|
Vesak Message
By Ng Bee Wee
President
Management Committee
Sayadaw, Brothers and Sisters in the Dhamma
Vesak Day commemorates the Birth, Enlightenment and Final Passing Away of our Lord Buddha.
It is with a feeling of contentment and gratitude when I reflect how my life has changed so much for the better as a result of the Buddha's Dhamma and guidance from the Sangha. The same sentiments fill me as I stand here addressing you I prepared this speech.
I recalled in 1995 when the centre was first set up. I was among the first batch of yogis when VMC celebrated its opening. During the one-month stay, I have seen for myself and have benefited from the dedication & contribution of our pioneer members. Today, five years down the road, having help VMC weathered through many obstacles and difficulties, it is only appropriate that recognition and thanks be accorded to these unsung heroes and heroines of VMC. This explains and is the main motivation behind the Appreciation Award ceremony the follows this Opening Address.
The Management Committee would also like to take this opportunity to extend its appreciation to some of the other members who have contributed much to development and growth of the centre despite their later entry.
As it is now, VMC has still a long way to go to really lived up to its name as a Meditation centre. However we are encouraged by the many email & telephone enquiries, that VMC is gradually to be known as the centre that organize frequent retreats. Indeed, meditation and retreats are our niches. Around them, we built various affiliated activities
Much of our current activities are accomplished under considerable constraints, financial, manpower, know-how or otherwise. Most of all we need more people to come forward to allow a greater division of labour . As it is now, it is multi-tasking for many of our active members. For instance, our secretariat group is presently very shorthand with the leaving of Eng Joo and Hooi Theng for Myanmar for their spiritual pursuit. Also we are looking for people with good writing skill, in English and Burmese to start a newsletters. There is room for improvement in terms of our chanting, guidance to newcomers and making them feel welcome, cleanliness of the centre, event organizing etc.
I see the challenge ahead is therefore how we together can take VMC to greater height, to raise the quality of the activities to a higher level, and to see a systematic expansion and diversification of the range of activities which are sustainable.
In this regard, we shall need the continued support of our resident monk, Sayadaw Pannananda who despite the relatively 7 short months with us, has shown keen commitment to the goals of VMC,
As well as dedicated members & devotees
I sincerely hope that as time goes by the centre will gradually blossomed into a treasure house of Dhamma and Meditational practice and would one day earns the recognition as a Meditation Centre of Excellence.
Please join us to achieve this Dream for the benefit of all.
Happy Vesak !
|
|
