Page 47 - EH64

FACE TO FACE | EASTERN HORIZON 45

Malaysia (UTM) where I had joined the Buddhist Society
that I became active in organizing Buddhist activities in
campus, and subsequently served as its Secretary, Vice
President, and President in my Final Year of my tertiary
studies.

After graduation, while working in Kuala Lumpur,
I accompanied the late Chief Reverend (K Sri
Dhammananda Maha Thera) on his many visits to
give talks at various Buddhist Societies in the local
universities. This further deepened my understanding
of the Buddha Dharma. After some time, Chief Reverend
asked me to give Dharma talks and this helped to
strengthen my confidence as a Buddhist speaker.

What motivates your strong interest in Dharma
work for over four decades?

Buck Soon: The main motivation that sustained my
strong interest in the Dharma is the inspiration from SKE in the late 1970s. His teaching materials known
the Buddha’s great compassion towards mankind. as the Integrated Syllabus and Buddhist Studies
What the Buddha did was incomparable considering contributed immensely to my understanding of
his great sacrifice of the luxuries he had in exchange Buddhism. I was impressed by his slogan of “Know
for a life of a wandering ascetic in the forest. After his Dhamma and Make Dhamma Known” which continues
Enlightenment, he spent 45 years teaching the Dharma to motivate me till today.
and established the Sangha which is still available today.
My interest in the Dharma is also sustained through my As I deepened my understanding of Buddhism, my life
interaction with members of the Sangha, who inspired was also transformed. I had developed more positive
me through their conduct and practice. Having studied mental qualities and became a much better person
and practiced the Dharma, I find it useful to lead a with many more friends. I then realized that the
meaningful life, having a goal in seeking liberation from more wholesome actions I do, the more happiness I
suffering. I strongly feel that as a gratitude towards my experience. My faith in the Buddha’s teachings inspired
teachers, I should provide the causes and conditions for me to continuously share the Teachings with others,
others who are interested in the Dharma to know about and reinforced my earnestness to develop and support a
the teachings of the Buddha. sustainable Buddhist Community. Thus, when I started
working for the Public Works Department and was
Charlie: At UTM, the late Chief Reverend became my required to be transferred frequently to different towns,
teacher and mentor. I spent my weekends and holidays I took the opportunity to start a Buddhist society each
studying Buddhism under him and he motivated me time I was relocated to a new place.
with his very systematic approach to the teachings.
My association with Buddhist student leaders and You were active with outreach programs in your
community leaders at the Brickfields Temple further younger days. How relevant are these activities to
motivated my missionary zeal. attract youths today?

I was also fortunate to meet another Buddhist teacher, Buck Soon: Outreach programs such as social
Venerable Piyasilo (now Bro Piya Tan of Singapore) in gatherings, trips, youth fellowship, and leadership