Awesome DEW November 2025!
It was the first time ever that BW Monastery’s Dharma Enrichment Workshop (DEW) was held across the border at Ban Foo Monastery!
A total of 316 participants from both BW Monastery Buddhist College (269 participants) and Ban Foo Buddhist College (47 participants) came together to organise & attend a 2-day DEW from 22 to 23 November 2025, with overnight stay at Ban Foo Monastery in Ulu Tiram, Johor.
The retreat began on a quiet, serene morning at 6am with a memorization practice of the Eight Verses on Mind Training. This was followed by the ritual of taking the Eight Precepts,presided over by Venerable Jing Yuan. His warm and insightful discourse on the seven benefits of upholding the Eight Precepts further uplifted everyone’s joy and strengthened their motivation — “I am here to attain perfect enlightenment!”. Venerable reminded participants of the key statement: “我用成佛的动机来参加今天的课程” (i.e. I am attending today’s lesson with the motivation of attaining Buddhahood).
The theme for this DEW is The Dharma Meditation Camp, with content centered on adjusting our minds by learning from the personal Dharma practice and compassionate guidance of Master Jih-Chang and Teacher Zhen-Ru. In addition, participants also enhanced their appreciation of the importance of relying on excellent teachers, the most essential foundation in the stages of the path to enlightenment. During the lectures conducted by Senior Lecturers Adeline Tay, Jennifer Goh, Dr. Pua Hwee Leng, David Sim and Venerable Ben Wen, and Paige Wang (on Insightful praise), participants learned and discussed:
• The good qualities and skilful guidance of our excellent teachers,
• Cultivating gratitude towards fellow practitioners, and
• Connecting heart to heart with our excellent teachers through Insightful Praises.
The outdoor animal liberation of 100 birds, accompanied by the chanting of Om Mani
Padme Hum in chorus with Teacher’s voice, deeply touched many participants’ hearts. It reminded everyone how fortune we are to have encountered the precious Dharma and inspired us to treat all other sentient beings with greater loving-kindness.
The learning experience in DEW was also made joyful with the lively engagement of the emcees (Jereme Wong and Rosalind Lee), as well as activities that encouraged participants to cultivate their minds while joyfully serving others. Adequate rest periods were thoughtfully planned to space out everyone’s learning. The DEW concluded on a joyous note, with many participants expressing enthusiasm for future retreats at Ban Foo Monastery.
Kudos to the organising committee for their heart work in Dharma propagation! Let’s continue to stay connected and look forward to more activities and camps from the English Department!