22 July 2024

Dear devotees & friends,

Thank you all for participating in our various events held recently in celebration of the 2568 th Vesak Day (衛塞節). in memory of the late Venerable Rong Guang ( 上 榮 下 光老尼師), Enlightenment Day of Bodhisattva Avalokite'vara (觀世音菩薩成道日) and the special prayer in celebration of Venerable Sek Meow Ee's birthday ( 上 妙 下 義大和尚誕辰).

Ullambana Festival(盂蘭盆節)

We, Buddhists, will soon celebrate the Ullambana Festival, as a month of joy and not a month of hungry ghosts. We observe this festival based on the story of Maudgalyayana and his mother. This is expounded in the Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva Sutra (地藏菩薩本願功德經) which describes the past lives of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, who took it as his own responsibility to liberate hell-beings. He was moved by filial piety to rescue his deceased mother who was reborn in a woeful state of suffering and hence made his great vow to liberate all hell-beings. Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva's vow is that "if the hell is not yet empty, I vow not to become a Buddha." The Sutra also emphasises the miraculous powers that all sins be redeemed by reciting or hearing even a single phrase or verse of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva Sutra with earnest reverence.

The Monastery will recite 'The Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva Sutra' daily from 4 th August to 1 st September 2024 (except on Sundays when we continue with our regular prayers). The closing ceremony as well as the commemoration of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva' birthday will include The Yogacara Ulka-mukha (Puja) Dharma Service (施放瑜伽焰口) on 1 st September 2024.

Go Green

In February 2021, Singapore launched the Singapore Green Plan 2030, seeks to galvanise a whole-of-nation movement and advance Singapore's national agenda on sustainable development. As Buddhists, we should take steps to build a greener environment; this is about practicing and learning an eco-friendly lifestyle such as reducing the burning of joss papers and other paper offerings and joss sticks.

Going green leads to a healthier lifestyle and a cleaner environment. A clean environment is essential for human health and the well-being of ecosystems. Keeping our air, soil, and water pollutant-free can help reduce illness, protect wildlife habitats, and provide a healthy and vibrant atmosphere for future generations.

Hence, we like to inform you that with effective from 1 August 2024, we will only allow smokeless incense to be used in our 3 Halls, Cundi Hall at Level 1, Amitabha Hall at Level B1 and Ksitigarbha Hall at Level B2.
These halls have recently been renovated and are fully air-conditioned.

To facilitate you during your visits to the Monastery we have packaged a pack of 15 incense sticks @ 50 cents each which can be purchased from our Level 1 office.

In addition, we strongly urge all not to bring any joss papers or other paper offering items for offerings to your ancestors as there is strictly no burning within our premises. If, however you wish to do so, please bring them home as well as clear your food offerings after your prayers.

If you wish to express your filial piety to your deceased loved ones or dedicate merits to your karmic creditors and or participate in this festival, kindly call Alice or Danny on telephone 6253 3532, WhatsApp 8950 1883 or visit our Monastery.

Adoption of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva images (樹立地藏菩薩像)

We recently completed the renovation of our 2 Halls, Amitabha Hall at Level B1 and Ksitigarbha Hall at Level B2. During this Ullambana Festival, you may wish to adopt our 8- inch Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva which will be permanently placed in our Monastery and your names will be recited during the monthly The Great Compassion Repentance Service. In Buddhism, the gift of the dharma (including the Buddha images) is the greatest gift of all.

Visits to Monastery (參觀龍華藏院)

While there is no requirement to wear masks, we still encourage you to continue with this practice especially if you are elderly or having respiratory infection. This helps to protect you and others.

Thank you all for your co-operation. May the Merits of the Triple Gems be Always with you!

 

 

 



Yours sincerely









 

Upcoming events:

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