International Bhikkhuni Day, 2014 (Part 12)

Honouring Eminent Asian Buddhist Women in the Modern Era

C. Buddhism Beyong Borders: Engaged Buddhism - Compassion in Action

4.  Malaysia – Ven Sing Kan (1957 - )

At the age of 25, Ven became a nun in Sin Fook Tong temple, Kuala Lumpur under the guidance of her great grand master Sin Pooi and teacher Ven Ku Chung. She took her higher ordination as a bhiksuni in Penang in 1987 under the preceptorship of Master Tai Sheng from Taiwan.

Spiritual Training

Ven Sing Kan studied Buddhism under Uncle Fam and the late Ven. Dr. K. Sri Dhammananda Maha Nayaka Thera in Buddhist Mahavihara in 1993. She later taught Buddhism in its Sunday school (BISDS) for 2 years.

In 1996 she took the Diploma in Buddhism (BAPU program) for 1 year and in 1997-1999, Diploma in Buddhism at the Kelaniya University, Sri Lanka. She then completed a degree course in Buddhism organised by International Buddhist College in 2001-2004 and became the Vice Principal and teacher of Siang Lin Chiao Yuen kindergarten, Malacca.

Role as an Abbess

In 2007, Ven gave up her aspiration to be an academic in Buddhist studies to become the abbess of Sam Poh Thong in Ampang, Kuala Lumpur. She is active in propagating Buddhist education and meditation practice especially with the young. She started the ‘Smart Readership Programme’ to improve the standard of English of the poor neighbourhood children. She started with twenty students, providing them with free breakfast and lunch every Sunday, charging RM20 per month. The number of children has now grown to more than a hundred. Presently, she is expanding the temple to meet the increasing number of students and devotees.

Prior to the formation of Gotami Vihara, Ven Sing Kan had kindly provided accommodation to our local or visiting Theravada nuns. We are most grateful for her kind support.

Mission in Inter-faith Understanding

Ven is actively involved in the interfaith discussion to promote peace and harmony in a multi racial and multi religious society. She is one of the Vice Presidents of the Malaysian Consultative Committee of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST). She travels extensively to network with other Buddhist societies in the propagation of Buddhism. She was in Netherlands recently to assist the families of MH17 tragedy.