LHCST.org

The Viriya Lecture Series 进觉弘法系列讲座

The Lecture Series were launched in conjunction with Ullambana festival focus on building a compassionate and caring society.

In year 2002, Ven. Sek Tsang Hui’s talk entitled “Understanding Yourself”, covered topics on the origination, birth, old age, sickness and death of sentient beings. He also peppered his lecture with generous dosage of humor and wit. Ven. Dr. K Sri Dhammananda, Chief Sangha Nayaka of Malaysia & Singapore, spoke on the topic of “Service To Mankind”. He explained the profound Dharma into fundamental understanding on the needs to serve the community. Contributions to our lecture series will be used to set up The Sangha Welfare Fund.

In year 2003, we were very pleased that Ven. Pu Ti, a renowned scholar from China gave the lectures. All contributions will help to build up the Sangha Welfare Fund which is used to provide financial and medical assistance to the senior members of Sangha community.

Lilies On The River 水上漂荷 The Lilies On The River is a yearly event. The fund raising programmes usually begins in mid March. We set a target of S$1m; in other words, we have to source for a sponsorship of 100,000 lilies @ S$10 each. Given the economic slowdown, this must have been a very ambitious goal but we achieved it. More than 100.000 lilies were floating down the river in the year 2003. Our Guest of Honour, Mr Khaw Boon Wan, Acting Minister for Health and Senior Minister of State for Finance arrived to witness the floating of the 100,000 lilies.\

Ullambana Festival 南无大愿地藏王菩萨圣诞超度大法会

The 7th month of the Lunar calendar commemorates the birthday of Kshitigarbha Bodhisattva. To the Buddhists, this is a thanksgiving month and hence special prayers are conducted daily to express our filial piety to our deceased elders and dedicate merits for world peace, harmony and prosperity. we also show our appreciation to the members of the Sangha community by offering them token on the 15th day of the 7th month.

农历7月正是庆祝南无大愿菩萨圣诞超度大法会的时候。对于佛教徒来说，这是个提倡布施和孝道的节日。龙华藏院举行了大型的超度感恩法会，在农历十五供僧。以此普施法界众生，功德回向世界和平、国泰民安。

Hospital Distributions

We carry on with the distribution of the goodie bags. This time, the bags were distributed to patients in Class C wards of Singapore General Hospital and Class C / B2 Children’s Ward of KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital. These children also received story books donated to us by MPH Limited

Trip to Sri Lanka

Venerable Sek Meow Ee led a group of 37 volunteers and devotees to Sri Lanka from 26 to 30 November 2002. The Temple has a monastery and an orphanage there.

During the trip, we distributed 3,000 goodie bags comprising 5 kg of rice, 5 coconuts and other grocery items to the families who have to walk for hours to reach the distribution centre. We also offered robes and alms to 130 members of the Sangha community. These acts are indeed part of the “sharing & caring for you” project.

To the devotees, the most unforgetable spiritual fulfillment must be the offer of 84,000 fresh lotus at Kirivehera Pagoda, located at Kataragama, the place where Lord Buddha stayed with 500 Arahants when he visited Sri Lanka more than 2,500 years ago. Kirivehera Pagoda was built to commemorate his visit.

Official Opening of Whispering Hearts Family Service Centre & Student Care Centre

16 June 2002 was the opening day of both the Family Service Centre and Student care Centre at Jurong West. The event was officiated by Assoc. Professor Yaacob Ibrahim, Acting Minister of Community Development and Sports. A host of events were held on that day including a Family Life Carnival and an outing for about 200 members to several farms in the north-western part of Singapore. The old and young visitors simply enjoyed this trip.

These two centers are set up by LHCST-Viriya Community Services with the support of the Ministry of Community Development and Sports to promote healthy and happy families.