On 8 July 2016, the first Basic Monastic Training Course for Female Laity Graduation Ceremony was held in Buddhist College of Singapore (BCS). Rector Venerable Kwang Sheng, Vice-Rector Venerable Chuan Hou, the Dean of Academic Affairs Office Venerable Chuan Xiong, the Head of Admin Office Venerable Chuan Deng, the Head of Monastic Training Office Venerable Quan Zhi, Vice-Dean of Nuns’ Campus Venerable Yuan Xing, Class Mentor of Nuns’ Campus Venerable Ming Hao, staff, students, and guests attended this event.
The ceremony began with paying respect and offering flower to the Buddha, followed by the chanting of Heart Sutra. The Rector then congratulated the students on getting their Certificate after undergoing the 2 years’ Basic Monastic Training Course.
The Rector recounted that the late President of the Buddhist Association of China once said, the first mission of Buddhism is education, the second is education, and likewise the third. In line with the wishes of the late Venerable Hong Choon, the Buddhist College of Singapore was founded to provide education to monastics. He expressed his wish to expand the Nuns’ Campus branch of BCS to run the Bachelor’s degree programme in Buddhist Studies if conditions permit. In the meantime, the Rector exhorted the students to continue their learning and to cultivate gratitude in their daily lives. Lastly, he gave his blessings to the students in their future endeavours.
Thereafter, the Rector presented the certificates to the 9 graduating students after which student representative Ms. Nuriani Su gave a thank you speech. The ceremony ended with a group photo taking. Finally, a sumptuous lunch was served in honor of the guests and in appreciation of their wonderful support.
