Page 45 - YBAM 50th Anniversary Souvenir Magazine

THE JOURNEY OF YBAM Malaysia is the second country in the world teacher courses, children’s teaching courses, CLBG (Company Limited by Guarantee)
to conduct National Buddhist Examination and Buddhist chanting courses to improve the registered under the Companies Act 1965
– A REMINISCENCE after Sri Lanka. The first YBAM National teaching quality of Buddhist classes. In 1978, without the word ‘Berhad’, and a non-profit
Convention (in 1972) adopted the resolution YBAM started the course for training Dharma company operating under the supervision
Writer | Leong Kok Hing Sek Chin Yong that the YBAM and Malaysian Buddhist speakers. After years of development, the of the Companies Commission of Malaysia
Gan Chee Wei Association (MBA) to jointly organise a united Dharma speakers training course appeared (Suruhanjaya Syarikat Malaysia, SSM).

Buddhist examination to assess students’ level under different names, aimed at encouraging Although it is a public limited company by

of understanding from the Dharma classes more people to serve as Dharma speakers, to nature, there is no registered share capital,
Since its founding in 1970, activities organised and Sunday schools across the country and make up for the shortage of Dharma teachers and the foundation’s financial resources
by YBAM are always forward-looking and improve the quality of Buddhist education. from Sangha members. come from donations from members and
contribute to the development of Buddhism. After the convention, the YBAM delegates fundraising activities. There are six founding
Numerous activities and policies of YBAM consulted Venerable Kim Beng, Venerable As the number of young people studying directors: Low Hooi Siah, Tan Gin Soon, Leong
in the past 50 years have been making Kim Seng, and Venerable P. Pemaratana and Buddhism increases, to strengthen their Kok Hing, Khoo Kok Lim, Kung Kok Chye,
profound impacts as well. Venerable K Sri Pemaloka from Theravada understanding of the Dharma and experience and Oh Lye Kim. According to the website
tradition, for their advice and opinions. On the Buddhist way of life, from 1974 onwards, of the SSM, the YBBM is the first foundation
State Liaison Committees Joint 24 February 1973, the Malaysian Buddhist the Buddhist Youth Training Camp has established by a Buddhist organisation. From
Meeting Examination Syndicate was formed with become a regular activity of the YBAM. At 25 to 27 May 1990, the 10th YBAM National
(The National-States Joint Meeting) representatives from MBA and YBAM. first, the Buddhist Youth Training Camp was Convention in Kuantan adopted a resolution
On 2 June 1973, the Malaysian Buddhist organised at the national level. However, to rename the name of the foundation from
To consolidate and strengthen the relationship Examination Syndicate announced details to accommodate students from all over the YBAM Foundation to YBBM to implement
between YBAM headquarters (HQ) and the of the examinations, textbooks, and context country, the training camp was changed to the foundation’s goal of serving Buddhism
member organisations in each state, strong of questions. The examination is divided into regional level later, which was divided into nationwide.
communication channels are vital to facilitate elementary, beginner, intermediate, and Northern Region (Penang, Kedah, Perlis,
the bottom-up and top-down transmission of advanced groups, and to be conducted in Perak), Southern Region (Melaka, Negeri The foundation once established the Young
messages. As soon as YBAM was formed, Chinese and English languages. The first Sembilan, Selangor, Johor), East Coast Buddhist Cultural Services (later transformed
the establishment of state committees began. examination was held on 4 April 1974, and Region (Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang) into Manjushri Sdn Bhd), Buddhist Audio
It was first named the State Subcommittee, the subsequent dates were changed to 1 and East Malaysia (Sabah, Sarawak). After Visual Library, Personal Charity Fund /
then renamed State Liaison Committee (SLC). May and 31 August. The annual Buddhist that, the SLCs organised the training for their Memorial Charity Fund to provide tertiary
The following SLCs were established: examination has been carried out without fail respective states, and the training camp education grant, foreign Buddhist education
KL/Selangor (1970), Penang (1971), Kedah since 1974. evolved into a state-level programme. After scholarship, examination fees subsidy,
(1971), Perak (1972), Terengganu (1972), the 1990s, many organisations are also varsities’ Buddhist activities sponsorship,
Melaka (1977), Johor (1978), Sarawak Training of Buddhist Talents and financially capable to host similar training Buddhist thesis award, etc. At the same time,
(1981), Pahang (1983), Sabah (1984), Perlis Buddhist Youth Training Camp camps under different names. The objective the foundation also set up a Sangha fund to
(1985), Kelantan (1986) and Negeri Sembilan of the Buddhist Youth Training Camp is to support the welfare of the Sangha members,
(1990). In 1979, the YBAM HQ organised the Since the 1970s, the number of Buddhist attract and connect with young Buddhists. hires professional Dharma speakers and
first National-States Joint Meeting (NSJM), organisations have been increasing speedily. To enhance Buddhist youth’s in-depth provides the incentive for Dharma speakers,
and it has been held annually since then. The Due to talent shortage, YBAM hosted a understanding of the Dharma, YBAM also monthly sponsorship for the library of
main purpose of NSJM is to plan the activities National Youth Leadership Training Course in started the Advanced Dharma Study Class in Persatuan Pengurusan Tokong Teng Wai Koi
for the upcoming year and coordinate the Kuala Lumpur in 1972. This course inspired 1979. Ipoh and Persatuan Kebajikan Komuniti Pu
activities across the states. The joint meeting YBAM to nurture talent and to carry out Ai Pulau Pinang in their pioneering stage,
is a small convention that strengthens the different types of leadership training. In Yayasan Belia Buddhist Malaysia sponsored the courses of Pahang Buddhist
functions and roles of the SLCs. 1977, YBAM successfully organised two (YBBM) Association, established the Pu-Men Children

Dharma class teacher exchange sessions Aid Scheme, and sponsors YBAM activities,
National Buddhist Examination and began to commence different courses, On 26 November 1979, YBAM has including Taiping Buddhist Youth Training
042 such as Dharma class teacher courses, music successfully registered the YBBM. It is a Centre, Eastern Horizon, Dharma Digest, 043

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