VMC Novitiate 2002
24 November - 1 December
Sayadaw Pannananda taught the novices how to love and take care of the environment at clean up session.
VMC invited Bhante K Gunaratana, Religious Adviser of Mahakaruna Buddhist Society to give dhamma talk to the novices.
Afternoon, Dr Tin Maung Maung Than told life stories of Buddha to the novices.
"We got chance to listen to Buddha stories. The people serve us nicely. To be a semanera is a good thing" ...Shin Kulapati (Chan Mya Lwin).
"Some of the lessons are boring except for life stories of Buddha, mentor session and resting session." ...shin Narapati (Maung Toe Wai Phyo).
"I get to learn about how the "Buddha" became Buddha. I hope there will be more video to watch." ...Shin Samvara (Myo Thet Tun).
Senior Buddhist friends from different professional fields were invited to share their experiences and to give talks on application of dhamma to daily life to the novices as well.
"We should be loving, compassionate, appreciate the joy of others and be calm. When a person is angry, he should try to help someone because happiness come in and anger goes out and one could not feel opposite feeling at one time. Live your live well, don't spend it all on attachment. Buddha point the way, but only you yourself can walk on the Path to Enlightenment." ...Shin Kalyana (Maung Kaung Htat Win).
"From the experience of being a samanera, I would say that I have become more knowledgeable of the real meaning of true hapiness and what obstacles are on that Path. I had helped understand myself better, given me wisdom and also friendship." ...Shin Kalyana (MaungKaung Htat Win).
"My judgment will be different and I will try to be happy and peaceful. Modern society is corrupted our mind, people always try to make themselves happy with wealth and power. They do not understand the true meaning of happiness with Dhamma (teaching of Buddha). I hope they find happiness." ...Shin Iddhi (Ok Kar Oo).
"As time went by, I became more relaxed and was soon friends with other monks." ...Shin Mahananda (Myo Paing Soe).
"We were so quiet and dare not talk as we don't know each other. The oldest monk encourages us to talk so to know each other. After we know each other we talk and talk so much the oldest monk regretted that he encourage talking. As day past, by today was the last day, and I am glad that I learn something in the end. I am happy to leave." ...Shin Punna (Pon Nya Oo).
"I like to thank the Sayadaws who have taught us and guided us. They show me the correct way of live without attachment and practice Buddha teaching..." ...Shin Mahosadha (Maung Min Zeya Phyo)
"I find this novice's programme very useful because I have discovered many new things that I had never known before... I have also discovered the meaning of mindfulness..." ...Shin Soma (Kyaw Myo Hein).
"The mentor sharing session is one of the wonderful time I had for the whole programme. During this time, I asked the questions that I am not clear during Dhamma Lesson. The mentors are wonderful and caring to be patience with us, They share the stories of Buddha that I day I will share it with my friends." ...Shin Mahosadha (Maung Min Zeya Phyo).
"Through the meditation and chanting, I have found a different me: calm, forgiving and mindfulness." ...Shin Mahananda (Myo Paing Soe)
"The day before the closing ceremony, we went to Burmese's temple, Chinese temple and Esplanade, go Esplanade is the lousy idea, it is embarrassing." ...Shin Narapati (Maung Toe Wai Phyo).
"On Saturday, we went outing, it was fun and exciting." ...Shin Mahinda (Myo Khin).
"This novitiate programme is very enlightening. There were so much about Buddhism that I did not understand. Now, I become very clear about it. I am glad to be a Buddhist." ...Shin Iddhi (Ok Kar Oo)
"I have found out that Dhamma actually understands the truths about our lives." ...Shin Soma (Kyaw Myo Hein).
"The trip to the Chinese monastery was very interesting. I know more about Mahayana Buddhism now. And the temple is also very big. It took us 1 hour to explore everything." ...Shin Juti ((Soe Thurein Kyaw).
"The one-week of this monkshood has educated and enriched with knowledge of Buddha and Buddhism." ...Shin Mahosadha (Maung Min Zeya Phyo).
"The trip to the Esplanade was embarrassing. We got a lot of funny looks from people who have never seen a monk before. We were indeed the centre of attention. A couple also took photographs of us when we haven't looking." ...Shin Juti (Soe Thurein Kyaw).
"Today we have come to the end of the novitiate programme. It gives me great joy to congratulate all the samaneras who have successfully completed the programme. I hope that it was a meaningful experience for each of you samaneras. It must have been difficult sometimes to find the faith and energy to carry on with the programme but you did. Please remember that the first time is usually difficult as you do not know what to expect. It will be easier next time. Let me share my own experience with you. I remember the very first vipassana retreat I attended. It was also for about ten days. How I suffered! To have to wake up so early, to try and be mindful all the time and to refrain from talking and joking. But fortunately I did not let that experience discourage me. i went again and again for vipassana retreats and as I grew in the dhamma and realized the benefits of the practice, I thank my lucky stars that I did not give up..." ...Koe Lian Sim, President, VMC.
"So I hope that like me, you will also appreciate the time you have spent here in this novitiate programme and continue to be with the dhamma. Remember don't ever give up. Continue to strive in Sila, Dana, and Hbavana and one day, you will surely be well rewarded." ... Koe Lian Sim, President, VMC.
"On Sunday as it was the last day, the war was over like happiness come to me." ...Shin Mahinda (Myo Khin)
"What I like and what I do not like? Well, I like a lot of things and do not like many things too. What I like about this programme is that you can get great food... That's it. I guess there is more things that I dislike than the things I like. Many of my friends who joined theis novice programme like the older monk and the younger one. The younger punishes us when we do soething wrong, while the older monk is like a real generous and kind person to us. He did not punish us neither he scold us. The younger monk gives us punishment, which he names them as "Mint" Japan hill and sweet. The translation is mint for a hard knock on the head, Japan hill is bending down with only your foot on the ground for a very long time...Although this programme is stressful and boring, I gained a lot of knowledge from it. Like now, I know how to chant more prayers, why do we have to respect our parents and more.... well, whatever other people say about this programme I will still mis this place which will be in my heart forever." ...Shin Siddhi (Theidi Ko Ko).
"We also had a lot of fun. Especialy in the dometries. We nicnamed a novice monk Shin Soma "Gandhi". The reason is because he looked as if he was Gandhi. Sayadaw said I had laughed more in this programme than in the last 2 years. I hope you will publish this in the VMC Website." ... Shin Juti (Soe Thurein Kyaw).
"I would like to thank all of you samaneras for giving all your parents and dhamma workers a chance to accumulate merits... I would also like to thank Sayadaw, the organizers, dhamma workers and parents who have put in so much effort to make this very first novitiate programme a success. We hope to organize more novitiate programme in future and we look forward to your participation. May we all continue to strive on the Noble Eightfold path and not give up halfway. Thank you." ...Koe Lian Sim, President, VMC.
Another way of communication by Novice "Mmm..." ... Shin Punnakiti (Phyo Si Thu, Pandita)
One novice used drawings to express his thoughts and feelings.
Novices received their certificates of participation from the preceptor Sayadaw Pannananda. Sayadaws Pannathami and Sayadaw Pannananda, parents and friends, helpers and supportors and all were happy. All rejoiced together for the sucessful completion of Novitiate 2002. Saddhu!
Back to Previous VMC Novitiate Page.
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Webpage compiled and produced by Jimmy Quek.
Dedicated to Sayadaws Pannathami and Sayadaw Pannananda, and 16 novices and parents and VMC management committee.
For making comments, please email to: jimmy@prabhakara.com Thank you.