Page 155 - YBAM 50th Anniversary Souvenir Magazine

Peninsula. However, the second wave (both incarnations) and high profile of them located in the capital city, Kuala these traditions are authentic teachings
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has not made an impact on the natives lineage gurus from all four schools 15 Lumpur and its suburbs. Almost half of of the Buddha and share the same basic
of the land and Buddhism was introduced all add to the ever growing popularity of the centres in Malaysia belong to the doctrines such as the Four Noble Truths,

and practised only by the people who Vajrayāna Buddhism in Malaysia. Kagyu tradition, followed by Sakya. This karma and rebirth, dependent origination,
brought them back to this land. is largely attributed to the visits of the the three characteristics etc. Although
The very first Tibetan Rinpoche who 16th Karmapa and Sakya Trizin Rinpoche there may not be absolute agreement
Traditionally, Malaysian Chinese tend to introduced Vajrayāna Buddhism in since the mid-1970s. The proliferation of on the expanded tenets and there are

practise a blend of Mahāyāna Buddhism, Malaysia is widely believed to be His the Gelug and Nyingma schools are a seemingly major external differences
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suffused with Confucianism/Taoism while Eminence Tulku Urgyen, a highly realised later phenomenon. There is no doubt that such as the colour of the robes, language,
the Sinhalese and indigenous Malaysian Tibetan lama and Dzogchen master from Vajrayāna Buddhism has become very style of Buddha statues, methods of
Thai practise Theravāda Buddhism. Nepal. His Holiness the 16th Karmapa sent visible in the eyes of Malaysians in the supplication and practice, ceremonies,

Due to language barrier, the English- Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche to Ipoh in 1972 as last two decades. meditation techniques etc.—these are
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educated Malaysian Chinese began his personal representative. In the same by far cosmetic and do not contradict the
following the Theravāda tradition, which is year, H.E. Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche built Conclusion basic spirit of Buddhism as enshrined
largely attributed to the efforts of the late the first holy stupa according to Vajrayāna Multi-tradition Buddhism has been a in the Buddha’s Noble truths. Moreover,

Venerable Dr. K. Sri Dhammanda Maha Buddhist tradition in Malaysia next to the salient feature in this land since ancient sangha from any of the three traditions
Nayaka Thera/o. The Sri Lankan, Thai Kong Chee Name Cave 17 temple where times and is not a new phenomenon follow the same Vinaya 19 framework,
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and Burmese traditions form the core of he stayed in meditation for almost seven although contemporary Malaysian albeit minor differences 20 . In the final
Theravāda Buddhism in Malaysia. months. H.E Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, the Buddhism has all three major traditions analysis, it is due to the spiritual maturity

father of Lama Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche co-exist all at the same time and in of Malaysian Buddhists owed to the
The Third Wave— Vajrayana Buddhism was accompanied by three attendant great harmony. Malaysia owes its multi- efforts of great masters from all traditions
About fifteen years after Malaya achieved monks and conducted several Dharma tradition Buddhism largely to efforts of who have successfully passed on the
independence, i.e. in the early 1970s, activities, empowerments and oral Chinese and Sri Lankan immigrants and torch of understanding and appreciation

a third wave of Buddhism rekindled in transmissions. The second Tibetan Lama native people of Thai descent and more of diversity that the three traditions have
Malaysia, this time, in the form of Vajrayāna visited Malaysia was Tarig Tulku followed recently, Myanmar migrants who revived blended in harmony and have become
Buddhism. The type of Vajrayāna by HH the 16th Karmapa in 1976 along Mahāyāna Buddhism and Theravāda a defining characteristic of Malaysian
practised in Malaysia is primarily Tibetan with his entourage of regents. HH Sakya Buddhism respectively. The Vajrayāna Buddhism. May this spirit prevails in our

Buddhism and also from Bhutan. The Trizin Rinpoche was the fourth visited re-emerged not through immigration but beloved country.
growth of Vajrayāna Buddhism amongst Malaysia in 1978. His Holiness the 14th through the visitation of sangha from the
the Malaysian Chinese is due to the huge Dalai Lama first visited Malaysia in 1981. Himalayan region. Each major Buddhist
publicity it attracts, amongst others linked tradition is further divided according to

to His Holiness the Dalai Lama winning The first Vajrayāna Buddhist centre the country of origin, schools/nikayas 1 Buddhist chronology uses B.C.E. (before common
era) and C.E. (common era) not BC/AD.
the Nobel Peace Prize in 1995, visitations established in Malaysia is the Kuala and interpretation (e.g. Pure Land
2 Initially used to refer to Lower Burma, the term
by high lamas and the proliferation of Lumpur Karma Kagyu Centre in late 1977. School, Zen/Chan etc.). Regardless
now covers Lower Thailand, the Malay Peninsula
publications and other media. Popular After that, a wave of Vajrayāna Buddhist of the differences either between or and Sumatra.

Vajrayāna Buddhist personalities like His centres from all the four schools of Tibetan within the traditions, what is important 3 Timeline corresponds to the reign of Emperor
Ashoka. The Sri Lankan chronicle, Mahavamsa tells
Holiness the 17th Gwalwang Karmapa Buddhism emerged in the country, most to understand and remember is that all the story of two monks, Sona and Uttara who were
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50 YEARS OF DHARMA PRO PA GATION CO NTINUING THE MIS SION IN THE 5G ER A