Wat Ananda Youth... 41 years of journey... -- by Wat Ananda Youth

The first and oldest registered Buddhist youth circle in Singapore, Ananda Metyarama Buddhist Youth Circle underwent a metamorphosis to meet the needs of the next generation of Buddhist youths last November. The result is WAY or Wat Ananda Youth.

You can’t possibly miss it.

Even from a distance, you can just make out the chofah* that decorate its roof peeping above the HDB flats around it. As you approach the main gate, if you happen to pay a visit on Sunday, you will hear the harmonious chanting of Buddhist scriptures by children from its Sunday Dhamma class.

This is Wat Ananda Metyarama Buddhist Temple. You may not realize that, nestled amongst the blocks of public housing in Bukit Merah is a Buddhist temple older than the country herself. Its founder, Venerable Luang Phor Hong Dhammaratano, landed in Singapore in 1920 and came up with the idea of a Thai temple in 1923. The temple was completed two years later, and underwent numerous renovations and expansions in subsequent years. In 1985, H.R.H. Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, the second daughter of King Bhumipbol Adulyadej of Thailand, officially declared the opening of its new Pagoda.

On the 4th of November 2007, another significant event took place in the history of the temple. After months of work, a new Dhamma hall was renovated, and the opening ceremony was held. It marked the 41st anniversary of this first and oldest registered Buddhist youth circle in Singapore. Bro. JimmyVoon, current president of the youth circle was invited to give the opening address. Ananda Metyarama Buddhist Youth Circle was founded in 1966 by the then Chief Monk Phraku Bisaldhammanides. 40 years later, a fresh breath of life was injected into the group, which underwent a metamorphosis to meet the needs of the next generation of Buddhist young people. The result is WAY or Wat Ananda Youth. A new logo, in the shape of a 5-coloured footprint, symbolizes the energy and vibrancy of the youth. The vision of the new group is to propagate the Dhamma through spiritual friendship.

Recognizing that most of its members are working adults who place equal importance on material achievements and spiritual cultivations, new activities such as “Young Buddhist Networking @ the City?were organized for members to discuss both the mundane and the supra-mundane. Those looking for peace of mind in today’s hectic lifestyle will drop in on the weekly meditation sessions at the temple. Carrying on the tradition of Buddhist generosity to the less fortunate, regular community projects such as visits to the Red Cross Home for the Disabled and distribution of diapers/ milk feed and foodstuff to the elderly in the Bukit Merah neighbourhood were conducted. The Ehipassiko Chanting Group (ECG for short) provides free Buddhist chanting services during wakes, and spiritual support to the bereaved families.

WAY has also started 2 new courses - one by WAY’s patron, Mr Kweh Soon Han, titled “ABCs of Buddhism?and another by Bro Kwan titled “Pali Chanting for Beginners? For interested parties, please check out its website at http://www.way.org.sg or send them an email to way1966@gmail.com.

* the decorations at the tip of a Thai temple roof