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training camps are some of the activities that I
organized in the past and I believe they are still relevant
today. In order to grow in the Dharma, we need spiritual
friends to guide us and it is through these activities that
we create and develop this friendship and bonding.
Spiritual friends will guide us in the right path towards
doing good, avoiding evil, and purification of the mind.

Charlie: As a youth, I remembered many enjoyable
social events that were organized at SKE but they
always had strong elements of Buddhist values in them.
We need to be skillful when teaching youths so that
we are not perceived as trying to instill fundamentalist
teachings to them in the early stage, but to sow the
seeds of a wholesome nature that will stay in their mind
stream for a long time. Such an approach will encourage
youths to remain as Buddhists and not be easily
converted to other religions which tend to be more
persuasive but aggressive in their missionary approach.
Youths should be taught skills that they can apply in Charlie: I will introduce Buddhism as a philosophy
their career and in their dealings with colleagues, family of living that is not dogmatic or superstitious, but a
members, and life partners. spiritual path that recognizes our intelligence and
ability to self-achieve. Like scientists, the Buddha taught
For example, we can organize leadership programs us to understand the root cause of our problems so that
through Holiday Camps, Cell Groups, and community we can solve them. Adopting a middle path approach,
out-reach that incorporates wholesome fun and there are therefore no extremist views in Buddhism.
fellowship, but at the same time important values of The Buddha’s formula on life is universal, and therefore
kindness, respect, self-control, patience, gratitude open to all who cares to follow it and not for a selected
and compassion for others. Such programs will few. If they truly practice the Buddha’s method, they will
eventually help to develop Buddhist leaders with strong experience peace and the joy of living. In a way it is a Do
fundamentals in Buddhism for the community. It Yourself (DIY) religion, and the rewards of mastering
this skill and knowing the truth is the best gift of life.
For someone with no knowledge of Buddhism, how
should we introduce them to the Buddhist path? Clearing misconceptions of Buddhism among
Malaysian Buddhists was what the late K Sri
Buck Soon: For new Buddhists who have no knowledge Dhammananda did through his talks and
of the Dharma, I would ask them to compare how much publications. What are the common misconceptions
time they spent on their spiritual well-being compared today, and how do we overcome them?
to their material well-being. Usually this will prompt
them to want to know more about the Dharma. I would Buck Soon: Two common misconceptions are that
also introduce the idea that happiness is a result of Buddhists must be vegetarians and that the Buddha was
doing good deeds since most people are inclined to a pessimist.
want happiness in their lives. I would also explain to
them that just as we need food for the body, we need During the Buddha’s time, the monks’ training rules
food for the mind, and the Buddha Dharma is food for did not allow them to cook and they have to walk to
the mind as it feeds the mind with wholesome thoughts the villages, which can be quite far away, for alms
leading to wholesome speech and action. round for their daily meal. They ate whatever the lay