VMC Novitiate 2002
24 November - 1 December
This was the first time Vipassana Meditation Centre (Singapore) organized VMC Novitiate programme. Resident Monk Sayadaw Pannananda acted as preceptor for the Novices. 16 boys aged from 7 to 19 had successfully completed the Novitiate Programme from 24 November to 1 December 2002.
Sayadaw Pannathami was at VMC, he also helped and taught the novices during the Novitiate programme.
"I felt sad on the first day, I have to cut my hair. It was quite fun staying here. Everyday, I must get up at five and sleep at nine. Almost everyday I could not get enough sleep" ... Shin Janappiya (Wa Thann Ooo).
Participants, parents, helpers and friends listened to the opening speech by Sister Koe Lian Sim and Sayadaw Pannathami at the Opening Ceremony.
Dr Tin Maung Maung Than provided translations and assisted the novices on the stage. Novice requesting for the 10 precepts.
VMC President Sister Koe Lian Sim (centre), Novitiate organizing Chairman (4th from right), working committee and helpers took a group photo in font of the new novices and Sayadaws.
Dhamma helpers were ready to assist the novices for their first alms round at VMC compounds.
After the opening ceremony, parents and friends offered requisites and gifts together with their best wishes to the novices and Sayadaws.
There were Dhamma lessons, sitting and walking meditations, talks on application of dhamma to daily life, meeting parents session, Pali study and self study and personal session with mentor during the Novitiate 2002.
Sayadaws tought the novices the Singalovada Sutta, Metta Sutta and Mangala Sutta etc, and meditation as well.
"Everyday, we meditate for 3 hours, and went for chanting together..." ...Shin Mahananda (Myo Paing soe)
"I am glad to be a samanera. We learn how to meditate." ... Shin Kulapati (Chan Mya Lwin).
"I learn how to meditate and respect the Buddha, Dhamma, Sangha, Parents and Teachers. I learn about the life story of the Buddha and how Buddha gains enlightenment...We had to wake up in the morning at 5 am to wash our face and then went downstairs to chant. After the chanting, we learn to meditate, it was so hard. I had no patient at all that I had to move around in all kinds of way." ...Shin Punna (Pon Nya Oo).
"Meditation had been a wonderful thing for me as I don't have to think about worldly affairs, and only peace and serenity empower my mind."... Shin Kalyana (Maung Kaung Htat Win).
"The meditation session has cleaned my mind and thought. Somehow I had felt lighter, less worries and know how to solved my problems." ...Shin Mahosadha (Maung Min Zeya Phyo).
"Sometimes I find it very hard to meditate at a certain period of time, like in the afternoon, when you have walking and sitting meditation and then the Dhamma talk. After the Dhamma talk is walking and sitting meditation again, and after this is another talk. This is all just TOO Stressful!." ... Shin Soma (Kaw Myo Hein)
"It is good to be a samanera... I feel so good and shy when people pay respect to samenera. Samenera must observed ten precepts... On the second and third day, I did wrong things and I got a mint. Don't think mint is the sweet mint, mint is knocking on head. I got it ten mints between two days...On the third night I hope no mint or sweet will come to me tomorrow. I did it on Thursday, no mint or sweet was come to me..." ...Shin Mahinda (Myo Khin)
"I think my stay at VMC was quite fruitful. I know more about Buddhism and I appreciate it more now. The chanting lesson were quite interesting but the meditation session were quite boring. More than once I almost fell asleep. I found out that my mind could drift off very easily." ... Shin Juti (Soe Thurein Kyaw).
Sayadaw Pannananda conducted Pali Study for the Novices.
"The chanting is another factor that always gets on my nerves. I do not know why but the Sayadaw just keep asking us to repeat the same sentence again and again ever after we have memorized it completely..." ...Shin Soma (Kyaw Myo Hein).
"The Pali lessons and Dhamma lessons are very educating. Now I understand clearly why we chant and study the Dhamma." ...Shin Mahosadha (Maung Min Zeya Phyo).
"To be honest, the breakfast and the lunch is undeniably delicious. Yum Yum. Good" ...Shin Soma (Kyaw Myo Hein).
"Not to forget the Dayakas and helpers, who wake up 4 am in the morning to prepare breakfast, then the lunch, I must say the food is all very good and delicious. The special thanks must go to the organizers and the parents who have made this programme a successful one." ...Shin Mahosadha (Maung Min Zeya Phyo).
"I like the lunch time, breakfast time and rest time, but after we have eaten we are tired to do but to sleep. The rest time is very short so continually feeling tired." ... Shin Narapati (Maung Toe Wai Phyo).
"I like breakfast, lunch, dhamma classes, walking meditation, sleeping time, wake up call, the teachers and helpers in this place. I like the things they give me. But what I don't like is I miss my mother." ...Shin Ghosita (Jonathan Seah Kai Jun).
"Our mentor are also very kind to us I felt so happy. I wish this centre to be bigger. There is peace too and I made many new friends. I felt pity for some people who cry because they can't see their parents. I also get to learn about how the "Buddha" became Buddha. I hope there will be more video to watch. I dislike doing walking and sitting meditation." ...Shin Samvara (Myo Thet Tun)
"I feel very happy, and sometimes I feel sad and I cry." ...Shin Pannajiva (Pannajiva Quek Hui Ying).
"Then, at the end of the day, we will fell very homesick, but according to Buddha, you must have no attachments in this world to be free from suffering. So we gradually forget home. Through the meditation and chanting. I have found a different me: Calm, forgiving and mindfulness." ...Shin Mahananda (Myo Paing Soe)
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