Our Milestone

2021-2022

2021

January: Republished "Present" magazine.

February: Uploaded Advisor Venerable Fa Liang 31 Dharma Discourse Video "Chan Koan" to YouTube channel.

May: 《心经略释 - - 回头是岸》is translated and published in English titled《The Shore is Behind You》.

2022

-Adjust Adult Dharma Course Curriculum
After two years' of pandemic, the overall environment has made significant changes. Everyone's life, work and learnings have to be adjusted accordingly. Hence Sagaramudra has taken this opportunity to streamline and simplify our courses, so that Venerables and students can have better focus during classes and at the same time have more time for self-study.

We chose to teach in the most concise way and simplified the dharma course into 12 lessons for each module. With "Present" (Awareness) as the core theme, the holistic system of in-depth Buddhist education remains unchanged from Fundamental Dharma Course to Progressive Dharma Course.

March: Adjust the Fundamental Dharma Course 4 Modules Curriculum:
Module 1 Understand the Fundamentals of Buddhist Thoughts and Practices, "Present";
Module 2 Meditation;
Module 3 Heart Sutra, "The Shore Is Behind You1";
Module 4 Diamond Sutra, "Nothing is Indestructible".

May: Advisor Venerable Fa Liang Dharma Discourse Video《修行下手处》Volume 3 uploaded to YouTube.
Advisor Venerable Faliang published 《禅门公案—平常心是道》Part 1.

December: Advisor Venerable Fa Liang Dharma Discourse Video《修行下手处》Volume 4 uploaded to YouTube.

2011-2020

2011

The Four Ox Diagrams to match and compliment the gradual path of the Four Prayoga was launched. The purpose is to enhance one's understanding of the nature of impermanence, causality and emptiness of all phenomena and allows one to integrate this understanding into the practice of the Four Prayoga, thus, transforming the gradual path into a swift path towards Enlightenment.

2012

March: At the Annual General Meeting, Venerable Fa Liang handed over the role of the society's President to Venerable Fa Qian and commenced his new role as the society's Advisor.

August: A nutshell diagram that embraced the core essence of "being at the present moment" to encapsulate Hai Yin Chan system of practice was launched.

December: Published the "being at the present moment" booklet.

2013

January: "Present Moment" is put together as a book which elaborates on Sagaramudra's learning model that runs along a central theme ("The Present"). Combined with the Progressive Dharma education and introduction of retreats that focus on "Present Moment", it has dutifully carry out the dharma practices.

March: A new series of the magazine《目前》was published.

To offer a progression path to students who have completed the 5 modules in the Basic Dharma course and 8 modules in the Progressive Dharma course, a 8-modules Dharma Discussion course was introduced (to be completed in 4 years). This course put emphasis on discussion, research and carry out practice.

2014

January: A Chinese book titled "Piao Liang Zhuan Shen" (漂亮转身) was published. This is a compilation of more than 80 articles by the Society's Advisor, Venerable Fa Liang that was published in the Sagaramudra's Journal over the past 8 years.

Adopted anin-depth and systematic dharma education through the Basic Dharma course (5 modules), Progressive Dharma Course (8 modules) and Dharma Discussion Course (8 modules) using "The Present" as a core concept to groom students with talent in dharma practice and in the process establish the ethos of Sagaramudra.

English Dharma Classes: To use English as a medium to impart Mahayana Buddhist teachings.

Upon the completion of the Basic Dharma course (5 modules), an 8- modules Dharma Progressive class (to be completed over 4 years) was introduced.

February: The "Mahayana Varja Prajna Repetence" was published. This was extracted and compiled mainly from the "Mahayana Vajra Repentence Sadhana", "Song of Englightenment by Master Yong Jia", "Commentary of the Diamond Sutra" by Zen Master Dao Chuan and others. This is being chanted in the yearly Lunar New Year event.

2015

January: A book titled 《心经略释 - - 回头是岸》authored by our Advisor Venerable Fa Liang is published.

《漂亮转身》 is translated and published in English titled《The Splendid Turn》

2016

January: A book titled《金刚经略释 - - 无坚不摧》authored by our Advisor Venerable Fa Liang is published.

2017

February: A book titled 《六祖坛经略释――长空不碍白云飞》authored by our Advisor Venerable Fa Liang is published.

Streamline of Mandarin and English Fundamental Dharma Course to 4 Modules.

2018

May: A book titled《聚沙成塔》authored by our Advisor Venerable Fa Liang is published.

2020

Due to the outbreak of Covid 19 pandemic, the society decides to stop all activities for one year as a precautionary measure.

May: 13 Dharma discourse by Venerable Fa Liang was uploaded to YouTube to as a source of revision of what has been taught to them before and as a gift of Dharma.

2001-2010

2001

5-6 May: Organised a two-night Dharma talks by Master Yuan Fan at Kallang Theatre. Conducted in both Mandarin and English. Entitled, "Stress Relief in E-era Through Zen Meditation" (English);"Coping with the Process of Death and Rebirth with Zen Practice" (Mandarin).

2002

19 January: Celebrated "Guru Blessing cum 15th Anniversary Dinner" at Singapore Expo Hall 3. Mr Khaw Boon Wan was invited as Guest-of-Honour. About 6000 people attended the event.

14 April: Ground-Breaking Ceremony of Sagaramudra Buddhist Institute.

23 June: "Embedding of Treasure Vase" under the construction site of Sagaramudra Buddhist Institute.

July: Mr Khaw Boon Wan accepted the invitation to be our Society's Advisor.

2003

3 July: The "sealing the roof" ceremony of Sagaramudra Buddhist Institute was held to signify the completion of the construction.

August: Sacred Bodhi Tree, at Pulau Ubin, was uprooted and replanted at new building site of Sagaramudra Buddhist Institute.

October: A property at 574 Changi Road was bought to provide domicile for the Bhikunis and also as activities centre area for its members.

23 November: Consecration ceremony of the Buddha statues at Sagaramudra Buddhist Institute.

28 December: Food and Fun-fair Day. About 10,000 people participated in this event.

2004

Sagaramudra adopted a colored version logo. New symbolism and meaning was assigned to color representation.

March: Annual General Meeting was held. Master Yuan Fan relinquished the post of President of Sagaramudra Buddhist Society. Helm passed on to Venerable Fa Liang.

24 June: Charity opera performance "She Tai Jun Kang Hun", by Ping Sheh, at Victoria Concert Hall.

2005

5 June: Grand Opening Ceremony of Sagaramudra Buddhist Institute. Minister of State for Education, Mr Chan Soo Sen, is our Guest-of-Honour.

2006

September: Revamped the management of the society by introducing corporate management style in running the society. Future developmental plans and strategies and the action plans for these were reviewed concurrently.

2007

Mid of year 2007: Venerable Fa Liang, President of Sagaramudra Buddhist Society, was appointed as chairman of a working committee to promote educational services.

2009

8 November: To mark Sagaramudra Buddhist Society's 25th Anniversary, a celebration cum volunteer appreciation was held. A special edition of Shui Yue Journal, which featured an introduction to our society's recent development and transformation journey, was also published under Issue 57. Our President, Venerable Fa Liang, announced the society's future strategic direction and plans to our volunteers and lay disciples. Through providing a systematic long-term Dharma education, our society hope to provide guidance to transform people's mind towards virtuousness, purify the society and develop Sagaramudra's big Buddhist family.

In order to cater to those students, who intend to advance further in Buddhist studies, after completing the 5 Modules of our Fundamental Dharma Course, a 4-year Dharma Progressive Course that comprised of 8 Modules was launched.

2010

February: From Shui Yue Journal Issue 58 onwards, our journal would be presented with a specific theme-rich content to its readers. For a start, Sagaramudra's Four Principles would be divided into four themes for four issues of our journal, whereby relevant writings and articles on related learning experiences would be shared.

1991-2000

1991

22 February: Sagaramudra Buddhist Society was registered as a Charitable Organisation.

For the period of 1988 - 1992, lay disciples were elected as Presidents of the Society. They were Foo Say Phang, Sim Hee Sheng, Lee Kim Tiong and Ng Eng Hock.

1992

October: Master Yuan Fan assumed the position of President. He decided to propagate Buddhism through educational means and also to develop his Sangha by upgrading them through his training and development programme.

Received notification from the authority that the Singapore Government decided to acquire the land in Pulau Ubin to develop into a tourist attraction. The Society was relocated to the main island and rented a shop house along Sims Avenue as a temporary venue for activities. New courses were introduced at the new premises – which include Buddhist Studies, Buddhist Discourses, Buddhist Sutra Chanting sessions etc.

14 November: The Project Committee was formed and it actively raised funds for our new premises.

1993

May: The Publication Department was established and the first issue of 'Shui Yue' Journal was rolled out.

Other services were introduced; such as chanting services for our members' deceased relatives, wedding blessing ceremonies, taking of the Three Refuges and Five Precepts, and observation of Eight Precepts.

June: With increasing work-load, committee expanded from 6 to 10 members.

1994

November: Dharma Propagation Department and Support Department were formed.

25 December: Master Song Nian officiated the opening of our Guillemard Centre and performed the enshrinement ceremony of the 'Thousand Arms Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva'.

1995

The eminent Master Song Nian accepted the invitation to be our Society's Religious Advisor.

July: The Social Welfare Department was established to provide free medical consultation services to the devotees.

A new Administration Committee was formed to enhance and coordinate the functions of all departments.

1996

Our Advisor, Master Song Nian, proposed the setting up of Sagaramudra Buddhist Institute.

6 January: Sagaramudra held its first fund-raising dinner at World Trade Centre Hall. Member of Parliament, Mr Peh Chin Hua, was invited as the Guest-of-Honour. About 4000 guests attended the function.

May: Organised a grand exhibition at Suntec Convention Hall. Commemorative MRT cards were also launched.

Mr Peh Chin Hua was appointed the Society's Honorary Adviser.

July: The Executive Committee was further expanded from 10 to 15 members.

The Bursary Award Scheme was launched.

Meditation class, based on a more structured syllabus, was introduced for professionals to meet their needs.

1997

2 August: Prime Minister Mr Goh Chok Tong was invited as the Guest-of-Honour for the fund-raising dinner, "Thousand People's Banquet" at the World Trade Centre Hall 1. Six thousand guests turned up for the event. The fund raised was used for the building of the Institute and the society's Education Fund.

16 August: Master Song Nian passed away.

27 November – 3 December: A fund-raising Art exhibition was held.

December: Bhante B Dhammaratana kindly consented to be our Religious Advisor.

1998

The committee came to a consensus that the key positions of President, Secretary and Assistant be held by Sangha members.

1999

2 January: An anniversary dinner was held at World Trade Centre. Then Brigadier General George Yeo was invited as the Guest-of-Honour. Almost 6000 guests attended.

7 July: A plot of land located at No. 5, Geylang Lorong 29 was purchased for the construction of Sagaramudra Buddhist Institute.

September: the ratio of representation in the Executive Committee changed to 2 Sanghas to one lay member.

2000

6 May: Fund-raising opera performance by Ping Sheh at Victoria Concert Hall.

13-14 May: Master Yuan Fan gave a public discourse at Kallang Theatre. Topics were "Enhancing the quality and capability of a person through Zen practice"; "Solving our problems in daily life through Zen practice". The event was co-organised by NUS Buddhist Society.

An oil painting charity exhibition entitled, "Dance of the Millennium" was organised. Arts pieces by famous artist, Mr Tan Kay Nguan, were featured. He helped raised $50,000 for the building fund.

1981-1990

1988

8 October: Master Yuan Fan as Religious Advisor, led the Sangha and the lay followers from Sagaramudra Zen Monastery in Pulau Ubin to form Sagaramudra Buddhist Society (SBS). The main objective is to give the Sangha a place to call their own and also to benefit all Dharma followers. SBS was legally registered as a Society. Six lay members were elected to form the Executive Committee to promote the Society's objectives.

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