DEW 2020 | Part 2 - 24 May 2020

This morning’s DEW Dharma Enrichment Workshop had a powerful start with chanting of the Heart Sutra to seek great blessings and plant the causes for learning Buddha’s wisdom.

Venerable Bensi then guided us to recap the key learning points from the 16 May DEW :

1. Life challenges comprise immediate difficulties and those in future lives.

2. However, we have already met Excellent Teachers who are guiding us in Buddha’s wisdom, as well as many virtuous companions - in short, we are well equipped to overcome such life challenges.

3. When faced with difficulties, we can have the confidence to stay calm, knowing that the Three Jewels will be our guiding light and pillar of strength!

Next, Ms Dawn Chen shared with us Teacher’s discourse, comprising the following highlights:

1. When relying on the Three Jewels, be diligent in doing virtuous deeds (e.g care for and help others) and eliminate any afflictions that arise.

2. Constant practice of Mindfulness of Death will strongly motivate us in taking virtuous actions and preventing carelessness.

In line with Teacher’s guidance that True Dharma Cultivation involves repentance of past wrong doings and restrain against new ones, Venerable Zudao led us in the 35 Buddhas Repentance ritual. Through the ritual, we accumulated merits, and leveraged the Four Powers of (1) foundation (i.e taking refuge), (2) remedy (I.e recitation of Buddhas’ names), (3) eradication (I.e repentance of wrong doings) and (4) turning away from future wrong doings.

At the closing segment, Venerable Bensi reminded everyone that we all possess the ability and opportunities to turn unfavorable conditions into conditions for practice. Treasure these opportunities we already possess to transcend the odds to achieve the happiness we seek!

DEW participants (from SG and Malaysia) increased from more than 180 on 16 May 2020 to more than 300 in today’s DEW. Thank You and Rejoice everyone for participating !

Your enthusiasm in learning the Dharma gives the DEW Committee strong motivation to deliver better future DEWs !!