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FACE TO FACE | EASTERN HORIZON 11

our Dharma activities. Then from 1988 till 1993, our Bilingual Approach
Dharma activities and programs were held at rented We use both Chinese and English languages in our
premises. But in 1994 we moved into our own building. activities, and Dharma talks in both languages are
Today, through the support of the local community, we regularly held at the association. Occasionally, there are
have our own 3-storey building. Buddhist talks in Hokkien and Cantonese too.

We used various strategies and approaches to introduce Skilful Means
Buddhism to the community: As the devotees at the association are from diverse
backgrounds, comprising pre-school children, students,
Non-Sectarian youths, adults, and elders, our activities are varied to
Considering the strong Taoist background of the cater to their respective needs.
Chinese community, we felt a non-sectarian Buddhist
organization would be more appropriate for Teluk Reaching Out and Looking In – ‘Serve To Be Perfect, Be
Intan. We focussed on the teachings which are universal Perfect To Serve’
in nature instead of catering to any cultural aspects
of the various Buddhist traditions. Thus for Dharma The Dharma Education and Promotion programs are
education and propagation, we invited speakers from a balance of outreach and welfare work, and self-
the Theravāda, Mahāyāna, and Vajrayāna traditions to cultivation activities.
share their teachings. We also set up a Library that has
Dharma books, videos, and CDs on all three Buddhist Do you encounter problems managing a non-
traditions. sectarian Buddhist organization as the devotees are
from different traditions?