31-y.o. techie chooses a monk's life

Why a 31-year old Singaporean techie chose the monk's life

(Handful of Leaves) Oct. 14, 2025: Handful of Leaves Podcast. Rich in Buddhist Singapore, from dating girls to reading about Elon Musk to thinking about politics, he was in search of meaning in his early 20s. All that changed when he read about the Buddha and his monastic followers.

Handful of Leaves had the awesome opportunity to speak with novice Samanera/Anagarika Phra Ryan before he took full ordination. Here’s his story of becoming a Buddhist monk at the prime of his career in Singapore's tech industry.

This is also how young only son Ryan, with family members of a different religious faith, arrived at this path of Buddhist monasticism. #BuddhistWisdom #MindfulLiving #FaithAndPractice

ABOUT: Halfway through his university studies, Ryan embarked on a spiritual journey into the deeper meaning of life and found himself drawn towards Buddhism. It was during a silent retreat in the Australian bush at a Theravada monastery, which marked the beginning of an eight-year journey into monkhood. This is his story.

• 📄 Transcript: bit.ly/hol-phra-ryan

⏱ TIMESTAMPS

• (00:00) – First week as a Buddhist novice (monk-to-be): nervous then relief
• (01:30) – Meeting Ajahn Dhammasiha and first retreats
• (03:00) – Life as an anagarika and his family’s reaction
• (05:00) – Growing up privileged and searching for meaning
• (07:05) – Parents’ and friends’ response to his ordination
• (09:10) – Luang Por’s [Senior Monk's] teaching: life without mindfulness is crazy
• (10:00) – Goal of practice: freeing the mind from clinging/attachment
• (11:15) – Wearing the robe [Banner of the Arahants] and facing “imposter syndrome”
• (12:09) – Choosing Wat Marp Jan [Monastery] under Luang Por [Ven.] Anan

Special thanks to Handful of Leaves' sponsors: Buddhist Youth Network, Lim Soon Kiat, Alvin Chan, Tan Key Seng, Soh Hwee Hoon, Geraldine Tay, Venerable You Guang, Wilson Ng, Diga, Joyce, Tan Jia Yee, Joanne, Suñña, Shuo Mei, Arif, Bernice, Wee Teck, Andrew Yam, Kan Rong Hui, Wei Li Quek, Shirley Shen, Ezra, Joanne Chan, Hsien Li Siaw, Gillian Ang, Wang Shiow Mei, Ong Chye Chye, Melvin, Yoke Kuen, Nai Kai Lee, Amelia Toh, Hannah Law, Shin Hui Chong, Dennis Lee

• 🙏 Become a sponsor: handfulofleaves.life/support

🎬 Editor: Hong Jiayi. ✍️ Transcribers: Cheryl Cheah, Tan Si Jing, Bernice Bay. 🎨 Visuals and Sound: Anton Thorne, Tan Pei Shan, Ang You Shan.

• 📱 Get connected: Ajahn Dhammasiha: @dhammatalksatdhammagiri8724
• Wat Pah Nanachat: watpahnanachat.org
• Wat Marp Jan: @ajahnanan
• Telegram: bit.ly/hol-telegram
• Instagram: bit.ly/hol-instagram-podcast
• Facebook: bit.ly/hol-facebook-podcast
• Spotify: spoti.fi/3w2jfQ1
• Handful of Leaves, Oct. 14, 2025; Pat Macpherson and Dhr. Seven (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly