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LEAD ARTICLE | EASTERN HORIZON 7

facing us. If possible, the Buddhist
leaders of all traditions should
establish a single organization
that truly represent all Malaysian
Buddhists in the country. At the
moment there is no one who is
recognized as the head of the
three Buddhist traditions in
Malaysia. Secondly, I will continue
to propagate the compassionate
teachings of the Buddha to as many
people as possible! Our motto is
to preach and share the Buddha’s
teachings to all who wish to learn
but we are not out to convert
others.
What is your assessment of Buddha and we follow a life of
Buddhism in this country? What discipline and good moral conduct.
are the key challenges Buddhists We are after all Buddhists even if
in Malaysia face and how can they we are from different schools of
overcome them? thought. The key challenge that we
are facing today is moral decadence
Compared to the time when I first of all sorts. As society progresses
came to Malaysia, I believe most materially, the moral compass
devotees today are more exposed seems to have been lost resulting
and aware of the various Buddhist in people committing many evil
Kung Kok Chye was born in 1950
traditions such as the Theravāda, and heinous crimes. We need to
and joined the Mahindarama
Mahāyāna and Vajrayāna. All three be on guard against all the various
Sunday Pali School at the temple
Buddhist traditions will continue to type of unwholesome actions that
in 1967. He studied Buddhism from
grow in Malaysia and it is important are rampant in our society, and the
the Preliminary level to Senior
for followers of each tradition to Buddha’s ethical teachings is the
level in 1969. He has served in
understand the similarities and best safeguard against the decay in
various capacities in the temple
differences in each tradition. There society.
management committee, as Assistant
should also be mutual respect
among followers of each other’s You have contributed a lot to Hon. Secretary to Hon. Secretary and
tradition. Buddhism in this country. What’s as Chairman since 2004. In 1998,
on your wish list that you would he was appointed a Trustee of the
While both the Theravada and like to carry out in the near temple. Kung has also served as
Mahayana traditions have been future? Chairman of the YBAM Penang State
Liaison Committee from 1978-1982,
in Malaysia for some time now, I
YBAM National Hon. Treasurer from
find that the Vajrayana tradition is Firstly, I would like to see more
1974 -1980, and Young Buddhist
growing very fast in this country. interactions among followers of the
Foundation Finance Director from
To me, it does not matter which three main Buddhist traditions in
1979 till 2014. EH
tradition you follow as long as we Malaysia. We must all unite as one
all realize that our teacher is the when confronted with problems