 Noble Truths, and the Noble 8 Fold Path, while gaining insights into Rebirth, Karma, and the significance of Buddhist rituals and meditation practices. Next time your friend asks about Buddhism, you’ll be ready to provide accurate insights.
🗓️ When: 28 Feb to 15 May (Every Wednesday, 7.30pm – 9.30pm)
🎓Great for: Beginners seeking fundamental knowledge about Buddhism 💲Price: By donation
📍Location: Mangala Vihara Buddhist Temple (near Eunos MRT)
2. Meditation and Dhamma Class at Buddhist Library (Singapore)
Looking for a blend of meditation practice and learning new knowledge? The Buddhist Library‘s popular program might be just what you need. Led by seasoned mentors, Sis Foo Siew Fong, Sis Foo Siew Ee, Sis Tan Sock Hoon and Bro Tan Chau Yee, this intake focuses on deepening your understanding of the topic “Kamma.”
Each session offers a holistic experience, including homage to the Triple Gems, guided meditation, insightful Dhamma bites, engaging Q&A, and a second guided meditation session.
This course is designed for individuals with prior meditation experience and a basic understanding of Buddhism. Don’t worry if you lack these prerequisites; mentors will offer personalised guidance during the initial 2-3 sessions in a separate classroom.
Compared to others on this list, this course has a relatively shorter duration. If you’re seeking a balanced blend of practical application and theoretical understanding, this program is an excellent choice!
🗓️ When: 24 Feb – 4 May (Every Sat, 2.30-4.30PM)
🎓 Great for: Beginners and seasoned practitioners
💲Price: Free
📍Location: The Buddhist Library, No.2, Geylang Lorong 24A Singapore 398526
3. Dhamma Foundation Course 1: The Fulfilling Lay Life at Buddhist Fellowship Singapore
Tired of uninspiring lectures?
Dhamma Foundation Course 1 (DFC1) offers a refreshing alternative. Guided by esteemed Buddhist teachers, Sister Sylvia Bay and Brother Chye Chye, this program transcends traditional teaching methods. Participants gain practical insights to integrate Buddhist teachings into their daily lives, fostering joy and fulfillment.
The course’s standout feature is its interactive and practical approach. Engage in lively discussions, explore diverse viewpoints, and reassess your life’s direction. Grounded in the Buddhist Pali Canon, you’ll delve into timeless wisdom.
After completing the course, there’s also the option to delve deeper with Dhamma Foundation Course 2, starting after Vesak 2024. Psss…Seats usually fill up fast for this. Grab them before they’re gone.
🗓️ When: Every Sat, 2 Mar to 11 May, 2pm – 5pm
🎓Great for: Those seeking to apply Buddhist teachings to their daily lives while deepening sutta knowledge.
💲Price: Free (Suggested administration fee of $30)
4. A 3 Year Buddhism Course (In English) at KMSPKS Monastery
Looking to commit to learning throughout the year? Look no further.
With three terms, each comprising nine lessons, this course stands as the most comprehensive Buddhist program on our list. Set within the serene surroundings of Bishan, you’ll have the opportunity to study in one of Singapore’s largest Buddhist monasteries.
Throughout the course, you’ll delve into a wide array of topics, including the life of the Buddha, Buddhist observances, the Three Refuges, the Five Precepts, the Eight Precepts, the Ten Wholesome Actions, the Four Noble Truths, the Eightfold Path, and the Sigalovada Sutta.
🗓️ When: 28 Feb to 6 Nov 2024 (Wed, 7.30pm to 9pm)
🎓 Great for: Deepening understanding of Buddhism
💲Price: $110 per course year
📍Location: Venerable Hong Choon Memorial Hall, Level 1 @ Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery, 88 Bright Hill Road, Singapore 574117
5. Introduction to Buddhist Fundamentals by Dot Connections
This is the only option on the list that is held online! So if you’re a busy bee but would still like to dedicate yourself to learning the basics of Buddhism, this is for you.
The comprehensive course with 12 lessons is designed for beginners to explore the life of the Buddha, delve into the core teachings, and different Buddhist traditions and ponder the relevance of Buddhism today. By the end, you’ll be equipped with the basic Buddhist knowledge required to pursue a Diploma in Buddhist Psychotherapy and Counselling course.
🗓️ When: May 3 to Jul 19
Online Orientation on Sat April 27 (2 to 4 pm)
course closure on Jul 27 (2 to 4 pm)
🎓 Great for: Participants with limited prior knowledge of Buddhism
6. Discovering Buddhism at Amitabha Buddhist Centre (ABC)
Seeking a modular learning experience?
This 14-module course offers a profound exploration of Tibetan Mahayana Buddhism’s teachings, and is anchored in the profound Stages of the Path (Lamrim) teachings.
Preceded by two successful editions of Introduction to Discovering Buddhism at ABC in 2022 and 2023, each module delves deep into key themes like Mind and Its Potential, The Spiritual Teacher, Karma, and more. With each module spanning 4 to 6 sessions, participants gain a solid understanding. The program adopts a flexible, modular format, allowing individuals to enroll in specific modules without prerequisites
Modules 4 and 5—‘The Spiritual Teacher’ and ‘Kamma and Rebirth’—are currently available for registration. Led by FPMT-Registered Teachers, Bro Benny Law and Sis Koh Guat Cheng, you’ll delve into the pivotal role of the spiritual teacher and the dynamics of the teacher-student relationship. Additionally, you’ll explore the profound concepts of death and rebirth, learning how these impact our existence and guide us in fulfilling our life’s purpose.
🗓️ When:
Module 4-5: 2 Mar – 27 Apr 2024
Thursdays: 7.30pm – 9.30pm,
Saturdays: 10am to 12pm
🎓 Great for: Deepening understanding of Tibetan Mahayana Buddhism
💲Price: N/A
📍Location: Amitabha Buddhist Centre 44 Lorong 25A Geylang Singapore 388244
Understanding the teachings of Buddhism transcends intellectual curiosity; it serves as a profound pathway towards personal transformation and the attainment of inner peace. May you find the mental strength and energy to not only absorb these teachings but also to actively integrate them into your daily lives. Through mindful application and sincere practice, may the wisdom gleaned from Buddhism illuminate your path, guiding you towards greater clarity, compassion, and fulfilment in every day of your life.
TLDR: What do we do when a loved one passes on? Being in a situation where not everything can be Googled, Fang Huey reflects on her experience as she navigates her way through grief.
We are all so familiar with birth, ageing, sickness and death. However, when our loved ones pass on, we are often caught off guard and most of us do not know how to handle grief. Is grief really the price we pay for love?
The days leading up to my PoPo’s (Grandma’s) passing were undeniably tough.
From the day PoPo was warded, many scans and treatments ensued, until she could no longer be treated and was terminally discharged.
“Stage 4 cancer? I do not know how to feel about the possibility of my grandma passing on. How do I prepare myself for death? What do I expect? I do not know.” – 8 February 2021 (An extract from my diary)
It was heartbreaking to witness PoPo’s health deteriorate rapidly within such a short span of time.
The day I dreaded most arrived.
The doctor informed us to prepare for the worst while they were carrying out resuscitation efforts.
It was a familiar scene in movies but having to experience that scene myself was hard to process. A sudden realisation hit me that such a close family member would soon be gone permanently from our lives.
I reached out to my Puja (chanting) book to chant and share merits with PoPo. A few pages later, I couldn’t continue even though I was very familiar with the verses.
Everything became blurry. I felt lost, uncertain and panicky.
What should I do? I was helpless.
Everything happened so quickly and PoPo left us a month after being diagnosed.
Reflecting back on the journey, the following snippets of Dhamma recollection resonated with me.
Grief hurts
After the funeral, I snapped back to reality and took time to process my emotions. Everything felt just like a dream.
No matter how much I tried to occupy myself with schoolwork and return to ‘normalcy’, I still found myself missing PoPo, spending nights scrolling through photos of her.
A week after PoPo’s passing, a neighbour asked, “Are you going to PoPo’s house?”
She might just be striking up a casual conversation but I was jolted towards my loss and that I could no longer accompany or chat with PoPo.
Rings of a bicycle bell would remind me of PoPo coming to my house. I couldn’t help but check the gates during the initial days of grief like responding to Pavlovian conditioning.
Tears welled up in my eyes when I realised that I would never find PoPo at my gate on her small bike anymore. I felt my heart numb by pain once again.
There is so much sorrow in knowing that PoPo would not be here with us anymore. The regrets of not spending more time with her surfaced time after time; I only have memories to look back on.
I felt terrible. I turned to Google to search about losing a loved one and whether I would feel better.
There were sharings from others who have lost their loved ones, but I was unable to find one that satisfied me. On the contrary, reading the articles made me sadder and amplified my loss from resonating with what they have gone through.
Instead, I had to turn back towards the Dhamma for guidance.
We are fast to cling to what brings us happiness; we try to get rid of the unpleasant feelings and desire to return to the past when our loved one was still with us.
I craved PoPo’s presence, company and care for me. But I couldn’t find them back anymore. It is hard to accept the hard truth.
Her keys, flowers at her windows, soya milk, and many things that I see and hear kept reminding me of her absence. The traces she left behind were everywhere.
There are many changes I have to deal with. It felt strange; I felt a great loss and a void inside me.
I wanted PoPo back and for things to be back to normal again, but this wish can never be fulfilled and it causes my suffering.
Although it has been over half a year since PoPo passed, grief and sadness still arise at times.
With time, I learnt how to cope with these feelings betters, by understanding suffering and attachment. I also allow these feelings to exist and naturally fade away with time.
Over time, we also started realising and appreciating the good PoPo has done more and more. I remember PoPo for the generosity and kindness that she has for people around her. I aspire to be as giving and understanding as her, by incorporating these little acts of kindness into my life.
Looking back, I am glad that I turned back to the Dhamma as it gave me peace and relief, helping me to understand grief and cope with my feelings better.
Wise Steps:
When we experience suffering, slow down to observe and witness the suffering without judgment.
In life, we face many obstacles and unpleasant situations. Be kind and gentle towards yourself; give yourself time.
