Sīlavatī (Sayalay) Nun Ordination and Piṇḍacāra, Melaka
as organized by Aggācāra Ctr, Yangon
Serendipity
Sometimes when you least expect it, good things happen. One poster and one message – was all it took to turn the course of our daily life in this month of March. We found ourselves engaging in activities we would not have dreamed of, and all for the better.
The poster was about an upcoming Sīlavatī (Sayalay) Nun Ordination to be held on 12 March 2023 at Cittasukha Vihara Monastery, Melaka, and the unexpected message was from Sayagyi Cālā Theri regarding routes for piṇḍacāra.
On 12 March, Sunday, we drove to Taman Malim Jaya, looking out for a ‘monastery’. Cittasukha Vihara Monastery turned out to be a modest double storey link house. Many Myanmarese men and women were already at the vicinity, each carrying out their respective activities or tasks. The Myanmarese were mostly young adults working in Melaka or other states. It was a sight to behold as both the men and women adorned their traditional dress. The men wore the longyi called paso (or sarong in Malay), and the women dressed in matching top (blouse) and longyi called htamein. Their dressing was very colourful and eye-catching, so much so that we could be looking at their designs without realising our gaze could be interpreted as ‘stares’! These Myanmarese supporters came from near and far, some as far as Johor Baru. They had all come to the monastery in full force to witness an auspicious event undertaken by their fellow countrywomen – the temporary ordination of five young Myanmarese ladies as Sayalays.
The support from their own community would surely come in good stead for these five women when they crossed the threshold of lay life to monastic life, albeit temporarily. This ordination event is even more meaningful considering this is their first-ever Sīlavatī (Sayalay) ordination on their sojourn to Malaysia. It is indeed a great renunciation for the young ladies to let go the attachment to their own hair, go bald-headed and be able to take up wearing simple dark coloured robes.
Such was the enthusiasm and team spirit that we could feel the camaraderie exuding from the lively conversations amidst their activities. Most of them gathered at the open-air community hall located opposite the Cittasukha Vihara for this religious festival, to help prepare the local Myanmar dishes, offerings to the Saṅgha, and displaying their musical skills with traditional instruments.
This Sīlavatī (Sayalay) nun ordination held in Melaka was jointly organised by two chief nuns, Sayagyi Aggavatī and Sayagyi Cālā Theri, from Aggācāra (Noble Practice) International Theravāda Education and Meditation Centre (ITEMC), Hmawbi, Yangon, Myanmar and Malin Sayadaw, the residing monk of Cittasukha Monastery. Sayagyi Aggavatī is a Myanmarese from Yangon, and Sayagyi Cālā Theri is a Malaysian nun who is studying Ph.D in International Theravāda Buddhist Missionary University (ITBMU), Yangon, Myanmar.
A short sojourn to taste the bliss of going forth
It is a bold step for the five aspiring Sayalays-to-be: Ei Shwe Zin, Yee Yee Mar, Htwe Htwe, Myo War War Kyaw and Thandar Nyein, taking time off from the busyness of their working life to taste the bliss of pabbajjā (going forth) and the quietude of meditation. They have been working here for 5 to 9 years. The youngest is only 21 years old.
They came to Cittasukha Monastery dressed in their fine traditional clothes. The key highlight of the pabbajjā event was the hair shaving ceremony. Their beautiful locks of hairs were tied in bunches with rubber bands. One by one, the ladies had their bunches of hair cut by Sayagyi Aggavatī, followed by shaving, shampooing and washing the shaved heads by volunteers.
Next was the robes offering by a group of donors. The ladies then changed into their robes, and with this, the rite de passage (rite of passage) came to full circle. With clean-shaven heads and adorning
the dark coloured robes, these ladies finalised their transition from lay to renunciate, taking on a new status – Sayalay (or Thīlashin in Burmese, Sīlavatī in Pāli, meaning one who possesses morality). History is made with this first-ever ordination with the practice of going for alms (piṇḍacāra) of the five Sayalays in accordance with Myanmar tradition in Melaka state. Under the guidance of Sayagyi Aggavatī and Sayagyi Cālā Theri, the newly ordained Sayalays could walk the monastic path with confidence and undergo a life-changing journey as a Sayalay. They observe higher morality, practice meditation and doing chanting in this one week as a renunciate.
On the ordination day, lunch dāna was served with a wide spread of delicious food. Two Bhantes from Muar and Segamat, Johor joined Malin Sayadaw, Sayagyi Aggavatī, Sayagyi Cālā Theri and the fiv Sayalays for the lunch dāna. It was such a commendable joint effort from the Myanmarese community. The local devotees enjoyed the great hospitality shown by the Myanmarese people, about 300 to 400, who came out in full force to support their fellow countrywomen’s aspiration to go forth.
Donations came in many forms, including hair! Many of the Myanmarese ladies have very long hair (more than 2 feet long). Several of these ladies willingly lined up to have their hair cut by Sayagyi Aggavatī. The proceeds from the sale of the long hair would be put to good use by Aggacara Ctr.
Being the first Sayalay ordination with the practice of going for alms (piṇḍacāra) held locally in Melaka, it is hopeful that this event can raise greater awareness to support women going forth (towards homelessness), living a monastic life, going out for alms and reaching out to the public for them to have some chance to accumulate merits. With the right support, both Sayagyi Aggavatī and Sayagyi Cālā Theri are keen to lead many more such similar events in the future.
Piṇḍacāra (Going for Almsround)
The second event that we found ourselves immersed in was the piṇḍacāra. From drawing out the possible routes, to informally organising the routes, and to participating in the actual event, it was truly a challenging but unforgettable experience. For the five newly ordained Sayalays, it was their first taste of going on almsround.
On the first day, Monday 13 March, we set off in a single file to the Kota Laksamana market, about 110 metres from the guesthouse they were staying (KnocKnock 70s Home 5BDR). As Sayagyi Aggavatī led the way right into the market and walked with head bowed in between the stalls of vegetables, chicken, kuih sellers, etc., followed in single file by the five Sayalays and Sayagyi Cālā, the sellers and customers warmed up to the scene. Such humility as demonstrated by the nuns’ demeanour would surely have moved many a heart. One by one they came forward to make their respective offerings.
The second day, Tuesday 14 March, we went to the market again, and this time, the reception was even more tremendous. We then took a short cut, crossing Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock (formerly Heeren Street), onto Jalan Hang Jebat (formerly Jonker Street), and henceforth to Cheng Hoon Teng Temple (the Temple of Green Cloud), located at Tokong Street. Cheng Hoon Teng Temple, opened in 1645, is reputed to be the oldest Chinese temple in Malaysia.
Befitting its historical grandeur, our group of Sayagyis, Sayalays and volunteers were truly humbled by the heartwarming hospitality and great generosity shown by the chief nun and her devotees. Sayagyi Aggavatī led the Sayalays in paying homage to the Buddha.
A Buddhist should do things three times as it is more meaningful because we dedicate our determination following the Triple Gem. Hence, the piṇḍacāra was organised for the third time, Wednesday, 15 March. This time, a poster was drafted and there was more publicity. The venue was the morning market, located at Kampung Lapan. Lo and behold, when we arrived, there were only a handful of stalls operating along the pathway. All’s well that ends well.
The food sellers manning their stalls in the coffeeshops, relatives and friends of our volunteers came in full force to offer dāna to the nuns. This offering could be the first experience for many of them. A mother brought her young son to offer to Sayagyi Aggavatī, while showing the boy to do the anjali and bow his head. An elderly woman was very excited to do her part that she wanted to put whatever foodstuffs she had into Sayagyi’s almsbowl.
Our team then drove further up the road, and stop near a tim sum shop. People came forward to offer cooked food, dry foodstuffs, even fresh coconuts!
To all the people who showed such great generosity and support – Kota Laksamana market, Jonker Street, Cheng Hoon Teng Temple, morning market at Kampung Lapan, the tim sum shop and the stalls nearby – we are indeed very grateful. We humbly say thank you to each and everyone of you for your generous contributions. Every item offered is put to good use. Some of the donated items were given to orphanages and old folks’ home in the vicinity while others are packed to be sent to Aggacara Ctr. There will be the final round of piṇḍacāra on Friday, 17 March, at Bukit Beruang market.
We are very thankful to Sayagyi Aggavatī and Sayagyi Cālā Theri for this serendipitous opportunity to witness the sīlavatī/sayalay ordination and participate directly in the piṇḍacārā right at our hometown – Melaka. It was truly a humbling experience.
We picked up gems of wisdom from Sayagyi Aggavatī and Sayagyi Cālā, and got the taste of Dhamma through the many acts of generosity and kindness from the community. To our friends from Seck Kia Eenh Temple and other organisations, thank you very much for your presence, assistance and support.
May the Blessings of the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha be with all of you.
By Ong Puay Liu & Ngoh Su Bang
Melaka, 15 March 2023
