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FACE TO FACE | EASTERN HORIZON 13

the current management team, many of whom are (morality) and Bhavana (meditation), one can easily
getting old. Unfortunately, Teluk Intan is a small town understand the deeper teachings of impermanence
where job opportunities are limited. Many of our (anicca), suffering (dukkha) and non-self (anattā).
Dharma students leave the town for Kuala Lumpur or In my case, the sustained practice of loving kindness
other bigger cities to study and later to work. Though (mettā bhavana) and both concentration meditation
they are a loss to Teluk Intan, some of these young and insight meditation have helped me to carry on my
Buddhists later become active Buddhist leaders in Dharma practice and missionary work. I am convinced
various Dharma centers in the bigger cities. the gift of the Dharma surpasses all other gifts!

Despite the difficulties, we continue to identify and Constant contemplation on the Four Foundations of
groom younger members to become leaders of the Mindfulness, particularly the Contemplation on Dharma,
association through various programs such as is one of the most important practices for me. One has
1. Dharma camps for students and youths to strive on mindfully to grow in faith, compassion, and
2. Dharma Classes and academic guidance classes wisdom. I constantly remind myself to contemplate
3. Guidance and Dharma-based programs for students and make the aspiration to be committed to Buddhist
of Buddhist societies in schools missionary work. At the same time I continue to strive
4. Sponsorship of courses on leadership and on ardently and diligently in my Dharma practice.
management and seminars conducted by national
Buddhist organizations such as YBAM or MBA. Can you share some stories that are close to your
heart whereby you believe the members have really
What sustained your commitment in carrying on benefited from some of the activities carried out by
missionary work for so many decades? the association over the years?

Over the last 30 years, I have seen many active Oh yes, over the last 30 years there have been many
Buddhist leaders fading out from Dharmaduta work or memorable happenings that made my confidence in
involvement in Dharma-based activities. The reasons the power of the Dharma soar to great heights. Let me
are manifold – ‘burnt-out’, caught in the worldly trap of narrate a few.
sensual pursuits, career and family matters, and loss of
An Asura Case?
interest in the Dharma. Some unfortunately have also
converted to another religion!
Ah Chai (not his real name) was a Sunday School student
I believe the primary reason why Buddhist missionary of mine in the early 1990s. He was a very hot-tempered
workers fade out is due to insufficient study, practice, and aggressive kid showing very difficult character
and realization of the sublime Dharma. If one has traits, many resembling those of an Asura, a class of
diligently practiced the Noble Eight-fold Path and belligerent divine beings in Buddhist cosmology. While
understood the meaning of Dāna (generosity), Sīla at school, he created many problems and was once