President of Singapore Buddhist Federation, Venerable Kwang Phing: Now that we have entered the era of digital and artificial intelligence, it is important for every Buddhist to be more cognisant of his or her own beliefs and to have a right view of the Dharma.

In the face of the challenges posed by new technologies and trends, the Singapore Buddhist Federation organised the first Singapore Buddhist Symposium at Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery, bringing together representatives of local Buddhist leaders and leaders from various industries to discuss the development of Buddhism in Singapore. 

Organising Chairman of Singapore Buddhist Symposium 2023, Venerable You Guang: Everyone has their own set of challenges, but it might be the challenges of everyone. And through this, we might have the collective solutions to all these challenges. We support and we share ideas. I think this will enable us to have more trust and understanding among the Buddhist community in Singapore.

Managing director of Tzu Chi Merit (Singapore), Low Swee Seh: Charity is the idea that we have to give without asking for anything in return.

Mr Low Swee Seh, the managing director of Tzu Chi Merit (Singapore), was also invited to share in the forum on how Tzu Chi puts Dharma into action and benefits the public.

Managing Director of Tzu Chi Merit (Singapore), Low Swee Seh: By all of us coming together for a discussion today, we bring out our strengths and learn from the strengths of others. Then we work together with other groups to serve Buddhism and all living beings.

Participant, Chua Mui Yee: (Today) I feel that I have a better understanding of the various groups, the different philosophies of each group and how they promote them. Then for me, with my personal power, how I can contribute to this society or to Buddhism.

Participant, Marcus Tay: The values and principles that we learned in school, like resilience, excellence, the generic stuff also kind of tie down to Buddhist principles and I felt that it mirrors exactly, and we can learn a little from Buddhist principles as well.

Abbess of Fo Guang Shan Singapore, Venerable Miao Mu: To benefit society through charity, to purify human minds through cultivation.

The two-day symposium not only strengthened the mutual understanding and exchanges among local Buddhist organisations but also taught the attendees how to practise Dharma in their daily lives to find inner peace in the midst of the chaotic environment.