Objectives of MV Dhamma Fellowship

MV Dhamma Fellowship

Objectives

The objectives of the MVDF are:

to enhance the bonding of current students, ex-YMBA Diploma students and teachers through the various activities organised
to promote closer integration, caring and sharing amongst its members
to put into practice the teachings of the Dhamma

In order to achieve the above objectives, the following activities are proposed:-

1. Dhamma Education and Enhancement

a) Dhamma Talks

Speakers from within the temple as well as external sources will be invited to give talks and share their knowledge on Dhamma related topics based in particular, on rationality and applicability. In this way, our misconceptions and doubts can be reduced, and our knowledge enhanced. This would benefit both teachers and students alike.

b) Dhamma Studies Assistance Programmes

Teachers and students can form small study groups for discussions to help students to develop a better understanding of the Dhamma and to prepare them for the YMBA examinations. This will also provide opportunities for more interactions between the teachers and students. The teachers can also act as facilitators to motivate the students to become more actively involved in MVDF.

c) Dhamma Teaching

Mangala Vihara needs to constantly recruit new teachers to relieve those who wish to take a break and to replace those who decide to leave. In this way, the Buddhist Studies programme will not be hampered by any shortage of teachers. Through the MVDF, potential teachers from each batch of YMBA Diploma graduates can be identified and encouraged to take up this responsibility and duty of teaching the Dhamma in MV.

d) Dhamma Exchange Programmes

MVDF, being a newly formed group, can take the initiative to seek out innovative and constructive ideas in order to keep pace with changes in modern times. It can for instance, network with other Dhamma schools in Singapore as well as those in the region to gather feedback and fresh ideas to make improvements to its existing curriculum. This activity can be an eye opener for teachers and students when they experience first hand how other Buddhist schools conduct their lessons and organize themselves.

2. Spiritual Support

This activity is aimed at providing spiritual support to members in times of sickness or bereavement. Members can go in a group to visit a member who is sick to give support and comfort, and attend funeral wakes of members� relatives to show sympathy and offer condolences. MVDF members can also perform the Maranasati chanting and Transference of Merits to the departed at these wakes.

3. Small Scale Humanitarian Assistance

MVDF members can assist the needy and less fortunate people locally and in some of our neighbouring countries by providing material support of food, medicine, clothing and other basic necessities. Small groups can be organized to visit places in Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines, in collaboration with other aid groups or other contacts in these countries. Small scale relief efforts may also be made to nearby disaster stricken areas.

4. Events Organisation

In our effort to promote a better understanding of Buddhism, visits will be organised for members to visit the birthplace of Buddhism in India and other holy or historical sites in countries such as Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Thailand. Such excursions will further enrich the educational and spiritual development of the participants and also foster closer bonding and a sense of belonging amongst the members.