Singaporean undergrad embraces Buddhism

Ordained as Singapuruwe Bodhi Thera

An undergraduate of the Buddhist and Pali University in Singapore, Derrick Hauang Guowei (29) entered the order of Buddhist monks as Singapuruwe Bodhi Thera yesterday at the Weliwatta Wijeyananda Pirivena under the tutelage of Chief Incumbent of the Wijeyananda temple Ven. Beratuduwe Gnanavisuddhi Thera and Chief Incumbent of the Buddha Vihara in Singapore, Ven. Galle Uditha Thera.

It was of significance that he entered the order at the Wijeyananda Pirivena where Col. Henry Steel Alcott who brought about a national renaissance embraced Buddhism.

Singapuruwe Bodhi Thera's father Desmond Swee Mong, mother Susan Koh Seok Tuan and several of his relatives attended the ordaining ceremony. Desmond Swee Mong offered robes to Ven Bodhi Thera. At the same occasion, a Sri Lankan boy from Malaviwa in Akuressa, H.A.Tharaka Suresh (12) also entered the order as Malaviwe

Derrick Hauang Guowei studied Buddhist philosophy at the Buddhist and Pali University in Singapore before he decided to enter the Order

Sumana Thera.

Delivering an Anusasana Ven. Galle Uditha Thera said many foreigners were taking a keen interest in studying Buddhism as a philosophy and a way of life and that they have a thorough understanding of the teachings of the Buddha. "This augurs well for the future of the Buddha Sasana," the Ven. Thera said. "Ven. Singapuruwe Bodhi Thera has studied Buddhist philosophy at the university before he decided to enter the Order. His parents made the greatest sacrifice in their lives by allowing their elder son to enter the Order. I am hopeful that he would be another S. Mahinda Thera of Tibet who rendered a great service to Buddhism."