Kathina Celebration
Santi Forest Monastery holds the Kathina Celebration (Robe offering) at the end of each Vassa (3-month Rains Retreat) held during the monsoon period. During the Vassa period, the wandering Buddhist Theravada monks are required to remain in one place for three months, and the Kathina celebration marks the end of this period. They will then be allowed to wander again. The Kathina celebration, usually held in October or November, has been held yearly since the year 2000.
The festival is celebrated by the offerings of robes that are given to the monks upon their leaving the monastery by the lay people. Many devotees from the various states of Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand attend the celebration of Kathina to rejoice in this meritorious event by offering robes, alms food, medicines and other requisites to the Sangha.
Each year, a large quantity of requisites is offered by the countless devotees and many volunteers help sort them out for distribution to non-profit organizations and villagers to help the needy.
Magha Puja
Songkran
Vesak Day
Asalha Puja
Tudong, the Dhamma Road
A walk of ease, a heart with peace.
The purpose of this Dhammayatra is to cultivate inner peace, raise awareness of peace in the world, and support personal and spiritual growth.
“Dhamma” refers to virtue, righteousness, social harmony, and the natural order.
“Yatra” means a journey or pilgrimage to sacred places.
This walking practice is a form of silent meditation—taken at a mindful, moderate pace, one step and one breath at a time.
For those interested in joining future Dhammayatra events, please stay tuned to our Facebook page and website for announcements and updates.
Disaster Relief Programs
2014
The relief aids consisting of rice, packing noodles, medicine, bottled mineral water, blanket, canned sardines and etc was donated by the devotees of Santi Forest Monastery. These relief aids were transported by one 40ft trailer from Ulu Tiram, Johor to Tanah Merah after the Great Flood in Kelantan, 2014. All the transportation and coordination of distribution of food relief aid at Tanah Merah was led by our local Kelantanese monk, Phra Lee Wai Soon.
2019
During the lockdown and MCO period of the Covid-19 Pandemic. Together with the good office of our Ulu Tiram Penghulu, Santi organised and donated a few rounds of dry rations to the Kampung folks of Ulu Tiram and those who are affected.
Short Term Ordination Programme
Santi Forest Monastery has been hosting its annual novitiate programme since 2003, and the Bhikkhu ordination programme since 2008.
These programmes offer a rare and meaningful opportunity to experience the monastic way of life and to explore the path to true inner happiness
Over the years, the monastery has had the honour of ordaining hundreds of individuals as Buddhist monks.
For those who are interested in joining, please stay tuned to our Facebook page and website for future announcements and registration details.
Meditation Retreats
Meditation retreats offer a precious opportunity to step away from the noise and busyness of daily life. In the peaceful setting of the forest, one can cultivate stillness, deepen self-awareness, and reconnect with the present moment.
Santi Forest Monastery held its first group meditation retreat in 2018, guided by the Venerable Abbot Chao Khun Keng. Over 100 participants from Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, and China came together to experience this transformative journey.
The retreat is now held annually for about 8 to 10 days, and participation is fully sponsored—welcoming all who are sincerely interested in the practice.
Youth Development Programme
Buddhist organisations want to nurture their youths to become responsible leaders of the future through intelligent programming. They have programmes held at Santi Forest Monastery such as Buddhist Youth Camps with Dhamma talks, meditation session, etc, aimed at strengthening leadership skills and faith in learning the Buddha-Dhamma.
