June 2007
Celebrating Enlightenment – Vesak Dhamma Talks
2 June
A Day to Remember: The
Significance of Vesak
By Venerable Bodhi
More than 2550 years ago, a special baby was
born who become the Teacher of gods and men. His words brought
light to the dull, joy to the wise – teaching humanity wisdom,
compassion and liberation from all unhappiness.
From the heritage of His Teachings, His presence
can still be felt now stronger as ever. We use them to heal our
pain, build our spirit, cultivate our mind, so that we too can
partake of that He had tasted – The Taste of Freedom.
So, Vesak is not just another public holiday on
our calendar. It commemorates a lot more … Come find out how
Vesak can be special for you too!
VENUE: Tai Pei Buddhist Centre, 2,
Lavender Street, Singapore 338823
TIME: 7pm – 9pm
3 June
What makes a Buddhist,
Buddhist?
By Venerable Chuan Guan
Being vegetarian, burning incense and joss
sticks, bowing to stupas and relics, chanting and meditation.
What do they have in common? Does doing these entire things make
one a Buddhist?
Some may think a Buddhist should not eat beef;
others think that one has to make tons of flowers, fruits and
joss sticks offerings to be a Buddhist. How true are these
thoughts?
Stop wondering and get these questions settled
once and for all. Come for our session and you might find some
surprising answers!
VENUE: Tai Pei Buddhist Centre, 2,
Lavender Street, Singapore 338823
TIME: 7pm – 9pm
9 June
The Kalama Sutta - No need
for Faith to Practice Buddhism?
By Venerable Aggacitta Bhikkhu
The Kalama Sutta, often called the Charter of
Free Enquiry, seems to suggest that faith is redundant in our
practice. To what extent is this true? Is faith not a
requirement for taking refuge in the Triple Gem and for
practising the Noble Eightfold Path?
VENUE: Buddhist Union, 43 Lowland
Road Singapore 547444
TIME: 7pm – 9pm
10 June
Samatha And Vipassana
Meditations
By Venerable Aggacitta Bhikkhu
What is the right balance of
samatha and
vipassana that one needs to cultivate in meditation and what is
their role in one's development along the Noble Eightfold Path?
Synopsis
It is often an unending argument as to which of these two types
of meditations a practitioner must develop in order to achieve
the various stages of Enlightenment. Some traditions assert that
successful samatha is the unavoidable first step to cultivate
before progressing to vipassana. Other traditions refute this
and advocate vipassana as the initial training. What do the
suttas indicate?
VENUE: Buddhist Union, 43 Lowland
Road Singapore 547444
TIME: 7pm – 9pm
All
Admission is FREE!
SPEAKERS
Venerable Bodhi
or Venerable Shi Chun Yi was initiated into the Bhikkhuni Order
in 1996 and received Higher Ordination in Taiwan in 1997. She
obtained her basic degree in NUS and went on to do her
postgraduate studies in Buddhism in Sri Lanka. After 7 years of
studies, she obtained her PhD degree in 2003. Since her return
to Singapore, she has been a lecturer in the Postgraduate
Diploma Course conducted at the Buddhist Library. Currently she
is teaching at the KMSPKS Chinese Dharma Class.
Venerable Chuan Guan
was born in Singapore and graduated from NTU Computer
Engineering in 1997. After attending a meditation retreat in Fa
Yun Monastery (New Mexico, United States), he decided to
renounce in 2002. He then stayed in the monastery and studied
Mahayana Buddhism and the Theravada Pali Canon for more than 3
years, during which, he received his higher ordination becoming
a fully ordained monk (Bhikkhu) in 2003. He is currently
residing in Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery. He is
involved in Youth Work.
Venerable Aggacitta Bhikkhu
is a Malaysian Theravada Buddhist monk who received higher
ordination at Mahasi Meditation Centre, Rangoon, Myanmar, in
1979. Besides practicing meditation, he studied advanced Pali
and translation in Thai and Burmese from 1983 to 1984. He
continued to study the Pali Tipitaka and researched on its
interpretation and practice in Myanmar until his return to
Malaysia at the end of 1994. In 2000, he founded Sasanarakkha
Buddhist Sanctuary (SBS), a Theravada monk training centre
nestled among secluded valleys and brooks near Taiping, Perak,
Malaysia.
ORGANISED BY
Firefly Mission:
www.fireflymission.org /
enquire@fireflymission.org
NTU Buddhist Society Alumni:
bingo1@pacific.net.sg
NUS Buddhist Society Alumni:
puaykim@gmail.com
United Poly Buddhist Community:
thubtenningje@hotmail.com
Wat Ananda Youth:
www.way.org.sg /
way1966@gmail.com
Youth Ministry,
Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery:
www.kmspks.org/youth
/
youth@kmspks.org
VENUE SPONSORS:
Buddhist Union
Tai Pei Buddhist Centre
NEWATER SPONSOR
PUB
