We settled down in our new apartment, and I started exploring the neighbourhood. I soon discovered a construction site at the marketplace and noticed that a temple was being built there.

At that time, members of the Sakya Buddhist Centre had set up a makeshift temple in a container at the construction site.

When I was a young Buddhist, I was taught the importance of the Sangha—the community of Buddhist practitioners, comprising both monastics and lay people. When we associate with the Sangha, the community inspires us to practise the Dharma. It is a form of positive peer influence, and naturally, the quality of this community is very important. If the people around you practise the Noble Eightfold Path, you are more likely to do likewise. This is especially crucial for anyone who is new to Buddhism.

Seeking the Dharma in a New Neighbourhood

Because of this teaching, I make it a point to frequent active Buddhist centres and participate in their programmes. Before moving to this new location, my home was in the western part of Singapore, and I frequently visited the Singapore Buddhist Youth Mission. My favourite activities were borrowing books and audio recordings of sermons from their library.

My favourite sermons were delivered by Master Hui Li, a Taiwanese Chinese Mahayana monk. From his cassette tapes, I learned about the various Buddhist cults that had mushroomed in Taiwan. Naturally, this made me wonder whether the new temple being built near my new home was a cult or a bona fide Buddhist organisation.

I remember it was a Sunday morning when I decided to visit the new Tibetan temple. My aim was simply to find a Buddhist Sangha near my new home where I could be inspired by their Dharma activities.

For me, the various schools and sects of Buddhism meant essentially the same thing: they all came about because of the Buddha’s Dharma. As long as the teachings of the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path are present, the Dharma is there.

Therefore, when I moved to the eastern part of Singapore, I no longer went back to the Buddhist Youth Mission. Personally, I think that is how the Buddha would expect us to act—focusing on Dharma practice instead of becoming fixated or attached to particular places and people.

An Unexpected Welcome

As you can imagine, the Sakya Centre at that time was simply a small container in front of a construction site. It was small and rather unassuming, and I did not have high expectations. I just wanted to check it out.

Fortunately, one of the members was kind enough to approach me. I cannot remember his exact words, but it was probably something along the lines of introducing the centre as a Tibetan Buddhist centre and asking whether I was familiar with Vajrayana Buddhism.

His name was Thomas.

If that had not happened, I probably would have simply walked off after paying my respects to the Buddha statues.

Brother Thomas became my guide, helping me navigate this new Buddhist tradition and Tibetan culture. At this point in my life, I was more aligned with Mahayana Buddhism, having listened to many hours of Chinese Dharma talks.

Thomas’s initiative in reaching out to a stranger who had walked into an unfamiliar environment represented, to me, the compassion and kindness at the heart of Buddhism. His simple act of reaching out embodied what I understood as the very spirit of Mahayana.

Bodhi-Bowl: “When we are kind enough to extend our hands to help another person encounter the Dharma, that is Mahayana. But if we keep the Dharma to ourselves and are averse to sharing it when opportunities arise, then we are Hinayana.”

Signs of Destiny and Lingering Skepticism

Thomas made me feel welcome at this new centre that was still under construction. Inside, I saw a photograph of His Holiness Sakya Gongma Trichen Rinpoche (HHSGTR) prominently displayed.

I recognized him from many years ago, when I had made an aspiration in front of his photograph.

Deep down, it occurred to me that this could be a sign of destiny. After all, I had made an aspiration years earlier:

“If he is truly the great master people say he is, may I one day meet him and receive his teachings—when my mind is ready.”

Despite feeling that profound connection, I remained somewhat skeptical.

Among the Chinese sermons I had listened to, I had learned an old saying in Chinese Mahayana Buddhism:

“When the monks bow to the lay person, that is the sign of the Dharma degeneration period.”

Those traditional teachings had remained rooted in my heart. They left me naturally wary—even as I took my first tentative steps into a completely new Buddhist world.

To be continued…

May all be well and happy.