A hundred plus Lamrim students spent a very fruitful Saturday morning in the last weekend of September deepening their understandings of the concepts of Karma as they sat through yet another session of the “Dharma Enrichment Workshop” (D.E.W) organised by BW Monastery’s Bilingual Division.

What was slightly different during D.E.W this time round, was the participation of a number of students from the Monastery’s Chinese Lamrim classes. Conducted entirely in English and for the sixth time, the workshop did not deter Chinese students from signing up nor imposed learning difficulties for them even though many of them were not well versed in English. It was the determination to pick up more Dharma knowledge and the eagerness to seek out proactive means to reduce negative Karma that drew students to the session. And truly, the workshop benefited all who attended as it served out timely reminders that one can be in full control of the creation of Karma as long as one fully understood the concepts and is able to apply the teachings of Karma correctly in all situations and obstacles faced.

Led by Venerables Zu Dao and Zu Sheng, as well as Lecturers Glenda and Choon Lan, the workshop began with the concept of infinite lifetimes, in which the principle of Karma is firmly rooted. Because we continue to be in cyclic existence and for which past and future lifetimes exist, we will continue to be affected by all our past actions or causes and these will determine the conditions and effects we face today or in our future lives. After we have come to learn this basic principle, we should always bear this in mind and stop to contemplate, and be mindful of every action we take so that we can turn non virtuous actions into the virtuous. Once we are able to do so repeatedly, we will eventually be able to prevent sufferings or unhappiness, and positive actions of ourselves will then bring on happiness.

With lots of group discussion opportunities, sharings and presentations, even experiential role play acting exercises, D.E.W again was highly interactive and never a dull moment for all participants. Replacing rote learning with engaging learning where participants get to internalise concepts and pick up practical tips for daily life application, the workshop has once again proven to be most effective as an enrichment program enhancing and elevating Lamrim students’ Dharma learnings.

We will definitely look forward to more future sessions. Way to go D.E.W!