PROPOSAL FOR SETTING UP OF A SANGHA FUND FOR FAH VIENG IN TEMPLE IN THAILAND FOR SHAN NOVICES   Introduction   Fah Vieng In Temple (Photo 1) is situated at the border between Thailand and Myanmar. Many years ago, it was set up by a Shan leader to provide education for orphaned and very poor children with the support of local villagers.   The present Abbot, Ven Preecha took over this role for almost ten years from the former Abbot who had since passed away. About 5 years ago, it was closed down again due to the war between the Thais, Shan and Burmese.   At present, this temple with 6 monks serves as a monastic education centre for Shan novices. There are now 70 novice monks (Samaneras) with the youngest at age 7. While the older novices came from Shan state (Myanmar), the younger ones were from the nearby villages.   DILEMMAS   Firstly, the temple can not accept new novices because of lack of food. The supply of basic daily diet of rice comes from the nearby refugees’ camp which also provides cooking oil. But for vegetable dishes, the temple has to fork out its own funds to bear the monthly costs of around Baht$8,000.   They need to buy vegetables as the local villagers’ support is hardly forthcoming. Ven Preecha revealed that they had actually gone out for alms rounds previously but they came back empty handed! This was because the villagers who are mainly elderly do not have much for themselves either in the first place.   As such, if new novices are being accepted, the older ones who had gone through only Pali Level 1 would need to go. They are usually sent to bigger cities like Bangkok or Chiang Mai. However, because they have not studied enough Dhamma and received the required monastic training, being independent is almost an impossible task!.   Having to fend for themselves with lack or no support at all, many of them had to forgo the holy life. Being disillusioned and really disheartened, some of them turned to drugs for solace! It is shocking as no comforting words can possibly undo the “damage” done. This unfortunate turn of event may become a big problem should help is not forthcoming.   It is truly a very sad outcome for these young youths who could become very good Dhamma teachers, teaching and enlightening many beings in the future. If only they had the required support to do so!   This second dilemma had one way or another prompted the Abbot to envisage a plan to let the novices to stay on in this training school for 5 years. This would enable them to receive the required monastic training and Dhamma knowledge among others. It includes providing Buddhism history in Thai (3 levels) and engaging teachers to teach Pali language (9 levels).   The above among other future initiatives can only be possible with the provision of support from the laity. It is important to note that such support should be continuous in nature thereafter.   As such, against this unique background and sequence of events, the details of a Sangha fund are set out below.   To support this fund, well wishers can support a Novice at S$100 per annum. The breakdown as follows:- S$ Expenses for Food 85 Expenses for Education _15 Total 100   Please take not that it is also possible for more than one individual to support one Novice.     Below are some of the photos that we took when we went there in June this year (2007).         Photo 1 Fah Vieng In Temple (Monastic Education Centre)       Photo 2 Novices’ Quarters in the form of a wooden longhouse.     Photo 3. One of the two lay Teachers, Mr Noom who teaches the Novices English and other Secular subjects standing in front of the wooden classroom.   Photo 4. The condition of the classroom with broken wooden planks speaks for itself:-       Photo 5 The Novices putting in all their efforts into learning although there is no proper lighting.     Photo 6 Young Novices working hard without having the luxury of comfort of fans.