MANGALA VIHARA Newsletter

MANGALA VIHARA
Newsletter
30 Jalan Eunos Singapore 419495. Tel: 67444285 Fax: 67441912 Website: http://www.mangalavihara.org.sg MICA(P)155/06/2009
Editorial 1/2010
January 2010 came and ended very quickly Time is
impermanent. As all practising Buddhists know, only
the present moment is real!
This year records the 50th Anniversary of our Temple.
The issue focuses on the week’s celebrations from
25 to 31 March 2010 and thoughts on them. If the
present is the only thing that is real, why do we want
to know our history or how we have come this far?
Progress and the direction to take towards making
progress are essential markers of our achievements.
Progress alludes to every type of advancement,
including those on the material, as well as those
at the spiritual planes. To us mundane folks, we
constantly refer to our past to seek guidance and to
measure how we have done. Foremost in our minds
is how we can do better. We can just continue from
where we are.
History is created by people as they live through
events. What we do today, and how we do it, will be
history tomorrow. The point is whether it will be good
enough to be considered as history.
Fifty years may not be a long time, but if the general
guide of a 25-year span is taken for one generation,
our temple has gone through two generations. We
must remember that at Mangala Vihara, we are
the beneficiaries of an institution and system that
have ensued from the sacrifices and hard work of
numerous people, many of whom we have never
met. As we understand the trials and tribulations in
converting a barren and swampy piece of land into a
fledgling temple and eventually into what it is today,
we will appreciate the progress made and not take
our good fortune for granted. More importantly, it is
how and what we do to make the present sustainable,
and hopefully better, for the next generation. It is with
this wisdom that we celebrate the 50th Anniversary
of Mangala Vihara.
When we begin to see history in that light, without
getting attached to it, with objectivity, then learning
from and understanding it, we make ourselves
and others better in the present. We are able to
rationalise our practices of being in the present. In
this way, we lay the foundations for the future, just
as Venerable Mahaweera and several significant
individuals had done.
When the gauntlet is thrown down, are you up to it?
The baton is in your hands to carry on!
Han Ah Yew, Leong Kum Seng, Lee Mee Yin
Speech by Venerable U Cittara,
Resident Monk on Mangala Vihara’s
50th Anniversary Celebrations
I’d like to thank MahÈ Sangha, our Guest-of-Honour, Dr
Ong Seh Hong, Member of Parliament, Marine Parade
GRC, guests and our family members.
When we look back at the last 50 years of our journey, we
have some proud notable achievements.
1) The founding fathers of Singapore prioritises English
language after its independence. In the same way, the
medium of all Dhamma classes conducted in MV has
been the English language before Singapore obtained
its independence. MV has been the only place where
Singaporeans learnt the Buddha’s teachings in English
decades ago.
2) In the late 20th century, Singapore has grown up.
Singaporeans became more adventurous and more
curious. Just as timely, our late great founder resolutely
set up the Buddhist Pali College for Buddhists and non-
Buddhists alike. Our late master passed away in 2002.
3) Many people in the world, East and West, talked about
meditation which was initially considered an out-of-date
teaching of the Lord Buddha. However, the MV
Management Committee did not hesitate to fill the gap.
4) The world has now held China in high regard and many take
up the study of the Chinese language in fervour. Mangala
Vihara has kept up with the times and also offers dhamma
classes in Mandarin.
5) Last but not least, the Singapore Government has long
considered the sensitivity of religious, racial and cultural
issues and put much effort in building a multi religious,
racial and cultural society. Similarly, in our temple, we
have a Singaporean monk, two Burmese monks and a
Sri Lankan monk, staying under the same roof in peace
and harmony, with mutual respect and understanding for
one another, practising the teachings of the Lord Buddha.
In conclusion, in its 50 years of existence, MV has been
playing its role quietly and gearing towards change at the
national and community level so that we do our part to
contribute effectively in building this beautiful society called
Singapore.
On this special occasion, may MV continue to carry out its
obligations well and may all be blessed by the Triple Gem.
Once again thank you for joining us in celebrating our 50th
Anniversary.
Vol. 7 No. 1

Fleeting Moments of thought at MV’s 50th Anniversary
Taking a short cut
“I’m the first Burmese monk who set up a Buddhist temple
in Singapore, but I’m the last international monk who did it
in Singapore.”
I recall the statement by the Penang Sayadaw and I could
not help smiling to myself quietly. Then, my teachers had just
celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Burmese Buddhist
Temple, while Cittara, a disciple, is going to celebrate the
50th anniversary of Mangala Vihara as a resident monk.
Believe it or not, I took a short cut to the 50th anniversary.
How could I forget the achievements of the late great
Master and his supporters who initiated the long journey
with gratitude?
Could be more than one
A few days before the 50th anniversary, a lady told me:
“Bhante, I’m sorry. I haven’t come to the temple for quite a
long time. The preparation for the anniversary is so great.
I’m so proud of that, but I regret that I couldn’t help in any
way. Please forgive me.”
She looked to be in her late 70s or early 80s. Her way
of showing her loyalty to MV and expressing her regret
was simply admirable. I consoled her saying that she had
already given services to the temple for many years and it
was time for the younger generation to do their part. Then
she looked relieved and went to the Shrine Hall to pay
respect to the Buddha.
I pondered over her words after she had left. How many of
our old and new members would have such a feeling on the
immense preparations required to ensure the successful
implementation of plans to celebrate MV’s 50th anniversary
when they were unable to help? Only one came forward
to express her true feeling, but I am pretty sure there could
be more.
Worth the effort
I participated in a 45-day-and-night non-stop recitation of
the Tipitaka at a monastery’s 45th anniversary at 18. It was
not a light duty then, but 24 novices performed the duty
well. They incessantly recited the Tipitaka, one novice after
another, reflecting on the gratitude of Venerables Maha
Kassapa, Ananda and Upali who recited all the teachings of
the Buddha no sooner after the Lord had passed away. The
feeling was so joyous that I always think of holding such a
celebration should the opportunity arise. We could organize
a seven-day recitation of the Tipitaka, and perhaps be the
first of its kind in Singapore, if the 50-day recitation is farfetched
for the different environment we are in. Come to
think of it, even a week-long celebration will be extremely
tough in present Singapore.
At the end of the event, a Singhalese man remarked,
“What a grand and meaningful celebration with seven days
of chanting the Buddha’s Teachings. It was indeed well
organised by Mangala Vihara. Sadhu.”
His timely comment spoke volume of our efforts.
MV does not have foreign workers
A common topic of national interest in Singapore has been
the presence of too many foreign workers. The reality is
that Singapore still needs foreign workers, especially for
the construction industry and other back-breaking jobs that
most Singaporeans are reluctant to take.
How about our temple? Observing our 50th anniversary
and other major events, we have more than enough helpers
in almost all areas except in the area of maintaining the
building and its premises - a back-breaking job in MV. The
oldest member of the team is already in his late 80s and this
team has put in the most strenuous physical contribution for
every event.
MV, like Singapore, still needs more young and healthy
helpers who are willing to spend time in the areas where
they can utilize their skills or expertise. The fact is that MV
does not have foreign workers.
I was not good enough
“Bhante, you look very tired. Go up and take a rest.” I was
told by many concerned individuals.
As a matter of fact, the remark was made by those who also
did not have a good rest in the seven days. Did they look
tired? Not exactly, I thought. Then why was I looking so tired
considering that I was younger than most of them? I deeply
regret my physical appearance. I felt apologetic when I
observed that all the helpers in all areas, who gave their
services to the temple tirelessly, were still hard at work.
Note –Out of respect, no personal names are mentioned in
this article.
U Cittara
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MV 50th Anniversary:
Start of week-long chanting – 25 March 2010
Members of the Myanmese Sangha
Bhantes Cittara & Acara with Weng Cheong at the miniature
shrine
Members of Mangala Vihara bringing religious items to the
miniature shrine
Melvin participating in the opening of the Pathana chanting
Page 3

MV 50th Anniversary:
Open House – 28 March 2010
MP Dr Ong receiving cheque of $50,000 towards PCF-Kg Ubi
Kembangan
Lay Hoon outside the Mongolian tent housing the montage of
the Buddhist Studies
Bhante Dr Indasara with Bhante Cittara examining the Sivali relics
Sandra Koh & Cynthia Tan at the MV Souvenir Book counter
High Commissioner of Sri Lanka, Ms Jayathri Samarakone, chatting
with Ven K Sri Dhammaratana and Ven Gnanarama
Members tending the Buddhist Studies counter
Page 4

MV 50th Anniversary:
Whole Night Chanting – 31 March 2010
Sri Lankan Sangha at the whole night chanting
Beginning of the night chanting lighting ceremony
Sri Lankan Sangha entering the miniature shrine bringing
in the religious items
Rosalie Boon offering the tray of flowers to Bhante Gnanarama
Page 5

Mangala Vihara Youth Circle
Annual Dinner - 27 February 2010
The Youth Circle organised this year’s Annual Dinner for the
first time. Mentors, parent volunteers and the youths formed
a sub-committee, starting work in June 2009. The venue
was our priority and we sourced for quotations from over 20
hotels and restaurants to make careful comparisons on the
pricing. Then we shortlisted some, based on location and
ambience.
The Mercure Roxy Hotel was the best option. Several
months were spent to brainstorm on the theme. “Back
to the 60s” was chosen to bring back sweet memories to
our older members. While aiming to put an interesting
programme in place, we also had to attend to attractive
lucky draw prizes, presentable door gifts (from Bangkok),
appropriate music and video clips appropriate to the theme,
and lively emcees, but more importantly, an affordable
event for our guests. The youths painstakingly put up
posters to publicise the event and aggressively marketed
the tickets for the dinner months before the event. By
December 2009, all tickets were taken up.
Some youths put up an interesting song item and our
soloist dancer, Nicole De Silva, entertained our guests
with a magnificent ballet dance. We took the opportunity
to celebrate Mangala Vihara’s 50th anniversary with the
surprised cutting of an anniversary cake. We were glad
that our guests had a fantastic time. On behalf of the Youth
Circle, I wish to thank several well–wishers who actually
emailed me to congratulate the organisers for a job well
done. I also wish to thank others for their constructive
feedback.
Rita Lee (Mentor)
On behalf of the Youth Circle (Dinner Committee)
Dhamma Supervisor’s Report
January-March 2010
Sunday Dhamma classes resumed and YMBA certificates
were presented to the 64 candidates on 3 January 2010.
Our Chinese New Year dinner, organised by our youth
group, saw a big turnout of our students, teachers,
members, devotees, and their families. The Mercure Roxy
Ballroom was very conducive for the event.
March’s week-long 50th anniversary celebration, from 25 to
31 March 2010, the Management Committee, Maintenance,
F & B. members and devotees came forward to help.
Our teachers, Raymond Yow and Lily Chan, prepared the
montage on Buddhist Studies displayed in a Mongolian
tent. Volunteers, comprising our teachers and students,
even applied for leave to assume duty during the weekdays.
They explained our five-year YMBA courses to visitors.
This year 100 candidates enrolled for the YMBA
examinations, showing that more people are interested in
our Theravada teachings.
We thank our donors for their kind contributions to our
Sunday Dhamma treats:
3 Jan10 - Mrs Jessy Phua (Dhamma Supervisor); Mabel,
Alex, Alice, Cynthia, Ginny, Baldwin (junior class)
10 Jan10 – Ng Ghim Hoo & family; Clarence Lim.
17 Jan10 – Mrs J H John & family
24 Jan10 – Jenny K C Tan & Shum Kah Hay
31 Jan10 – Ng Kim Yong & family
21 Feb10 – Senior Class
28 Feb10 – Choo Chiau Beng & family
7 Mar10 – Peter Lian & family (birthday), Eunice Teo Seek
Yong & Jess Pek Sio Hoo
14 Mar10 – Fong Swee Kheng & family
21 Mar10 – Leong Lye Cheu, Anne Lee, Nellie Lee & Chen
Chaw Hui & their families.
Please continue to support to our Sunday Dhamma treats.
Mrs Jessy Phua
Dhamma Supervisor, 2009/2010
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Mangala Vihara Diary
1 JANUARY 2010 (FRIDAY) – GENERAL DANA
This fifth general Dana was organised on New Year’s Day.
Besides our resident monks, Venerables Cittara, Acara and
Raja, were two monks from Swedagon Centre. Members
and devotees offered bags of necessities to the monks after
the Sanghika Dana. The Sangha blessed those present for
their generosity and wished them good health and longevity.
two monitors. Refreshment was served before they left at
about 5.30 pm for another temple, as part of their Chinese
New Year visits.
13 FEBRUARY 2010 (SATURDAY) - EVE OF LUNAR NEW YEAR
On Lunar New Year Eve, a large turnout of members and
devotees assembled in the Shrine Hall to participate in
chanting the Maha Samaya Sutta or the Great Assembly
of Deities led by Bhante Raja to invoke the Blessings of
the Triple Gem to usher in the Year of the Tiger, followed
by Bhante Cittara’s brief explanation of the Sutta. Then the
members were treated to ‘prosperity’ porridge.
14 FEBRUARY 2010 (SUNDAY) - CHINESE NEW YEAR
Many members and devotees participated in the 11.00am
Puja and were blessed by our three resident monks, who
were kept busy throughout the day. A Burmese-style
vegetarian bryani lunch was served to visitors.
15 ~ 27 FEBRUARY 2010 (MONDAY ~ SATURDAY) -
CHINESE NEW YEAR (CNY) BLESSING
The venerables, Mr. Philip Chan, Ms Wong Lu Chin, Ms
Anne Lee, Mr. Sunny Boon, Ms Maureen Teo, Mrs. Gina
Lim and Ms Lucia Sng made the annual CNY visits to the
homes of 22 elderly members over 12 days. We gratefully
acknowledge the chauffeur services rendered by all the
members.
Bhante Cittara visiting a devotee’s home during Chinese New Year
NEW YEAR’S VISIT – MP DR ONG SEH HONG
Dr Ong Seh Hong made his customary Chinese New Year
visit to MV on 21 February 2010 at 5.00 pm. He and his
RC members were warmly welcomed by the Management
Committee. They proceeded to the Shrine Hall to pay their
respects to the Buddha and were blessed by our Resident
Monk, Ven U Cittara. Dr Ong was impressed with our
upcoming events for our 50th Anniversary displayed on the
MP Dr Ong Seh Hong - his customary New Year visit to MV on 21 Feb
28 FEBRUARY 2010 - GET-TOGETHER DINNER
The Get-together Dinner, on the theme “Back to the 60’s”,
was held at Grand Mercure Hotel, graced by Chai Sheng
Ye (God of Wealth) distributing red packets and mandarin
oranges to diners. The Youth Group organised the dinner
with games, contests and surprises. Mr Lee Yong Meng
was the MC. A band entertained diners with golden oldies.
Some nyonyas took to the stage to entertain the diners.
Representatives from the Wat Ananda Metyarama, Ti-
Sarana Association and the Burmese Buddhist Temple
joined us at the dinner. We thanked the Youth Group and
their mentor, Mdm Rita Lee, for the enjoyable evening,
25 MARCH ~ 1 APRIL 2010 – 50TH ANNIVERSARY
CELEBRATIONS
We celebrated the 50th Anniversary of Mangala Vihara
with a seven-day recitation, including a five-day 24-hour
recitation of the Patthana, a book of the Abhidhamma, and
whole-night chanting of parittas the next two nights.
The Myanmese Sangha started the recitation on 25 Mar.
The Chairman, Mr. Lim Ah Swan led a procession bearing
religious items into the miniature shrine. Twelve Sangha
members lighted the oil lamp before the ceremony. The
Vice-Chairman, Mr. Philip Chan, recited the stanzas to
invite the Buddha, owner of the Patthana, followed by Mr.
Mervin Phua, the Asst. Treasurer, to invite the celestials
and humans to listen to the chanting. Lastly, our Chairman
invited Ven U Tilokasiri, the Resident monk of the Burmese
Buddhist Temple to initiate the five-day chanting of the
Patthana till 30 March.
On the 30 March evening, the Thai Sangha, led by Ven.
Chaokhun, took over the whole-night chanting of parittas
after the Sangha members lighted the oil lamp. Five groups
of five monks, each took turns to recite the Suttas from 8.30
pm until 6.30 am the next day.
On 31 March evening, the oil lamp was lighted again, by the
13 Sinhalese bhikkhus, Venerables U Cittara and Acara.
Ven Prof I Indasara Thero gave a short talk on the late Ven.
Page 7

M M Mahaweera, before Ven Dr. P. Gnanarama initiated
the whole night chanting. It continued till 5.45am, 1 April.
Devotees assembled for the morning puja, followed by
blessings by Ven. Gnanarama, who concluded it with the
transference of merits. Members and devotees queued up
to collect yellow threads and water which had been blessed
during the seven-day recitation.
The Management Committee would like to thank the
following members for chauffeuring the monks during the
seven days’ chanting:-
Ms Wong Lu Chin, Ms Maureen Teo, Mrs. May Hoepfner,
Mdm Pearline Sng, Mdm Clarice Chiu, Mr. Leonard Frida,
Mr. John Peh, Ms Anne Lee, Mr. John Lee, Mr. Wee Lian
Teck, Mdm Helen Tan, Mdm Nancy Teo, Mr. Philip Poh, Ms
Jill Teo, and Mr. Alex Wee.
28 MARCH 2010 (SUNDAY) - 50th ANNIVERSARY OPEN
HOUSE
At 9 am, Dr Ong Seh Hong and his grassroots team
attended our Open House together with the Sri Lankan High
Commissioner, Her Excellency, Ms Jayathri Samarakone,
Mr Ginige, Ven Dhammaratana, Chief Monk of Buddha
Maha Vihara in Kuala Lumpur, Ven Dr P Gnanarama,
Principal of Buddhist & Pali College, Ven Prof I Indasara
Thero of Buddhist & Pali University of Sri Lanka, Ven U
Tilokasiri, Resident Monk of Burmese Buddhist Temple,
monks from the Thai temple, Mr Low Meng Cher, Chairman
of Geylang East Home For The Aged, and Mr Nilesh and
Mr Sundip from DAY Indian Society, other members and
devotees.
The Buddha and Sivali Relics were exhibited in the Shrine
Hall and two Mongolian tents were erected to display
montages on the history of MV, Buddhist Dhamma Studies,
Buddhist & Pali College, the Youth Group and its activities
and Mandarin classes.
Two two-hour movies, with Buddhist themes, entitled
“Himalayas” and “Departures” were screened in the
afternoon.
A special Souvenir Book, depicting 50 years of Mangala
Vihara, Dhamma activities, remembrances of many “older”
members of the temple as well as congratulatory messages
by various temples and organisations, was also distributed.
The Sivali yantra, specially blessed in Sri Lanka, was
brought in by Ven Prof I Indasara Thero for this occasion.
Holy water was distributed and lunch, served to 400
members and devotees.
31 MARCH 2010 (WEDNESAY) – SANGHIKA DANA ON
50th ANNIVERSARY
A Sanghika Dana for about 50 monks of the three traditions:
Sinhala, Burmese and Thai, from various temples was
hosted by our Resident Monk, Ven. U. Cittara after the
morning puja.
About 120 members and devotees participated in the
Dana. The monks, chauffeured back to their temples by
our members and devotees, left happily with a speciallyprepared
50th Anniversary bag containing various souvenir
items.
The Management Committee appreciated very much the
chauffeur services to the monks for the Sanghika dana by
the following members:-
Ms Wong Lu Chin, Ms Maureen Teo, Mrs. May Hoepfner,
Mdm Ching, Mdm Pearline Sng, Mdm Clarice Chiu, Mr.
Leonard Frida, Mr. John Peh, Ms Anne Lee, Mr. John Lee
and Mrs. Amy Ho.
NEW MEMBERS
We welcome the following new members during the Jan ~
Mar period 2010:
Mdm Lim Geok Hua, Ms Chanitra Sandra Koh and Mdm
Jasmine Chua.
OBITUARY
We regret the passing away of the following members:-
1) Ms Goh Eng Guat passed away on 9 Jan 2010,
2) Mdm Lee Kim Cheng passed away on 13 Jan 2010 and
3) Mr. Geoffrey Song Kim Chua passed away on 19 Mar
2010.
May they take birth in a happy realm and attain the Bliss of
Nibbana.
WEEKLY DISCUSSION OF SUTTAS
Monks Date Time Title
3 Jan 12.45 - 1.45 pm “Mangala Sutta” – Commentarial,
traditional and personal views
Bhante
Cittara
Bhante
Acara
31Jan 12.45 -1.45 pm “How and Why We Chant the
Abhidhamma (Patthana)”
7 Feb 12.45 - 1.45 pm “How and Why We Chant the Abhidhamma
(Patthana)” – Commentarial,
traditional & personal views
10, 17 &
24 Jan
10, 17 &
24 Jan
12.45 - 1.45 pm Sutta Studies” – Talk I, II & III
Anguttara Nikaya – Ekaka-Nipata
12.45 - 1.45 pm “Sutta Studies” – Talk IV Anguttara
Nikaya – Ekaka-Nipata
Jenny Tan
Hon Secretary, Management Committee 2009/ 2010
Errata:
50 th Anniversary Souvenir Book
Page
132: List of Dhamma
Supervisors
109: Last line of 2 nd
paragraph
Amendments
1984 – 1986 See Lye Guat
1986 – 1988 Ang Kim Neo
The Opening Ceremony
was held on Vesak eve,
3 May 1985.
Page 8