Welcome Speech by Ng Bee Wee, President of VMC on 18 November  2001
at Sri Lankaramaya Buddhist Temple on occasion of VMC Kathina Celebration.

Venerable Sirs, Sayalay, Sisters & Brothers in the Dhamma,

Good morning  and welcome  to this merit-making occasion of VMC Kathina Celebration !

This year Kathina is different from the past years.  It is different because this is the first time VMC has  its Kathina celebration outside its premises. It is also different because it was carried out in the midst of an-on-going retreat.  It is different because this is the first time VMC has  a special guests from the Sangha at its Kathina Celebration.

Indeed we are happy to have to with us, Sayadaw U Panditarama,  chief monk of  Panditarama of Myanmar gracing our Kathina Celebration. The 50  yogis are here because of him and I believe some of the Kathina participants too. As most of you already known. Sayadaw U Panditarama is a renowned Meditation master and is much sought after the world over. You may be interested to  know that  the setting up of VMC  is an  initiative by Sayadaw U Panditarama .

Besides, Sayadaw U Panditarama, we are equally happy to have we other four invited monks to our celebration. They are :

Ven Piyananda, chief monk of Sri Lankaramaya Buddhist temple. VMC owes deep gratitude to Bhante and the temple for providing us with retreat venue  as well as other convenience during  retreats. This year is the fourth year running that VMC continues to benefit from their kindness.

Ven Ratanasiri, religious  advisor of Tisarana Buddhist Association. Since making Tisarana premise available as retreat venue for VMC in 2000, Tisarana and VMC has been in close contact with each other.

And two venerable,  Ven. Sarananada and  Ven. Ratanamoli  from Sri Lankaramaya temple.

Needs no introduction is Sayadaw Pannanada, our religious advisor cum resident meditation teacher. Sayadaw has been with us since October last year.

To show our appreciation  to the venerables for gracing this occasion, please join me in saying  Sadhu  3  times

There is another person who also deserves 3 Big Sadhu. He is one of the founder members of VMC. He is also the first President of VMC and has served as VMC in that capacity for five consecutive years. Who is he ?

It now gives me great pleasure to announce the main Kathina sponsor for Year 2001, Mahasara David Cheong. Once again, please join me in saying 3 big Sadhu for this praiseworthy deeds of his.

Today Kathina is the first  project of the new Management Committee elected in September. The year plan has been finalized. Meditation - being our core business, u can expect a series of retreats in  next 12 months.  The next one is in Feb over the Chinese New Year holidays.

Complementing the retreats are Meditation Course for beginners to be held quarterly. New project in the pipeline is a welfare project in March and Noiviate Programme during the June school holiday..
 
So much for a little advertisement on the coming activities.

Without further ado, I would like to hand over the event to MC.
Sam, please.