Buddhist News BUDDHIST FELLOWSHIP SINGAPORE BUDDHIST WEST CENTRE HEART SUTRA LODGE CONCERT Venerable Thubten Chodron Vipassana Meditation Class Teaching Tour in Singapore Venerable Thubten Chodron gave a Dharma Talk at Buddhist Fellowship West Centre on “The Four Estab- lishments of Mindfulness” on 6 De- cember 2019. She explained how Buddhist mindfulness is different from the secular mindfulness that is increasingly widespread in popular culture, and the Buddha’s teachings on the four establishment of mind- The three-month Vipassana Medita- fulness – on the body, feelings, mind tion class commenced on 3 Novem- and phenomena – and how these ber 2019, 7pm. practices support the cultivation of wisdom and compassion for the Three-Day Amitoufo Mindfulness purpose of attaining liberation and Retreat awakening. For more details, visit www.buddhistfellowship.org. IMEE OOI & JSJG FOO HAI with Special Guests CH’AN MONASTERY The latest and an outstanding Foo Hai – NKF Dialysis Centre Buddhist musical production created and directed by Imee Ooi, the Heart Sutra Concert combines both traditional and The Singapore Buddhist Lodge held modern sounds. Presented a three-day Amitoufo Mindfulness Retreat from 13-15 December 2019, in eight languages by Imee, 9am-9pm daily at the Guanyin Audi- JSJG, special guests and torium. with dance accompaniment, this world standard Dharma TCM Clinic Opening concert promises to be a tru- The SBL Chinese Physician Free ly extraordinary experience. Clinic (Kim Yam Clinic) opened for Catch it on 11 January 2020 consultation on 12 December 2019. at the Esplanade Concert Its consultation services include Hall. TCM internal medicine, acupuncture and pain management. For more The Foo Hai – National Kidney www.apactix.com Foundation (NKF) Dialysis Centre details on registration and consul- was officially opened on 17 Novem- tation hours, please visit www.sbl. ber 2019, which caters to kidney SG BUDDHIST MUSIC org.sg. patients staying in the Ubi area. HUB Speaker pf Parliament, Mr Tan Ch- SAGARAMUDRA uan-Jin was also present to grace Tribute to the Wayfarers Project BUDDHIST SOCIETY the event. A cheque of $200,000 In recognition of how the Wayfarers’ was presented for funding to sup- music has inspired and led many Children & Teenage Dharma port kidney patients with subsidised people to Dharma, Happy Studio Course treatments. The Sagaramudra Buddhist Society is producing a tribute album to the has offered the Children and Teen- Wayfarers.Twelve specially selected age Dharma Course since 2001, songs from the Wayfarers albums where attendees; children between will be produced with the aim of in- the ages of 7 to 116 years old (Pri- spiring the younger generation and mary 1 to Secondary levels) can energising the Buddhist community. learn about basic Buddhist knowl- For more information on the project edge, practices and cultivate Bud- dhist virtues such as gratitude, com- and how you can support and con- passion and forbearance. For more tribute, please visit www.happypro- information, please visit www.saga- ductions.com.sg/wayfarers. ramudra.org.sg. PB For You Information 佛友资讯 33 p33 - News.indd 33 2019/12/20 16:36:49 INSPIRATION THE SONG OF TRANSIENCE WITH EIGHT SIMILES SIXTY SONGS OF MILAREPA Upon the arrival of autumn, Milarepa decided to leave Upper Lowo where he had been preaching the Dharma during the summer, and go to Di Se Snow Mountain. His patrons gave him a farewell party, circling round him, and made him offerings and obeisance. They said, "Be kind enough to give us, your disciples, some instructions and advice." The Jetsun then emphasised the transience of all beings, admonishing them to practise the Dharma earnestly. And he sang... The Song of Transience with Eight Similes Faithful disciples here assembled (ask yourselves): Rice grows in the vale below; "Have I practised the Dharma with great earnestness? Soon with a sickle it is reaped Has the deepest faith arisen in my heart?" This shows the illusory nature of all beings, He who wants to practise the Dharma This proves the transient nature of all things. and gain non-regressive faith, Think, then you will practise the Dharma. Should listen to this exposition of the Mundane Truths And ponder well their meaning. Elegant silken cloth Listen to these parables and metaphors: Soon with a knife is cut– This shows the illusory nature of all beings, A painting in gold, This proves the transient nature of all things. Flowers of turquoise blue, Think, then you will practise the Dharma. Floods in the vale above, Rice in the vale below, The precious jewel that you cherish Abundance of silk, Soon will belong to others– A jewel of value, This shows the illusory nature of all beings, The crescent moon, This proves the transient nature of all things. And a precious son– Think, then you will practise the Dharma. These are the eight similes. The pale moonbeams soon will fade and vanish No one has sung before This shows the illusory nature of all beings, Such casual words (on this), This proves the transient nature of all things. No one can understand their meaning Think, then you will practise the Dharma. If he heeds not the whole song. A precious son is born; The gold painting fades when it is completed– Soon he is lost and gone– This shows the illusory nature of all beings, This shows the illusory nature of all beings, This proves the transient nature of all things. This proves the transient nature of all things. Think, then you will practise the Dharma. Think, then you will practise the Dharma. The lovely flowers of turquoise blue These are the eight similes I sing. Are destroyed in time by frost– I hope you will remember and practise them. This shows the illusory nature of all beings, This proves the transient nature of all things. Affairs and business will drag on forever, Think, then you will practise the Dharma. So lay them down and practise now the Dharma. If you think tomorrow is the time to practise, The flood sweeps strongly down the vale above, Suddenly you find that life has slipped away. Soon becoming weak and tame in the plain below – Who can tell when death will come? This shows the illusory nature of all beings, This proves the transient nature of all things. Ever think of this, Think, then you will practise the Dharma. And devote yourselves to Dharma practice. Credit: Buddha Dharma Education Association Inc. Translation by Garma C.C. Chang PB For You Information 佛友资讯 51 p51 INSPIRATION.indd 51 2019/12/20 12:37:29 EVENTS SINGAPORE BUDDHIST FREE CLINIC TAMPINES BRANCH OPENING On 24 November 2019, the Singapore Buddhist Free Clinic (SBFC) celebrated 取之社会， its Golden Jubilee and the Official Opening of the Tampines Branch at Block 用之社会。 156, Tampines Street 12. This joyous millstone was graced by Mr Masagos Zulkifli, Minister for Environment and Water Resources and invited guests Benefit from Society, such as members of the Sangha and representatives from various Buddhist Return to Society. organisations, SBFC volunteers and patients. “For You, For Me” skit by Buddha of Medicine Welfare Society, The Vows Drama Group. Making it even more meaningful was the presentation of Long Service Awards, Devoted Buddhist Organisation Awards and Dedicated Individual Awards, to acknowledge the support and contribution of individuals and organisations. Island-wide Outreach This SBFC Tampines Branch is the eighth branch since the SBFC was established 50 years ago in 1969, when Singapore had just gained independence. Most of the general population then drew meagre salaries and could not afford medications, let alone good healthcare. The opening ceremony was enlivened by the “Welcome Empathetic and compassionate, Venerable Master Hong Lion Dance” performance by the Singapore Xuan Wei Choon and Venerable Master Chang Kai founded the Dragon and Lion Dance Troupe, “Copying the Heart first free clinic clinic in Putuo Temple in Tanjong Pagar to Sutra” dance by Pu Ti Buddhist Temple’s Pre-School help alleviate the situation. Dancing Class, “Planet is Our Home” and “Ehipassiko” choir performances by Compassionate Art Group and Due to overwhelming demand and popularity, as well as 52 For You Information 佛友资讯 53 p52- 53 EVENTS.indd 52 2019/12/20 12:32:38 the well-earned trust of the general public, SBFC’s first branch was added in 1972. In the following four decades and more, SBFC set up other branches in various housing areas to benefit more people. These include clinics located in the southwestern, central and northern parts of Singapore; providing Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), post-cancer treatment and counselling services to the public. SBFC has indeed come a long way – from the beginning with 3 physicians providing highly subsidised and free medical services to 25,000 patients in its first year of operation. Today, this has expanded to 40 physicians transformation strategies to keep up with changes in and serving 315,000 patients annually, out of which 75% staffing, charity governance and to keep up with times. of them are entitled to free medical care and services. Though SBC has recently been awarded the Singapore Prestige Brand Award 2019, the Board of Directors will After Dover Branch (the seventh) was successfully not rest on its laurels and will continue to lead its staff opened, SBFC began to actively search for an appropriate in overcoming various obstacles and challenges with location to serve residents in the east. Tampines, being perseverance so as be able to continue to serve the the largest HDB estate in the eastern part of Singapore, society. with more than 200,000 residents, and many senior citizens, became an ideal place to set up a branch as Expressing Gratitude demand for TCM is expected to be high as well.