The Thekchen Choling Education Bursary Award was established in 2010 to provide financial assistance to students from low-income families. It is open to Singapore citizens, regardless of race or religion, who are studying in government institutions. There are three categories – Primary, Secondary and Tertiary.
Thekchen Choling Singapore, in collaboration with Kampong Glam Community Club, presents the Thekchen Choling Education Bursary Award annually to support students from low-income families in their educational journey.
From its humble beginnings in 2010 with 14 recipients, the bursary has since grown to benefit nearly 50 students each year, making a meaningful difference in the lives of future generations.
Interested applicants may contact Jalan Besar Community Club or Kampong Glam Community Club for information on application periods and submission details.
Many more families are waiting for us to reach out to them
Herbert Spencer
Money should not be a barrier to receiving an education. We hope to be of help.
We are dedicated to being a source of support for students, helping them build promising futures. Furthermore, we are committed to providing essential resources to families in need, to alleviate their financial burden. Our goal is to strengthen community ties and promote a nurturing environment for all. This year, we gave out Bursary Awards to 51 students of various races and religions through the Thekchen Choling Singapore Education Bursary Awards this year, with the support of the Kampong Glam Grassroots Organisations. Other projects we helmed this year include sharing festive joy with our elderly residents with Hong Bao and goodie bag distribution in January. 1000 pax of Hong Baos and goodie bags were given out. We would like to extend our heartfelt appreciation to all who contributed to these causes!
This year, we had the privilege of supporting students from the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) through the Thekchen Choling Singapore – SUTD Bursary Awards. Our commitment to empowering students from low-income families allows them to pursue their academic dreams, fueling their passions and equipping them with the skills to make a meaningful impact on society in the future. We rejoice in contributing to their educational journey and are truly delighted to be part of their success through these bursary awards!
This year, we continued extending our support to various organisations for its health programmes, including Metta Welfare Association Medical Care, and HCA Hospice Care. Besides medical care, Thekchen Choling also places great importance on people having a dignified passing during their end-of-life memorial services. We continued to raise funds for donations towards Cheng Hong Welfare Service Society, which supports the needy and elderly by befriending them, providing emotional support and fulfilling their wishes for funeral and bereavement services regardless of race or religion. Likewise, we extend our support towards the organisation, Poh Teck Tung Foundation (Thailand), for their services to benefit society.
Thekchen Choling’s popular Animal Blessing Night was back once again this year, and with our Animal Welfare Fund raised during this event, we also extended support and donations towards multiple animal and environmental organisations, such as Save Our Street Dogs – Singapore (SOSD), Nature Society (Singapore), Riding for the Disabled Association of Singapore (RDA), Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (ACRES), National Parks Board Garden City Fund and Ground-Up Initiative (GUI).
Our Sangha and staff went to NTUC Health Nursing Home (Chai Chee) twice this year to share about the Dharma with some of the residents who are Buddhists. We connected with them through the Dharma, touching their hearts and guiding them to connect with the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas through bite-sized teachings and recitations. They found solace in Buddha and the Dharma, and some were moved to tears during the session. We are grateful for this precious heart to heart connection with the elderly!
Dharma Preservation is a key part of Thekchen Choling’s purpose to ensure the continuation of Buddha’s legacy for all of us. This year, Thekchen Choling has raised funds for donations towards Sera Jey Tsawa Khangtsen and the Nepal Buddhist Gelug Association. This is to support their operations in their efforts to preserve and propagate the Dharma for all beings. We rejoice and are grateful for their efforts!
Sacred Mirror
The Sacred Mirror represents consciousness and the element of space. Clear, pure and bright, the mirror reflects all phenomena objectively without bias, thereby reminding us to practice objectivity and to rise above our judgmental minds. On a more subtle level, it reflects the Buddha’s core teaching of emptiness – that nothing exists on its own side without a dependent arising cause.
Pinnacle of the mirror
The pinnacle of the mirror, formed by the white crescent moon, flaming red sun and an orange flame of fire, represents the completion stage of Vajrayana practice.
Light Rays
The light rays radiating from the Sacred Mirror represent the flourishing of the Buddha’s teachings, fanning out to the furthest reaches of the universe.
Full Moon Disc
The moon disc represents Bodhicitta, the aspiration to become a Buddha to benefit all sentient beings.
Blue Lotus
Divinely fragrant, blue lotuses bloomed only in the Buddha’s time. By incorporating it into the temple’s logo, it is symbolic of the ever-present Buddha in Thekchen Choling. Moreover, a lotus flower represents purity, perfection, compassion and renunciation, similar to how the beautiful lotus remains untainted even though it had arisen out from the muddy waters.
Nine Precious Jewels
These nine precious jewels represent the Guru, Buddha, Dharma, Sangha, yidam or mind-seal deity, Dharma protector, the sky, earth, and the human realm.
Two Dragons
The two dragons represent continuity and harmony and create the cause for the temple to enjoy the strong support of members and benefactors for Dharma to flourish.
Golden Khata
The flowing golden khata represents the auspicious increase of all Dharma activities.
The Seven Gems of the Chakravartin or a Wheel-Turning King
1. The precious horse represented by a unicorn’s horn
2. The precious elephant represented by its tusks
3. The precious queen represented by round golden earrings
4. The precious minister represented by square golden earrings
5. The precious general represented by a pair of crossed swords
6. The precious jewel represented by the triple-eyed gem
7. The precious Dharma wheel represented by a branch of coral
