1D1N 8-preceptors meditation Retreat

A total of 22 participants attended this retreat held on May 1 to May 2 (morning) at Mahindarama Buddhist Temple.   Thanks to the volunteers who assisted in this project, the participants a combination of beginners, experienced meditators and ocassional meditators had an opportunity to calm down and experience guided sitting meditation, walking meditation, metta bhavana and  listen to a  Dhamma Sermon on "How to use Meditation in Daily Life" whilst observing the 8 precepts.  The group interview sessions conducted by the Meditation Master Bhante Pannyavaro of Sydney with his decades of meditation experience and knowledge served well to the variety of questions from the participants on the uncertainties to be clarified. 

The support team included :-
Prior to event :
Name Tags : Alicia Toh
Camp handbook : Surya

Housekeeping of domitories : Siew Choo & Mrs Lim  assisted by : Jayson, Stuart, Angie, Joanne Loh, Karen Loh
F & B : Siew Choo & team

Actual Day :
Reception & Check-in Boo Hock, Angie, Ms Goh Chey Hwang
Kapiyya (morning shift) : Jayson Chong
Kapiyaa (afternoon shift) : Neoh (participant)
Meal Contemplation :  Boo Hock
Interview Sessions Khoo Boo Hock, Angie, Ooi Ai Hwei, Ms Goh Chey Hwang, Kim
Dhamma Sermon : Pei Chen, Christopher, Jesline, Boo Hock & Ai Hwei
Overnight duty : Jastin Fong & Surya
Morning Duty : Boo Hock, Hock Chye & Jesline together with F&B team

ALERT WORKSHOP at Penang on May 8 & 9, 2010

Thanks to Bro Sunny Foong of Mahindarama Sunday Pali School as the Organising Chairman of the ALERT WORKSHOP assisted by his able team which included Sis Lye Yue Jing, Sis Lim Lay Bee, Bro Ch'ng Gim Teik, Sis Mee Li, Sis Ooi Ai Hwei, Sis Cheah Bee Hui, Sis Goay Gnoh, Sis Esther Ooi, Sis Seok Wan, Bro Peter Saw, Bro Chih Chiang, Bro Boo Hock (sorry can't remember all the names) this workshop attracted almost 200 participants and was successful in creating awareness on how to be ready and prepared in case of an emergency e.g. natural disaster. Speakers shared theory and hands-on activities to allow experiential learning.

Sessions included : 
Day 1
Spirituality in Times of Crisis by Venerable Mahinda, Spiritual Director, Aloka Foundation
Living & Survival Skills I by Mr James Attygalle, Petaling B Rovers Troop
Community In Action by Ms Eriko Motoyama , Committee of Bukit Antarabangsa Resident Association
Psychological First Aid by Ms Low Mi Yen, Clinical Psychologist
 Living & Survival Skills II by Mr James Attygalle, Petaling B Rovers Troop

Day 2
Triage Management by The Malaysian Red Crescent Penang Branch
Environmental Hard Facts by Mr Ivan Ho, Bandar Harapan Consultant
The Next Step - What Can YOU Do? by Venerable Mahinda, Spiritual Director, Aloka Foundation

To all Mahindarama Buddhist Temple functional groups, stay tuned for a locally tailored programme on readiness to announced later this year.