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Template:Singapore building infobox The Amitabha Buddhist Centre (fondly known as 'ABC' by its devotees) is a major Buddhist institution of the Gelug tradition of Tibetan Buddhism in Singapore. ABC is affiliated to the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT), an international non-profit organisation, founded by the late Lama Thubten Yeshe. The history of ABC can be traced to 1984 when Lama Yeshe first visited Singapore with Thubten Zopa Rinpoche. The centre is devoted to the transmission of Mahayana Buddhist tradition worldwide through teaching, meditation and community service with His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, as its spiritual patron. Activities of the centre include meditation retreats, Sutra recitation, social and welfare programmes, and publication of free Dharma books.

History of Tibetan Buddhism in Singapore

Originating from Tibet, Tibetan Buddhism or Vajrayana is a branch of Mahayana Buddhism. Besides Tibet, Vajrayana is the main form of Buddhism practised in neighbouring countries like Nepal, Sikkim and Bhutan. Its practice begins with the reception of an oral transmission of teachings from a Tibetan Lama (religious teacher). A follower is required to practise special techniques for transforming actions, speech and states of mind into the path of Enlightenment. During the 11th Century, many great Tibetan translators translated Buddhist scriptures into Tibetan, which were later codified into the Tibetan Kanjur and Tanjur (tantra). As Buddhism developed in Tibet, it branches into four major schools known today:[1]

Before 1959, not much was known of Tibetan Buddhism in Singapore as only the Chinese Mahayana form of Buddhism and Theravada Buddhism prevailed in Singapore then.[1] As Tibet was an isolated region and made nearly inaccessible by the high Himalayan mountains, Tibetan lamas had to take long and perilous journeys to travel outside of Tibet. Besides, many could not speak or write in English or Mandarin then.

Occasionally, Tibetan lamas and venerables would pass through Singapore on transit and stayed to give talks on Tibetan Buddhism. For example, a high Tibetan lama visited Singapore on 23 January 1949 while on his way back to China by sea. He was warmly welcomed at the Singapore Buddhist Lodge where over a hundred people gathered to listen to his Dharma talk on Tibetan Buddhism.[2] Since he could speak only Tibetan, a Chinese monk help to interpret his talk into Mandarin.

Dalai Lama

File:Tenzin Gyatzo foto 2.jpg
His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, is the Inspiration and Guide of the FPMT which Amitabha Buddhist Centre is affiliated with.

In 1959, a revolt against Chinese occupation in Tibet caused a fleeing numbers of Tibetan lamas and venerables to set up Tibetan Buddhist centres in Europe and America. In later years, Tibetan lamas and venerables and western teachers trained in Vajrayana tradition came to Singapore on visits and to teach. On July 1982, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, spiritual leader of the Tibetans made a stopover to Singapore while on a pilgrimage to the Borobudur temple in Indonesia. He is revered as being the human embodiment of Chenrezig, the Bodhisattva of Compassion, whose supreme wish is to bring happiness to all sentient beings. Often describing himself as a "simple Buddhist monk"[3], he often recite this short prayer for inspiration and determination wherever he goes:

For as long as space endures, and for as long as living beings remains. Until then may I, too, abide to dispel the misery of the world.[4]

His Holiness visited the Tse Toh Aum Nunnery, the Buddhist Free Clinic, had lunch with representatives of various religions and gave in English a public lecture on Buddhism while in Singapore.[5]

Media coverage

In recent years, Tibetan Buddhism was popularised in Singapore after the Dalai Lama won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989, and the wide support shown by Hollywood movie stars and rock singers for Free Tibet Movement in western countries. Hollywood films like Little Buddha, Seven Years in Tibet and Kundun also made Tibetan Buddhism better known. As a result, Buddhist centres were set up in Singapore following the major schools of Tibetan Buddhism such as:[1]

  1. Amitabha Buddhist Centre (Gelug)
  2. Karma Kagyud Buddhist Centre (Kagyu)
  3. Singapore Buddha Sasana Society (Sakya)
  4. Palyul Buddhist Centre (Nyingma)

Amitabha Buddhist Centre

History

A common feature of a Tibetan temple, the ubiquitous Mani wheels are also found at the centre. The inscription etched on each wheel reads: "Om Mani Padme Hum", the mantra of Chenrezig.

Amitabha Buddhist Centre is affiliated to the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT), an international non-profit organisation, founded by the late Lama Thubten Yeshe. The history of ABC can be traced to 1984 when Lama Yeshe first visited Singapore with his disciple, Thubten Zopa Rinpoche. Lama Yeshe had a very strong instinct about establishing a Dharma centre in Singapore that would greatly benefit a growing number of affluent Singaporeans.[6] After Lama Yeshe died in 1984, Lama Rinpoche took over the responsibility as its Spiritual Director. The Singapore centre was finally realised in 1985 but had no permanent base and its followers met in various venues such as Dharma Cakra Society and Cheng Beng Buddhist Society.[7]

Spiritual teachers

In 1987, Lama Zopa sent Venerable Thubten Chodron, an American Buddhist nun to Singapore as its Resident Teacher.[1] Before coming to Singapore, she taught Buddhism and meditation in countries like United States, Europe and Hong Kong. In Singapore, she worked tirelessly for over a year to spread the Dharma, teaching in schools as well as at different Buddhist societies. She also published several books such as Working with Anger, Open Heart, Clear Mind, Buddhism for Beginners et cetera.[8]

In 1988, the centre decided to organise the group as a Buddhist society under the name Amitabha Buddhist Centre and a small house at Butterfly Avenue was leased for use as venue for its activities. In January 1989, Amitabha Buddhist Centre was officially registered. In 2000, ABC decided to purchase a permanent home at Lorong 15 Geylang and an appeal was made for its funds. Due to increasing growth of its devotees, a new seven-storey Tibetan-styled building was later built in 2004 at nearby Lorong 25A and was completed in mid 2006, where it stands today.

The current Resident Teacher is Geshe Thubten Chonyi, who graduated with the highest Tibetan monastic degree of Geshe Lharam, the equivalent of a PhD after 17 years of intensive study at Sera Je Monastery in south India.[9] He was born in Nepal in 1962 and was ordained by Lama Yeshe in 1974. He has been with ABC since 1999.

Tulkus

A tulku is a Tibetan Buddhist lama who has consciously decided to be reborn, often many times, in order to continue his or her religious pursuits. The most famous example is the lineage of the Dalai Lamas. Some recent visits to Singapore by Tibetan tulkus affiliated to ABC are:

Tulku Tenzin Ösel Rinpoche

On 26 May 1991, Tulku Tenzin Ösel Rinpoche, a 6-year old Spanish boy, visited Singapore to join ABC members for Vesak celebrations, caused a stir among Singaporeans. When he was seven month old, his figure appeared in a dream of a close disciple of Lama Yeshe. The disciple sought him out and the boy was later officially confirmed as the reincarnation of Lama Yeshe by the Dalai Lama.[1] The story of the boy lama was later written in a book titled Reincarnation: The Boy Lama in 1996.[10]

Tulku Tenzin Phuntsok Rinpoche

On 16 April 2007, 4-year old Tulku Tenzin Phuntsok Rinpoche dubbed the Little Lama by devotees, visited Singapore and ABC, once again causing a stir among Singaporeans when over 10,000 people from all walks of life, including some Christians and Hindus sought blessings from Phuntsok Rinpoche.[11] He was officially confirmed earlier as the reincarnation of Geshe Lama Konchog by the Dalai Lama on December 2005.

Activities

The activities of the centre include meditation retreats, Sutra recitation, social and welfare programmes, and publication of free Dharma books. Some activities that ABC are known for are:

Hospice Under the Care of Amitabha Buddha (HUCAB)

Based on the principles of the preciousness of human life and compassion, a hospice volunteer group known as the HUCAB, actively reach out to the terminally ill patients and their families at Dover Park Hospice, to help them find peace and closure during their final stage of their lives.[12] A HUCAB volunteer who has served for three years said:

I get more than I give... The patients can feel our sincerity in helping although we are not professionally trained. A smile, a handshake or a nod from those who have difficulty speaking, is so encouraging — a kind gesture is far more precious than any valuable gift.[13]

Animal liberation

As one of the The Five Precepts taught by Gautama Buddha to his followers — "I undertake the precept to refrain from taking the life of living beings". ABC regularly purchased and liberated captive animals such as fishes, crustaceans and birds through a bi-monthly event as an active practice of compassion.[14]

The Maitreya Project

ABC is currently involved in a huge Maitreya Project to build a 152 metres (500-foot) tall bronze statue of the future Buddha, Maitreya (meaning "loving-kindness" in Sanskrit) at Kushinagar in northern India. This project is expected by Lama Zopa to bring economic benefits to India and also provide spiritual inspiration to those who visit it.[15]

Library and publications

ABC's resource library has an extensive collection of Mahayana Sutras and books on Tibetan Buddhism for borrowing. To promote the Dharma to local and overseas readers, the centre regularly publishes free Dharma books and newsletters that offer practical advice on spiritual practice to the public, Buddhist organisations and libraries. The centre has published over 50,000 books to give away with over 20 titles to date, including Illuminating the Path to Enlightenment by His Holiness the Dalai Lama.[16] The printing of free Dharma books, CDs or VCDs is made possible by voluntary donations by its members and the public.

See also

Notes

  1. ^ a b c d e Ong, "Growth of Tibetan Buddhism", pp. 172—174. Cite error: The named reference "Ong" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  2. ^ Sin Chew Jit Poh, January 24, 1949.
  3. ^ Fernandez, Percy. "I am a simple Buddhist monk: Dalai Lama". The Times of India. Retrieved 2007-08-10.
  4. ^ Farrer-Halls, "The Four Main Schools of Tibetan Buddhism", p. 119.
  5. ^ The Straits Times, July 30, July 31, and August 1, 1982.
  6. ^ "About ABC". Amitabha Buddhist Centre. Retrieved 2007-08-10.
  7. ^ Ong, "Amitabha Buddhist Centre", p. 176.
  8. ^ "Publications". Venerable Thubten Chodron. Retrieved 2007-08-10.
  9. ^ Lama Zopa, "Our Teachers".
  10. ^ By Vicki Mackenzie, "Reincarnation: The Boy Lama" (1996).
  11. ^ Newsletter of Amitabha Buddhist Centre, May/June 2007.
  12. ^ "Services - Hospice". Amitabha Buddhist Centre. Retrieved 2007-08-10.
  13. ^ Lama Zopa, "Community Outreach".
  14. ^ Lama Zopa, "Animal Liberation".
  15. ^ Zopa, Lama. "An Overview of the Project". The Maitreya Project. Retrieved 2007-08-10.
  16. ^ "Services - Publications". Amitabha Buddhist Centre. Retrieved 2007-08-10.

References

  • Ong, Y.D. (2005). Buddhism in Singapore — A Short Narrative History. Singapore: Skylark Publications. ISBN 981-05-2740-3.
  • Farrer-Halls, Gill (1998). The World Of The Dalai Lama. Illinois: Godsfield Press. ISBN 0-8356-0786-2. {{cite book}}: Check |isbn= value: checksum (help)
  • Epstein, Ronald B. (2003). Buddhism A to Z. California: Buddhist Text Translation Society. ISBN 0-88139-353-3.
  • Zopa, Lama (2005). Helping You Live Life Meaningfully. Singapore: Amitabha Buddhist Centre (Free distribution book).
  • MacKenzie, Vicki (1996). Reincarnation: The Boy Lama. Wisdom Publications. ISBN 0861711084.
  • MacKenzie, Vicki (1997). Born in the West: The Reincarnation Masters. Harper Collins. ISBN 0-7225-3443-4.
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