Past and Present Temple Visit Report Jayamangala Buddhist Vihara Tutor

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SSA1208/ GES1005 Everyday Life of Chinese Singaporeans: Past and Present Temple Visit Report Jayamangala Buddhist Vihara

Tutorial Group D8 App profile ID: 128

Jacinta Pang Sze Hui

Yeo Jie Ling

Yoong Jun Ming Introduction Our group has been assigned Jayamangala Buddhist Vihara (吉祥佛社) which is a Buddhist temple located at 23 Jalan Mas Puteh, Singapore 128628. This essay encompasses various aspects such as the temple’s history, layout, Gods, artefacts and rites celebrated.

History of Jayamangala Buddhist Vihara Jayamangala Buddhist Vihara (吉祥佛社) was founded by the head monk, Ven Dr Vicitta and Melissa, a Buddhist devotee on 10 September 2009. Its name “Jayamangala” came from a Buddhist text called Jayamangala Gatha or 8 victories of the Gautama Buddha (释迦摩尼佛). Despite being a Burmese Buddhist temple, Melissa decided that a Chinese name was necessary. She came up with the name 吉祥佛社 as 吉祥 means Mangala as in “Jayamangala” and 佛社 means Buddhist society. She originally had plans to name the temple 吉祥佛寺 but it did not happen due to a mix-up during registration time.

Prior to the setup of the temple, Ven Dr Vicitta came to Singapore for a field trip in 2002 after graduating from his degree in Sri Lanka. There were over 200,000 Burmese of Rakhinese ethnic in Singapore at that time and he saw the need to provide spiritual respite for his ethnic group. With the hope of continuing his missionary without visa restrictions, he decided to set up a temple in Singapore. After setting up his first temple here, he subsequently set up a sister temple in Yangon, Myanmar under the same name. Today, the Singapore temple houses 8 monks, including Ven Dr Vicitta. Being relatively new, the size of the temple is rather small and it occupies two units on the second level of a shop house at 23 Jalan Mas Puteh. Jayamangala Buddhist Vihara has been located at its current location since the beginning. The units have different lease terms where Unit 23A is renewed every 3 years and 25A renewed annually. Before the temple opened its doors to its devotees, Ven Dr Vicitta rented big event halls at places such as Arena Country Club to host seminars for his devotees. With regards to membership, the temple stopped keeping track after the number grew to over 100. Their active members contributes in several ways such as donating money for the temples’ maintenance and volunteering for their events.

1 Layout of Jayamangala Buddhist Vihara The temple occupies two units on the second level of a shop house and its address is 23A and 25A of Jalan Mas Puteh. Upon climbing the stairs, visitors are led into two areas. (Fig 1.1) The area on the right consists of 2 bedrooms and a living room. The bedrooms are the monks’ sleeping quarters and they use the space in the living room to have their meals. The area on the left consists of the temple’s main hall and a pantry (Fig 1.3). The hall has a spacious space for devotees to partake in mediation exercises or paying of respects. There are 4 Buddha statues of varying sizes in the centre of the hall - 2 large gold plated statues, 1 large copper statue, and 1 medium porcelain statue (Fig 1.6). In replacement of a censer or tables, the front of the statues is covered by green plants and a water fountain. According to Ven Dr Vicitta, the water fountain is used to help devotees relax their mind during meditation. To the right of the Buddha statue, a wooden chair is placed (Fig 1.7) and reserved for Ven Dr Vicitta. The chair symbolizes his status as the Head Monk. The main hall serves as a place for devotees to pay their respects to Buddha and also as a praying room where Dharma classes, prayers, meditation and concentration is conducted.

At the most right corner of the room, there is a chart called Circle of Four Noble Truths (四圣谛) which represents the cycle of clinging and taking birth in one desire after another. With the chart positioned at a prominent corner of the room, the Head Monk uses the room to educate devotees on Buddhist teachings of letting go and freeing themselves from suffering. A bookshelf is also set up in the corner, filled with Buddhist scriptures and books which devotees are able to browse at their own leisure. There are numerous Buddhist flags (Fig 1.6) adorning the walls of the hall. These Buddhist flags have blue, yellow, red, white and orange horizontal stripes and a sixth stripe containing blue, yellow, red, white and orange vertical stripes. This flag originated from Sri Lanka and is a symbol of faith while representing the colours of the aura that emanated from the body of Buddha when he attained Enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree. (The Origin and Meaning of the Buddhist Flag, n.d.)

Gods Since the temple focuses on the teachings of Theravada Buddhism, they only worship Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism. (Fig 2.1) Buddhists believe that Gautama Buddha was an

2 enlightened teacher who realised the right way of living. He was born as Siddhartha Gautama in Lumbini, Nepal. Originally a prince, he left the palace as he wanted to end human suffering and rebirth. He picked up meditation and discovered the Noble Eightfold Path which is a well-known symbol in present day Buddhism. The Noble Eightfold Path consists of eight practices and followers will be able to attain Nirvana upon completing them. Nirvana represents the cessation of suffering and rebirth. Upon 49 days of meditation under the Bodhi Tree, Gautama achieved Enlightenment and obtained complete understanding of the Four Noble Truths (Fig 2.2), a conceptual framework for presenting and explaining Buddhist thoughts. After achieving Enlightenment, Gautama become known as the Buddha. He took in disciples and they travelled around India and Nepal to spread their teachings. Through the ongoing efforts of his followers, the teachings of Buddha were widely propagated and Buddhism became the fourth largest religion in the world.

Regular activities The temple performs Theravada Buddhist practises such as Dana (generosity), Sila (precepts), Buddha-Dhamma (Buddha's teachings), Puja (chantings), Meditation and observing Buddhist events like Uposatha Day, Magha Puja Day (Fourfold Assembly or "Sangha Day"), Asalha Puja Day ("Dhamma Day"), Abhidhamma Day, Vesak Day （卫塞节）, Vasso (Rainy Retreat), Kathina (end of Rainy Retreat), and Upasampada (Ordination of monks). (Appendix 3) Many of the temple’s devotees are immigrants from Myanmar who have left their hometown to work in Singapore as the temple provides spiritual respite and sense of belonging outside their home. In addition, the temple offers advice and assistance to abused Burmese maids and workers. Further, it also provides family support for its devotees such as resolving marital and relationship problems. Keeping up to date with social media, Jayamangala Temple is proactive on updating its Facebook page. With a large following of more than 12,000, their Facebook page provides information and photos about the temple’s activities, and creates engaging content with Facebook live videos. (Jayamangala Buddhist Vihara, 2017)

Being a small temple, it is rare to conduct larger scale rituals. During normal days, devotees come to the temple to read Buddhist scriptures and chants, and also pay respects to Buddha and the monks. They will get blessings from the monks, consult about life questions and make

3 donations（添油）(Fig 1.8) to the temple. They will also partake in meditation exercises before having their meals in the temple. To demonstrate, the head monk kindly taught us the meditation exercise. (Fig 3.4) We were asked to sit down with our palms open and we have to breathe in and out 8 times before we put one finger down. We will then repeat the breathing exercise till our hands are in a fist position. That is considered as one round. To keep track of the number of completed rounds, we can tap our elbows, shoulders, ears and head, each tap holding for 8 breaths. In total, there should be 5 completed rounds. The monk shared that the purpose of meditation was to let go of attachment, which is the root cause of human suffering.

Celebrations Its annual calendar of events includes New Year special offering to the Sangha; New Year's Eve chanting; observances of the Water Festival (Thin Gyan) and Vesak Day; the Vassa (Rain Retreat) offering of Kathina robes; and the Kathina celebration. (Appendix 4) However, due to space and regulatory constraints, the temple mainly celebrates Burmese New Year and Vesak Day in Singapore, and Thin Gyan, Vassa and Kathina in Yangon.

Burmese New Year is one of the temple’s major celebrations. Annually, the temple would organize a 'Respect The Elderly' event to welcome the new year, where the elderly will sit at the front of the meditation hall to receive red packets and goody bags. (Fig 3.1) The Burmese community residing here in Singapore will gather at the temple to chant, meditate, and celebrate together during the festive season. Devotees also come forth to receive blessings from the monks and Buddha and seek for a fresh start to begin the new year.

During Vesak Day, the temple celebrates the birth of the Buddha. This is one of the most important festivals in the Buddhist calendar as it commemorates three significant events in Gautama Buddha's life – his birthday, his enlightenment and his passing. According to the legend about his birth, baby Buddha who had a white canopy held over his head began to walk seven steps forward and at each step, a lotus flower appeared. The seven steps he walked is a portend that he will achieve the Seven Factors of Enlightenment and Nirvana. During Vesak Day, devotees would bathe a baby Buddha statue placed in a fountain by pouring sacred water

4 with flower petals over it（浴佛） (O’Brien, 2017). This signifies the purification of the souls of disciples and is a reference to the flowers and rain that fell during Buddha’s birth.

In addition, Jayamangala Temple organises cleaning of Buddha images, house dana, blessings for newborns, new home, birthdays and also conducts home and hospital visits.

Artefacts Relics These are crystallised manifestations of wisdom and compassion, usually found in the remains of monks and Buddha, or people who have done many good deeds in their lives; as opposed to ordinary people who will be left with only black ashes after being cremated. (Fig 2.3)

Small Buddha Statues These are palm-sized Buddha statues brought down by Dr Vicitta from Myanmar. Placed at the altar, they are either made with bronze or plated with gold. (Fig 2.7) These statues were easier to transport but still are of great significance.

Silver Tea Ware The tea ware is an essential part of a ritual which is done in appreciation of the contribution of the devotees. (Fig 2.6) The monks and devotees would first pour water from the teapot into the cups before pouring onto the ground. It is believed that this water would be used to determine one’s reincarnation path in the afterlife. The tea ware is used solely for ritual purposes and not meant for drinking.

Conclusion Not only are temples places of worship, they are also rich in historical and cultural value. Though located in Singapore, Jayamangala Temple remains connected to Myanmar with its sister temple in Yangon. The temple has provided spiritual respite to the Rakhinese population living in Singapore and given them with a place to congregate and connect with one another. Integrating its Burmese cultural roots, the temple adds to Singapore’s vibrant landscape, enhancing multiculturalism in Singapore (Dean, 2015). Through Buddhist rituals and teachings, the temple has a social and cultural role in spreading the spirit of Buddhism in our secular society.

Bibliography BBC (2009, November 17). The Four Noble Truths. Retrieved October 29, 2017 from http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/buddhism/beliefs/fournobletruths_1.shtml

Bhalerao, A. (2017). Abhidamma Day. Retrieved October 29,2017 from http://explorebuddha.com/index.php/blog/abhidhamma-day

Biography.com Editors (2015, January 23). Buddha Biography.com. Retrieved October 29, 2017 from https://www.biography.com/people/buddha-9230587

Dean, K. (2015). PARALLEL UNIVERSES. Handbook of Religion and the Asian City: Aspiration and Urbanization in the Twenty-First Century, 273. Retrieved October 29, 2017 from https://books.google.com.sg/books?hl=en&lr=&id=vdYkDQAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PA273&dq =kenneth+dean+parallel+universe&ots=hbE74rbxDa&sig=xWxDcXS74rVWD0F3k_FcUCVE7 Gg#v=onepage&q=kenneth%20dean%20parallel%20universe&f=false

Jayamangla Buddhist Vihara. (2017). In Facebook [Group Page]. Retrieved October 15, 2017, from https://www.facebook.com/www.anantametta.org/

O’Brien, B. (2017, July 24). The Birth of the Buddha. Retrieved October 29, 2017 from https://www.thoughtco.com/the-birth-of-the-buddha-449783

O’Brien, B. (2017, February 22). Kathina: The Robe Offering. Retrieved October 29, 2017 from https://www.thoughtco.com/kathina-the-robe-offering-450081

The Origin and Meaning of the Buddhist Flag. (n.d.) Retrieved October 29, 2017 from http://www.buddhistcouncilofqueensland.org/node/143

Appendix 1. Layout

Figure 1.1 Floor Plan 平面图

Figure 1.2 Entrance 入口

Figure 1.3 Meditation Hall 善堂 (1)

Figure 1.4 Meditation Hall 善堂(2)

Figure 1.5 Meditation Hall 善堂 (3)

Figure 1.6 Meditation Hall Altar 神台

Figure 1.7 Chair reserved for Head Monk 座椅

Figure 1.8 Donation Box 添油箱

Figure 1.9 Monks’ Quarters 和尚住宿

Figure 1.10 Dining Table 食堂

2. Artefacts

Figure 2.1 Buddha Statue 佛像

Figure 2.2 Circle of Four Noble Truths 四圣谛

Figure 2.3 Relic 舍利子

Figure 2.4 Censer 香炉

Figure 2.5 Books 经书

Figure 2.6 Teapot ware 茶壶和茶杯

Figure 2.7 Small Buddha statues made with gold (left 2) and copper (right) 金属和铜小佛像

3. Events

Figure 3.1 Respect the Elderly Event during Burmese New Year 敬老庆祝，迎接新年

Figure 3.2 Having meals together 共餐

Figure 3.3 Meditation Practice 静坐

Figure 3.4 Meditation Exercise 静坐

Sangha/Magha Puja Magha Puja, also called Sangha Day or Fourfold Assembly Day, is a major uposatha or holy day observed by Buddhists on the first full moon day of the third lunar month, usually in February or March. "Fourfold assembly" refers to all followers of the Buddha - monks, nuns, men and women disciples.

On this day, devotees gather at temples, usually in the morning, bringing with them offerings of food and other items for the monks or nuns. Monastics chant the Ovada-Patimokkha Gatha, which is a summary of the rules of Buddha’s teachings. In the evening, there will be solemn candlelight processions, where monastics and devotees walk around a shrine, Buddha image or through a temple three times for the Three Jewels – The Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha. (O’Brien, 2017)

Asalha Puja Day ("Dhamma Day") This marks the day when the Buddha began teaching. Celebrated by Buddhists worldwide, it’s considered a time to reflect on the qualities of the Buddha and express gratitude for his teachings.

Abidhamma Day It is believed that on this day, Buddha had gone to the Tushita heaven to teach his mother, the Abhidhamma Pitaka. Celebrated on the full moon day of the seventh month of the lunar year, the festival is primarily celebrated in Myanmar. Being one of the special festivals, Abhidhamma Day is celebrated all over Myanmar. Oil lamps are lit at the pagodas dedicated to the Buddha. The Buddhist devotees pay homage to the pagodas from dawn to dusk by meditation and offer flowers, water and lights. (Bhalerao, 2017)

Vassa Vassa, the annual "rains retreat," is an annual three-month monastic retreat practiced especially in Buddhist tradition, usually beginning in July. The Vassa retreat is timed to coincide with the monsoon rains of India and Southeast Asia. During Vassa, monks reside within their temples at the same place. Devotees show their appreciation by supporting the monks with food and other necessities. They also practice vegetarianism, abstain from alcohol or smoking during Vassa.

On the full moon day of the eleventh lunar month, Vassa ends with the observance of Pavarana. Monks assemble together, and they tell the assembly where their practice fell short and their mistakes. Each monk invites the assembly to reprimand him, which is done in a compassionate and instructive manner. Vassa closes with the Devorohana ceremony, to welcome the Buddha back from celestial realms. (O’Brien, 2017)

Kathina Ceremony Kathina takes place every year in the four weeks following the end of Vassa, the rains retreat. According to the rules of the Vinaya, monks could not buy cloth, or ask someone for cloth, or borrow robes from another monk. Hence, devotees will offer cloth for robes and other necessities to monks during this time for them to sew new robes. (O’Brien, 2017)

18 4. Sister temple of Jayamangala Temple in Yangon, Myanmar

Fig 4.1 Offering of Kathina Robes

Fig 4.2 Meditation hall of sister temple in Yangon

5. Future of Jayamangala Temple Our interaction with Ven Dr Vicitta revealed that he has intentions to retire from his role as the Head Monk of Jayamangala Temple. Being in Singapore for more than 10 years, he is looking for his next successor and plans to return back to Myanmar. If there is no successor, the temple may cease its operations, losing a part of our cultural heritage in Singapore’s urbanized society.

6. Comparison with a Daoist Temple Buddhist and Daoist temples both serve important cultural and social functions in society, and involve worshipping a higher god. They also serve their fellow ethnicity in their community, with Jayamangala Temple providing support to the Burmese, and the Daoist temples taking care of their Chinese dialect groups in Singapore.

In comparison, Buddhist devotees believe in Enlightenment, while Daoist aims to be one with nature. To them, everyone has the potential to achieve this Enlightenment, as Buddhahood is not reserved for supernatural beings or select individuals. Thus, the monks can achieve Nirvana and free themselves from all the sufferings and cycle of life and death. With that focus, they do not engage in spiritual acts such as having a spirit medium, or procession, and focus more on meditation and concentration. On the other hand, spirit mediums are common in Daoist temples to communicate with the Gods from the spiritual world.

It is also observed that Buddhist temples have less rituals and performativity, mainly focusing on meditation, concentration, praying, and chanting. This is different compared to the Daoist Temples under Singapore’s Chinese Temple system, which organise more processions and rituals that are loud and colourful with music, incense, and styling.

7. Interview Transcript with co-founder of temple Group: What inspired the team to set up a temple in Singapore? Were there other founders beside you and Dr Rahul? Melissa: Ven Dr Vicitta (original name) graduated from degree in Sri Lanka that time and he wished to set up a temple for his ethnic in Singapore which had none. He hoped to continue his missionary here without any visa restrictions. All these culminates to a decision to set him a temple here. Both Ven Dr Vicitta and I are the main founders of this temple.

Group: Is this temple linked to the Balestier Burmese Buddhist temple? Melissa: We are not linked to the Burmese temple in Balestier nor any other temples here. That temple belongs to the Burmese ethnic, while ours are Rakhinese ethnic despite all from Myanmar. Myanmar has over 100 races. Regardless so, Burmese Buddhists pay homage and support their Sangha and temples regardless of race.

Group: Is this timeline correct? 2002 - Ven Dr Vicitta came to Singapore for a field trip after completing education in Sri Lanka. 2006 - He decided to set up temple in Singapore to spread Buddhism to Burmese living here 10 September 2009 - Successfully set up temple Melissa: Yes

Group: How many times did the temple move? What were the previous addresses? Melissa: We never moved and have been here since the beginning.

Group: What is the lease term of this current temple at 23 Jalan Mas Puteh? Melissa: 23A is every 3 years and 25A is annually.

21 Group: How is this temple linked to the main temple back in Burma? Does the main temple in Burma practice the same things as this temple? Are there any differences? If there is, what was the reason for the difference? Melissa: Jayamangala Buddhist Vihara started here and is the main temple. We started a new temple in Yangon a year later after getting a land there. The Buddhist practises are the same as practising Dana (generosity), Sila (precepts), Buddha-Dhamma (Buddha's teachings), Puja (chantings), Meditation and observing Buddhist events like Uposatha day, Magha Puja Day (Fourfold Assembly or "Sangha Day"), Asalha Puja Day ("Dhamma Day"), Abhidhamma Day, Vesak, Vasso (Rainy Retreat), Kathina (end of Rainy Retreat), Upasampada (Ordination of monks), as well as cultural festive occasions like Burmese New Year with a 'Respect The Elderlies' event, Water Festival, Cleaning Buddha images, house dana, blessings for newborns, new house, birthdays, home or hospital visits. We also offer advice and assistance to abused Burmese maids and workers here whatever we can, not excluding a host of devotees household problems like marital, relationship problems etc.

Group: Does the temple has any associations to any non-profit organisation or clubs? Melissa: No.

Group: Do you have a Chinese name for this temple? Melissa: Yes, we do. I was the one who came up with a Chinese name for this temple. 吉祥佛社 is the Chinese name for the temple. 吉祥 means Mangala as in Jayamangala. Jaya means victory. The name comes from a Buddhist text called Jayamangala Gatha (or 8 victories of the Buddha). 佛社 means Buddhist society. Actually, it should be 佛寺 due to some mix-up at registration time.