Page 151 - YBAM 50th Anniversary Souvenir Magazine

Malaysian Buddhism would necessitate the Malay Archipelago. Ancient Indians
sincere scrutiny of the religious history labelled the archipelago as Suvarnabhumi
2
that has shaped the Buddhist landscape (the Land of Gold) or Suvarnadvipa (the

in this country. There has never been a Island of Gold).
better time than now to unequivocally
acknowledge the immensely rich Buddhist The first wave of Buddhism in this
Venerable Dr. Karma Tashi Choedron cultural heritage that Malaysians possess land can be analysed in terms of the
Assistant Professor in Development Studies, University of Nottingham, Kuala Lumpur which dates back to approximately introduction of the early form of Buddhism
Deputy Director of Education of Vajrayana Buddhist Council of Malaysia (VBCM)
Religious Advisor of Malaysian Buddhist Consultative Council (MBCC) two millennia. Moreover, for Malaysian most closely associated with present-
Buddhists to appreciate the diversity day Theravāda Buddhism; followed by
MULTI TRADITION, THE DEVELOPMENT OF and richness of Buddhism, it is crucial Mahāyāna Buddhism and the later tantric

MALAYSIAN BUDDHISM to at least have a baseline appreciation form of Buddhism, which we know today

of our collective religious history in this as Vajrayāna Buddhism.
blessed land. Otherwise, as per what
Marcus Garvey said, ‘A people without Early Buddhism

the knowledge of their past history, origin Some historical accounts date the
Introduction embracing diversity within Buddhism
and culture is like a tree without roots’. introduction of Buddhism in the Malay
It is against the backdrop of sweeping and with adherents of other religions has
The history of multi-tradition Buddhism Archipelago by ancient Indian traders to
changes currently taking Malaysia by always been a defining factor for Malaysian
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in Malaysia can be understood in three Malay Peninsula as early as 200 BCE , at
storm that I am tasked to pen my thoughts Buddhists which we should be proud
waves: the first wave encompasses the least three hundred years before it was
on the topic of multi-tradition Malaysian of. This is a land where all three major
1
entire ancient Malaya from 200 B.C.E to introduced to the Far East and eight
Buddhism. With Malaysians of various Buddhist traditions; namely Theravāda,
the 12th century C.E; second wave during hundred years before Tibet. Others report
creeds in euphoria over the recent political Mahāyāna and Vajrayāna Buddhism not
the Malacca Sultanate followed by the that the earliest Buddhist missionary
transition, there is an overwhelming only co-exist in harmony, but often cross
British colonial era and the third wave post activities occurred around the 3rd century
sense of wellbeing and renewed hope in paths and influence the flourishing of one
Merdeka and the formation of Malaysia. CE. Indian traders and missionaries
the air that has truly united a nation for another. The three main representative
This article scrutinises the historical travelled the maritime route, i.e. via the
the first time in decades. With the fresh bodies of these traditions are the recently
development of Buddhism in Peninsular Gulf of Bengal and the Eastern Indian
affirmation by the new government on formed Theravāda Buddhist Council of
Malaysia, thereby providing the basis for Ocean and brought Indian culture and
the importance of respecting cultural and Malaysia (TBCM), the long-standing
the understanding of the development of its religions to the people of this region.
religious diversity, the future of Malaysia Malaysian Buddhist Association (MBA)
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multi-tradition Buddhism in Malaysia. Chinese annals and Pali canonical works
has never looked more optimistic, as far and the Vajrayāna Buddhist Council of
such as the Niddesa and the Milindapanha
as religious practice is concerned. Malaysia (VBCM). Needless to say, there
Roots of Buddhism in Malaysia: reveal that early Indian Buddhism and
are hundreds of Buddhist organisations
The First Wave Hinduism were well established in the
Apart from Singapore which shares a which belong to either one of the three
The land mass of Peninsular Malaysia Malay Peninsula by the 6th century
similar religious landscape, it is difficult traditions and are under the auspices of
The land mass of Peninsular Malaysia CE. For example, Chinese annals
to pinpoint any other country which these umbrella bodies.
and its neighbouring islands now known clearly record the existence of Buddhist
showcases and preserves inter and
as Indonesia are collectively known as kingdoms in the Malay Peninsula such as
148 intra-religious diversity. Nonetheless, Any discussion on the development of 149

50 YEARS OF DHARMA PRO PA GATION CO NTINUING THE MIS SION IN THE 5G ER A