Just a little general interest information in case anyone is looking for an intensive meditation retreat.

The Vipassana International Centre has a 10 Day course in English/Mandarin coming up at St John’s Island from 19 to 30 Nov.

You can click through from that page for full details of the retreat, which is free. It begins with basic techniques and you are guided in your development to a final day of meditation on loving kindness or goodwill to all. Meals are vegetarian.

Vipassana, which means to see things as they really are, is one of India’s most ancient techniques of meditation. It is non-sectarian and is taught as a way of self-transformation through self-observation. It focuses on the deep interconnection between mind and body.

A report on the recent members’ dinner by Shrine chairman, Chua Yang Liang:

Oct 7 2008

The hall has been nicely decorated with streamers welcoming guests. The usual tables have been specially covered with plastic sheet, protecting the yellow fabric beneath that functions as a table cloth. Dining tables with red plastic chairs of eight or more have been neatly laid out along the walkway. All these arrangements have been single-handedly done by none other than Uncle Cheok, a big and industrious man who has been with the Shrine for many years.

Members began pottering in as early as half past six. They have been invited for a celebratory meal this evening. At seven sharp, our Spiritual Master emerged from her retreat to welcome all present. As usual, her soft spokenness and gracious mannerism warm the hearts of those around. Smiles across faces as she looks to them.

Brother Tick Koon, upon instruction from Master, delivers a speech on her behalf. He spoke in the members’ most commonly used language - Teochew.

He reads:

Good evening everyone, this message that I am delivering, is from our Spiritual Master.Our Master is happy to see everyone here tonight. The key reason for organizing tonight’s event is to mark her successful achievement of her life-long pursuit towards the understanding of the five life elements - birth, old age, sickness, death and suffering, and the three Buddhist treasures of the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha. She confessed that she has been delaying this event out of modesty but upon receiving reminder again from the Spiritual Master of her lineage himself; she has finally relented and invited everyone to share the joy of her success. This day also coincided with her embarkation on this spiritual journey some 40 years ago. This day also marks the 33rd anniversary of the establishment of the Moh Hong Buddhist Shrine Prayer Group.

As a matter of clarification, our gathering here today is not in any way associated with the celebration for the Ninth Guardian that is observed by many on this date. Instead, it is to mark the successful completion of what she set out to do, in her words “有头有尾”.

This celebratory dinner is to share the good fortune and prosperity with you all tonight. Thank you and may you enjoy the meal with true understanding.

The speech concluded with a wave of spontaneous applause and congratulatory wishes by the members who stood in line, waiting patiently to personally congratulate our Spiritual Master before leaving the hall to partake the vegetarian spread that was neatly placed along the walkway.

The mood remains high and spirited throughout the evening. By almost ten, the crowd had thinned, leaving the few familiar faces to tidy up the shrine. Indeed, gratitude to everyone who helped prep the Shrine before and after the event.

For those present that night, fortunate are we to witness this event and blessed are we to have partaken in this celebration. Pictures from the night are online here.