What to Expect
Join Venerable Ani Chodron from Thekchen Choling for an enlightening session on Buddhist Reincarnation. This program will offer an introduction to the main tenets of Buddhism, with a special focus on the concept of rebirth, or Samsara, and how it shapes the understanding of life and the cycle of existence. Participants will also explore the significance of pet blessings within the Buddhist tradition and how they are related to the reincarnation of animals.
In addition to the teachings, you’ll enjoy a short tour of Thekchen Choling temple, where you can experience the serene atmosphere and learn more about Tibetan Buddhist practices. The session will conclude with an open Q&A, allowing you to ask any questions you may have about reincarnation, Buddhism, and the temple’s unique practices. It’s a wonderful opportunity to deepen your understanding of this fascinating tradition and engage with the community in a meaningful way.
About My Prayers and Practices
Every F1 season, we will see 10 religious leaders standing along the racing track to bless the road. We can typically identify the leaders of our own faith but there are religions in Singapore which are less heard of, though they are celebrated by some of our local communities. As a multicultural melting pot, many religious communities have taken root and established their practices on our little red dot.
From the Jains and Zoroastrians to the Jews and Orthodox Christians, we hope that participants can join us on a soul-nourishing journey to the places of worship of the major religions in Singapore and learn about their birth, coming-of-age, marriage and death prayers and practices. We hope that such tours will enable us to explore and negotiate our own sense of self and appreciate our religious diversity in Singapore.
Through these tours, we hope participants have a deeper understanding of race, religion and social cohesion. We hope you will gain multiple perspectives and connect your own stories of multicultural and multireligious heritage with those of others. Through facilitated dialogues with the religious leaders, we hope to provide opportunities for participants to engage site hosts in candid and heartfelt conversations.
About the Organisation
Thekchen Choling is a Vajrayana Buddhist temple founded by Singha Rinpoche with the goal of spreading the teachings of Buddhism to both ordained and lay followers. Established in 1999, the temple began in a small rented space and has since grown into a prominent spiritual center in Singapore.
While rooted in the Vajrayana Gelug tradition, Thekchen Choling embraces the Rime (non-sectarian) movement, promoting understanding of both Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism.
Over the years, Thekchen Choling expanded to various locations before settling in its permanent site at Beatty Lane in 2006. The temple is dedicated to helping individuals discover inner peace and fulfillment through the practice of Dharma, and it is known for its significant cultural and spiritual contributions.
Meet your Host
Venerable Ani Thubten Chodron is a senior Buddhist nun and a long-serving resident sangha member at Thekchen Choling Singapore. Ordained in 2004, she was among the earliest disciples of Singha Thekchen Namdrol Rinpoche, having met him in 1994. Inspired by Rinpoche's guidance and her desire to serve the Dharma more fully, she embraced monastic life after a decade of lay practice.
Ani Chodron plays an active role in Thekchen Choling’s educational and spiritual programmes. She conducts Dharma courses such as “Exploring Buddhism,” covering foundational topics like the Wheel of Life, the Four Noble Truths, and Mahayana mind training. She also conducts practical workshops, including sessions on water bowl offerings and other devotional practices. As an active ambassador, she has led in orientation programs and guiding tours for those interested in learning about Buddhism.
Beyond teaching, Ani Chodron is deeply involved in community outreach. She has represented Thekchen Choling in charitable efforts, such as presenting donations to local initiatives supporting the underprivileged. Her compassionate and approachable demeanor has left a lasting impression on visitors, who often describe her as humble and welcoming.
Through her dedication to both spiritual practice and community service, Ani Chodron exemplifies the values of compassion and wisdom central to Thekchen Choling’s mission.
Who should come?
- Everyone is welcome to participate! Participants 12 years and under must be accompanied and supervised by a parent/guardian at all times.
Programme Details
- Approximate Duration: 2 hours (Please arrive 15 minutes before the tour for registration)
- Language: English
- Meeting Point: Meet at the Entrance of Thekchen Choling (2 Beatty Lane, Singapore 209945)
- Ending Point: The event will start and end at the same point.
- The events will proceed rain or shine.
What to bring?
- Participants should be dressed respectfully in smart casual (i.e. collared shirt, long pants and covered shoes). Sleeveless attire, shorts/miniskirts or sandals are strictly not allowed. Participants will be denied entry if they dress inappropriately.
- Participants should bring along an umbrella and a bottle of water.
- Please ensure that you bring along any personal medication. Asthmatic individuals are reminded to bring their inhaler.
Other important information
- Limited Parking is available along Tyrwhitt Road.
- The venue is not wheelchair friendly.
- Photography is allowed during the event.
Disclaimer
- All ticket sales are final. There will be no refund if you wish to cancel your tickets.
- Each ticket admits only one participant.
- By agreeing to participate in the tour, every participant will be responsible for any injury, loss of damage due to careIessness of other actions on his/her part or that of children under his/her charge.
- Participants must abide by the house rules set out by the host. Facilitators will brief participants at the start of the programme.
- Videos and photographs may also be taken during the event. By registering for this event, you give My Community full rights to use the photos for marketing and publicity.
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- Follow us at @mycommunitysg on Instagram and @myqueenstown on Facebook.
- Visit mycommunity.org.sg to learn about our initiatives.
- Visit mycommunityfestival.sg for all our latest updates.
