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Learn • Cultivate • Meditate​

Explore our Dharma course schedule and practice sessions, specially designed to support your personal growth through learning, reflection and meditation.

At Compassion and Wisdom Vihāra, our Dharma classes, meditation practice sessions, and retreats are structured to provide a nurturing environment for deepening your understanding of Buddhist teachings. Rooted in the Mahāyāna tradition,  these sessions are offered in English to make the teachings accessible to contemporary practitioners in Singapore.

Our classes are designed to foster personal growth, well-being and mindfulness in everyday life. To support meaningful learning and encourage quiet contemplation, our classes are intentionally kept small. This creates a more focused and supportive space where participants can engage deeply with the teachings and receive guidance tailored to their pace and needs. Whether you are new to the Dharma or seeking to deepen your practice, we provide a supportive space for learning and reflection.

To help sustain our activities, participants are encouraged to make a small contribution towards the running costs of the classes, practices, and retreats. If you feel moved to offer additional support, you may do so at your discretion. Your contributions directly support the Vihāra’s efforts in maintaining a welcoming space for ongoing learning and practice. 

Click here for more details on how you may offer support, or feel free to reach out to us with any questions. 

May your generosity bring wisdom, well-being, and happiness to yourself and all beings.

Basic Buddhism Course (Dharma and Cultivation)

Module Dates

Time: 7pm to 9 pm
Language: English
Support for Class Materials & Logistics:
$15 per session | $50 per module

Register now

Module One (2025)
[Registration Closed]

July 4, 11, 18, 25 (Friday) 

Module Two (2025)
[Fully Registrered]

October 10, 17, 24, 31 (Friday) 

Module Three (2026)

January 2, 9, 16, 23 (Friday)

Module Four (2026)

April 3, 10, 17, 24 (Friday) 

This four-module course offers a structured and practical approach to understanding and applying Buddhist teachings in daily life. Whether you are new to Buddhism or looking to deepen your practice, this programme provides step-by-step guidance on integrating wisdom into everyday challenges.

Each module is designed to stand alone, so you can start with any module, including Module Three, even if you did not attend the earlier one.  You may join one module at a time or embark on the full journey at your own pace.   

 

Unlike traditional Dharma classes that focus primarily on theory, this course bridges the gap between knowledge and practice. It offers real-life applications that cultivate mindfulness, clarity and personal growth.

Guided by Venerable Chuan Jia, participants will explore essential Buddhist principles while gaining practical insights into applying them in work, relationships and personal well-being.

This is a rare opportunity to receive structured, hands-on Buddhist guidance tailored for modern life.

This course offers a unique blend of:

  • Dharma talks – Clear and structured explanations of Buddhist teachings
  • Meditation practice – Practical guidance to cultivate mindfulness and inner stability
  • Buddhist cultivation methods – Step-by-step techniques to develop wisdom and compassion
  • Interactive discussions and Q&A – Engaging sessions to deepen understanding and clarify doubts


Designed to
go beyond theory, this course empowers students to integrate their learning into daily life, enabling them to navigate challenges with wisdom and compassion.

What to expect: 

  • Interactive Discussions – More than just lectures, with real-life case studies and practical examples
  • Hands-on Exercises – Learn how to integrate Dharma into your work, relationships and decision-making
  • Personal Guidance – Receive support on applying Buddhist principles to your unique challenges


Who Should Attend?

  • Beginners seeking an accessible introduction to Buddhism
  • Those new to Buddhism or looking for practical ways to apply its wisdom in their lives
  • Anyone seeking a structured and hands-on learning experience
  • Enquirers to Buddhist teachings

 

Why Join This Course?

  • Comprehensive & Structured – Each module consists of four interactive sessions, ensuring step-by-step learning
  • Flexible & Accessible – Join one module at a time or commit to the full journey at your own pace
  • Guided by Venerable Chuan Jia – Learn from a dedicated and experienced monastic teacher who provides clear explanations and practical insights to support your learning and practice
 

Meditation Practice & Dharma Talk

Meditation Practice

Practice Dates
October 29 (Wednesday)
November 26 (Wednesday)

Time: 7pm to 9pm
Language: English
Support for Class Materials & Logistics:
$15 per practice

*Each practice stands on its own. Participants are welcome to attend according to their availability.

>> Register now

Meditation is not just about sitting in stillness. It is about cultivating awareness and clarity in all aspects of life. This special evening session, guided by Venerable Chuan Jia, is designed to help participants integrate mindfulness beyond the cushion, bringing a sense of presence and calm into their daily interactions, work, and personal life.

Each session consists of a guided meditation practice followed by a Dharma talk and discussion, offering both practical techniques and deeper reflections on Buddhist wisdom. Whether you are new to meditation or have been practising for years, this session provides a supportive space to deepen your understanding and refine your practice.

By learning to apply mindfulness in daily activities, you will discover how to stay grounded and present even in challenging situations.

Open to all levels, from beginners to experienced practitioners.

What You Will Experience: 

  • Guided Meditation – Cultivate inner stillness and mindfulness with clear instructions
  • Practical Mindfulness Techniques – Learn how to maintain awareness throughout the day
  • Dharma Discussion – Explore essential Buddhist teachings that support mental clarity and emotional balance
  • Interactive Reflection and Q&A – Gain insights from shared experiences and ask questions to enhance your practice

 

Observing the Eight Precepts & Buddhist Etiquette [Full-Day Retreat]

Eight Precepts_Buddhist Etiquette

Retreat Date
November 22 (Saturday)

Time: 8am to 6pm
Language: English
Support for Class Materials, Logistics and Lunch: $35

>> Register now

The Eight Precepts Retreat is a rare opportunity to step away from daily distractions and dedicate a full day to moral discipline, mindfulness, and inner reflection. More than just a retreat, this is a guided experience in mindful living, where each precept becomes a tool for cultivating wisdom, inner peace, and clarity.

Under the guidance of Venerable Chuan Jia, participants will explore how precepts are not just rules to follow, but practical principles that bring mental clarity and deeper awareness when applied in daily life. Through silent practice, guided sessions, and simple living, this retreat offers a direct experience of the benefits of observing the Eight Precepts.

In keeping with the spirit of mindful learning, we maintain a small group intentionally, allowing each participant to receive the most attentive guidance and support along the way.

This retreat is recommended for those seeking a structured, focused day of cultivation, whether you are deepening your practice or experiencing the Eight Precepts for the first time.

What to Expect:

  • Taking the Eight Precepts – A commitment to ethical living, including refraining from food after noon
  • Guided Meditation & Dharma Talks – Practical insights on how the precepts support wisdom and mindfulness in daily life
  • Buddhist Etiquette & Mindful Conduct – Learn to bring mindfulness into speech, movement, and interactions
  • Reflection & Sharing – Gain a deeper understanding through Venerable Chuan Jia’s guidance on making precepts a daily practice
  • Simple Vegetarian Meal Provided – Supporting the practice of contentment and gratitude

The Heart of the Perfection of Wisdom Sūtra​

The Heart Sutra

Dates (2026): January 30, February 6, 13, 27 (Friday) 
Time: 7pm to 9pm
Language: English
Support for Class Materials & Logistics: $15 per session | $50 for the course (all four sessions)

>> Register now (On waitlist)

“Gone, gone, gone beyond—completely gone beyond—Enlightenment, all accomplished.”

The Heart Sūtra is one of the most treasured scriptures in Mahāyāna Buddhism—brief yet profound, simple yet limitless. For centuries, its verses have guided practitioners to realise the nature of emptiness and to see reality as it truly is.

In this special workshop, Venerable Shi Chuan Jia will walk you through insights from his book, “The Heart of the Perfection of Wisdom Sūtra” (般若波罗蜜多心经), offering more than just an explanation of words. Through exploring the Heart Sūtra alongside core Buddhist teachings—the Five Aggregates, the Six Pāramitās, and Dependent Origination—you will uncover how this timeless text speaks directly to our daily lives.

Whether you are new to Buddhist practice or a seasoned practitioner, this session offers a rare opportunity to:

  • Understand the Heart Sūtra in its historical and spiritual context
  • Reflect on its wisdom of form and emptiness
  • Learn how to integrate its teachings into your own practice

Come and let these profound teachings be a mirror, a guide, and a quiet light on your path.

Planting Seeds, Cultivating Happiness

Planting Seeds Cultivating Happiness

Dates: August 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 (Friday) 
Time: 7pm to 9pm
Language: English
Support for Class Materials & Logistics: $12 per session | $50 for the course (all five sessions)

FULLY REGISTERED

Happiness is not just an emotion — it is a skill that can be cultivated. This five-week course helps participants apply Buddhist wisdom in everyday situations to develop genuine inner joy. Venerable Chuan Jia provides practical tools for handling stress, negativity, and personal challenges.

This course is suitable for anyone seeking a practical approach to inner well-being.

What Makes This Course Different?

  • Real-life application — learn how to cultivate happiness at work, at home, and in relationships
  • Step-by-step techniques for applying Buddhist wisdom to emotional well-being
  • Guidance from Venerable Chuan Jia on how to make small daily shifts that lead to long-term happiness


Topics Covered:

  • How our thoughts and actions shape our happiness
  • Applying Buddhist principles to cultivate peace and contentment
  • Mindfulness practices to reduce stress and negativity
  • The power of compassion and gratitude in daily life

Secure your spot now!

Name
Compassion & Wisdom Vihāra