CAMP LIONS

CAMP LIONS - Leading & Inspiring Young Buddhist in Singapore

It started with a small but sincere idea of uniting Buddhist youth groups in Singapore two years ago. And through a leadership camp, inspire the next generation of youth leaders to lead a meaningful life full of wisdom and compassion, and be motivated to want to serve the Buddhist community.

The Lion as the national symbol of our country and a reminder that we as Buddhists leaders have to serve and be mindful of our national duties and the religious and cultural diversity of our nation.

The Lion also has a very special in the Buddhists texts. In the Discourse on a Rhinoceros Horn (Khaggavisana Sutta), the Buddha said:

Not startled, like a lion at sounds.
Not snared, like the wind in a net.
Not smeared, like a lotus in water:

wander alone...

The Pioneer British monk, late Venerable Nanamoli wrote of the lion as "universally recognized to be their (animal kingdom) chief. The living embodiment of self-possessed power, he is the most regal in manner and deportment, the mightiest, the foremost with respect to speed, courage and dominion. The expression of the lion's supremacy is its roar — a roar which reduces to silence the cries, howls, bellows, shrieks, barks and growls of lesser creatures. When the lion steps forth from his den and sounds his roar, all the other animals stop and listen. On such an occasion none dares even to sound its own cry, let alone to come into the open and challenge the fearless, unsurpassable roar of the golden-maned king of beasts.

The Late Venerable Nanamoli

The Buddha's discourses, as found in the ancient Pali canon, frequently draw their imagery from the rich and varied animal life of the luxuriant Indian jungle. It is thus not surprising that when the Buddha has occasion to refer to himself, he chooses to represent himself as the stately lion and to describe his proclamation of the Dhamma, bold and thunderous, as a veritable lion's roar in the spiritual domain. "

Lets all start by learning to be a brave-hearted lion in our lives, firm in times of crisis, wise and mindful of every moment. Standing tall with wisdom and compassion. The inaugural CAMP LIONS 2009 was a success. May CAMP LIONS 2010 reach a higher level. May it have the blessing to take root and bear fruit for more to come.