2nd Singapore Buddhist Symposium

Venerable Seck Kwang Phing, President of the Singapore Buddhist Federation,

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

1.        Good morning! It is my pleasure to join you this morning at this year’s Singapore Buddhist Symposium.

Contributions of the Buddhist community to our multicultural society

2.        The Buddhist community is the largest religious group in Singapore.

(a)     Your teachings of compassion and loving kindness remind us to care for others, embrace our differences, and serve the common good.

(b)     These timeless principles have made Singapore a multi-racial and multi-religious home for all of us.

3.        Over the years, our Buddhist organisations have shown what faith and compassion can accomplish.

(a)     The Singapore Buddhist Federation uplifts needy students through annual bursary awards, regardless of race, language or religion.

(b)     The Singapore Buddhist Lodge, together with Jamiyah Singapore and Taoist Federation (Singapore), bring joy to our seniors and low-income households through annual red packet distributions.

(c)      There is power in these simple acts, which build a “Harmonious Society and Cohesive Nation”, which is also our theme for today.

Preserving harmony in a divided world

4.        In our multicultural society, a harmonious society is built on our foundations of trust and understanding. And put together, our differences make a more beautiful whole.

5.        Like a beautiful lotus flower, our harmony must be nurtured and protected.

(a)     Religion has been a flashpoint in many places all over the world.

(b)     Here in Singapore, we are also not immune to challenges. Just two weeks ago, the incident at Al-Istiqamah Mosque reminds us not to take our solidarity across religions for granted. 

(c)      Our collective response reflected the strong trust that we have built over the years. Our religious leaders from all faiths, including Singapore Buddhist Federation, swiftly condemned the act, and we stood together as one Singapore, regardless of race, language or religion.

(d)        It is clear to us that an attack on one is an attack on all.  

Building a “We-first” next generation

6.        And as we continue to work on our unity as a multicultural, multi-religious nation, Singapore is a country which has notched many “firsts”, and now, we will also strive to be a “We-First” nation.

7.        We-First reminds us that a successful and cohesive society is built on mutual trust, respect, and support. Like Venerable Kwang Phing reminded us, interdependence is emphasised in Buddhism – that everything arises in connection with everything else. We can only progress when everyone around us progresses as well.

8.        Our religious communities can model these values to inspire the next generation.

(a)     One example is the Tzu Chi Humanistic Youth Centre, which recently hosted the Tzu Chi International Youth Association Conference, bringing youths from fourteen countries to work on projects that are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

9.        In doing so, we are also raising young Singaporeans who will keep Singapore strong and cohesive for many generations to come.

Conclusion

10.    In closing, harmony and cohesion will always be at the heart of our nation. I am confident that if each of us puts in the effort, Singapore will continue to be a place where all of us – regardless of race, language, or religion – can look forward to the future with confidence and hope.

11.    Allow me to also say a few words in Mandarin.

(a)     大 家 早 上 好，很 荣 幸 能 参 与 2025 年 的 新 加 坡 佛 教 论 坛。

(b)     佛 教 是 新 加 坡 最 大 的 宗 族 团 体。

(c)      佛 教 社 群 在 促 进 社 会 和 谐 以 及 凝 聚 国 家 方 面 树 立 了 榜 样。

(d)     佛 教 慈 悲 与 慈 爱 的 理 念 指 导 了 我 们 如 何 关 怀他 人、尊 重 彼 此 间 差 异，并 促 进 不 同 社 群 之 间 携 手 合 作。

(e)     和 谐 与 凝 聚 力 一 直 是 我 国 发 展 历 程 中 的 核 心。当 我 们 迈 向 建 立 一 个 坚 韧 的 社 会，这 两 个 要 素 将 必 不 可 少。

(f)       我 相 信 通 过 我 们 的 努 力，新 加 坡 将 继 续 是 个 不 分 种 族 或 宗 教 的 国 家。

(g)     所 有 的 国 人 都 能 充 满 信 心、迈 向 美 好 的 未 来。

(h)     最 后，祝 论 坛 圆 满 成 功，希 望 大 家 能 获 益 匪 浅。谢 谢 大 家。