Important to build culture of respect and compassion, deepen skills: Tharman
Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam (centre) at a dialogue at Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery in Bright Hill Road, Bishan, on Aug 20. ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO
Syarafana Shafeeq
UPDATED
42 MINS AGO
FacebookTwitter
SINGAPORE –
Presidential hopeful Tharman Shanmugaratnam said on Sunday that he will support all efforts and initiatives by organisations that promote a culture of respect in Singapore, if he is elected.
The former senior minister was speaking to an audience of more than 100 Buddhist leaders and young people in a dialogue at Singapore’s largest Buddhist temple, the Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery.
He said that while Singapore has made good material progress, its people must now focus on compassion, care and respect for one another in the next phase of its development.
Respect is very important for the poor and elderly, different religions, races and cultures, he said. “Deep respect, not just... tolerate each other (or) live with each other.”
He added: “We must come closer to each other in the next 20 years.”
Mr Tharman took questions from the floor on topics such as religion, mental health and leadership.
An audience member brought up the issue of young people losing interest in spirituality, in a society that is focused on material success.
Mr Tharman said that Singapore has progressed very far, noting that people were very poor in the past and wanted to work hard to improve their standard of living. They wanted to have higher incomes, to buy their own homes, and for their children to do better – and they have succeeded.
“Now, we are at a stage where I think we can have more balance. And this must be not just in the mind, but we need to make some changes.”
Stressing that he was speaking as a private citizen and not a presidential candidate – as the latter should not talk about policy – he said that Singapore’s education system has too much pressure and has it too early, and he would like to see children have more time to develop in, and explore, other aspects of life.
“It’s not good for the children... And because they focus so much on the examinations, they also don’t spend time on other things.”
When asked about his thoughts on the role of religion in society, he said that in societies where people do not have some spiritual beliefs, they may be more materialistic and individualistic.
He said: “The spiritual side of a society is also a way in which people feel there’s some relationship with each other.”
One may be a carpenter or factory worker, and another a professor, but all meet together in the same room as equals and remain close.
He added that there is a social dimension to spirituality that brings people together, and this is important as it creates social strength.
Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam (second from left) and his wife Jane Yumiko Ittogi leaving Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery at Bright Hill after a dialogue on Aug 20. ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO]
One young person asked for advice on navigating uncertainty and anxiety in today’s economic climate amid pandemics and silent recessions. He said that his peers worry about keeping their jobs.
Mr Tharman said it is important for people in Singapore to develop deeper skills and expertise in what they are good at.
“It is a very human thing – when you are good at something, you can display it to others... People have to concentrate now on just deepening their skills.
“Never mind what their examination grades were – once you start working, you have to put effort into deepening your skills.”
It is important to engage in constant learning and trying to understand something, Mr Tharman added. In the process, deepening skills will become a way of life, and it is a satisfying way of life.
