Page 46 - YBAM 50th Anniversary Souvenir Magazine

Malay Translation Bureau, etc. all over the country. When the Dharma Walk ‘Buddhism and Chinese Society’ with local no matter how remote the area is.
was first established, the amount of donations Chinese organisations. Buddhism has a In 2003, YBAM once again held the ‘A World
In the early 1990s, the foundation began to received is not the concern of YBAM. The profound influence on Chinese culture, art, Filled with Dharma’ Dharma talk series, and
plan and then constructed the Shah Alam objective of the Dharma Walk is to awake customs, literature, and architecture since it then ‘In Unity We Stand, In Harmony We
Bodhi Park. Currently the Bodhi Park has Buddhists in upholding the Dharma with a was introduced to China during the Emperor Strive’ Dharma talk series in 2007, and ‘A
emerged as an important Buddhist activity steadfast heart and to pave a bright future Han Ming’s reign. While defending Chinese Harmonious and Happy Family We Are’
and training centre in Central Region for Buddhism. Secondly, the publicity via culture, the Malaysian Chinese community Dharma talk series in 2009. Starting in
Malaysia. Dharma Walk could educate more Buddhists must also care about Buddhist culture. YBAM 2010, the Dharma talk series has been using
to understand the concept of YBAM. Thirdly, hosted National Buddhist Cultural Festival ‘Dharma Dew’ as the theme until today.
YBAM Six-Year Plan Dharma Walk can foster a better relationship in various areas throughout Malaysia from
between member organisations and YBAM, 1987 to 1991 to strengthen the Chinese Buddhist Textbooks
YBAM is the first Buddhist organisation and strengthen the cohesion of YBAM committees community’s understanding of Buddhist
one of the very few Non-Governmental and promote unity. After that, YBAM holds culture. In the mid-1990s, YBAM came up with the idea
Organisations (NGOs) that implement the the Dharma Walk on a triennial basis. Though of publishing Buddhist textbooks to provide a
paradigm of planned development. The Six- the approach and content of the event might To encourage the practice of Buddhism in comprehensive set of Buddhist textbooks for
Year Plan is the deployment and arrangement be changed, the spirit remains unchanged. daily life, YBAM held a seminar on Buddhist Dharma classes. In November 1998, YBAM
of the overall YBAM’s developmental culture and customs in Melaka in 1983. launched the curriculum and syllabus for
strategies, goals, policies, and plans. Since Buddhism and Chinese Culture After the seminar, a book entitled ‘A Guide primary school. After that, YBAM decided
planning is the main condition to ensure to Buddhist Practice’ was published as a to establish the ‘Primary School Buddhist
sustainable development of an organisation, On 27 March 1983, 15 leading national guidebook for Buddhists in daily life. Textbooks Editorial Board’ to compile the
the First Five-Year Plan was implemented Chinese organisations attended the Malaysian primary school Buddhist textbooks, and then
from 1981 to 1985. After that, the Five-Year Chinese Cultural Conference in Penang, Buddhism and Literature ‘Teacher’s Guidebook for Primary Buddhist
Plan was changed to a term of six years, so to prepare for submission of a national Textbooks’. It took over a decade to complete
that the Biennial National Convention can cultural proposal to the government. YBAM Since 1987, YBAM has hosted several the comprehensive content of all textbooks
conduct a mid-term review to identify the believes that Buddhist culture has a profound ‘Buddhist Literature’ seminars successfully and the teacher’s guide (Standard One to
progress of implementation and the goals influence on Chinese culture, so the national that were attended by writers and media Standard Six).
set for each stage. Through proper planning, culture should also include Buddhist elements. personnel. Once the participants learned
YBAM manages to maximise the impacts with The conference adopted YBAM’s ‘National about the Dharma, they will not misunderstand After that, YBAM moved on and began the
limited resources. Cultural Proposal’ which became the official Buddhism. Many participants later attempt to editorial work for secondary school Buddhist
appendix to the government memorandum. A incorporate Buddhist elements into their works, textbooks. The first and second volumes of ‘To
National Dharma Walk report prepared by YBAM for the conference to serve the function of purifying society and Always Follow the Buddha’s Teachings’ were
entitled ‘Buddhism and Chinese Culture’ was minds. To encourage more Buddhist youth to completed in 2014 and 2019 respectively,
The first ‘Dharma Walk’ was held in Penang also distributed on the spot. The Chinese engage in literature creation with Buddhist to serve as books for secondary school or
on 6 June 1982. Although it was hosted by Cultural Conference agreed with YBAM’s themes, YBAM has hosted many ‘Buddhist preliminary adult Buddhist classes.
the YBAM HQ, it was not a national event. view that non-Islamic religions should be Writing’ camps since 1988.
The success of this Dharma Walk laid the conferred status in the national culture. National Service Training
foundation for the ‘National Dharma Walk’ Dharma Talk Series Programme (NS)
in 1983. The evolution of Dharma Walk into After the article ‘Buddhism and Chinese
a national event has provided an opportunity Culture’ published in various newspapers In 1991, YBAM organised a six-month ‘A The Malaysian government introduced the NS
for all Buddhists throughout the country to take across the country, it has attracted the World Filled with Dharma’ Dharma talk series, programme in 2004 and arranged for trainees
part in the event. Back then, no civil society attention of the Chinese community towards a total of 150 talks had been held in Malaysia. to receive religious teachings at nearby places
organisation in Malaysia had ever attempted Buddhism. From 1983 to 1990, YBAM spared To implement the Dharma education in all of worship. To ensure young people were
to conduct charity walks nationwide on a day. no effort in hosting and jointly organising parts of the country, including rural areas to exposed to the authentic Buddha’s teachings,
This is an innovative concept which attracted a series of seminars, forums on the topics have access to the Dharma, YBAM has been YBAM fought through various channels to be
044 the attention of Buddhists and people from of ‘Buddhism and Chinese Culture’ and working untiringly to arrange Dharma talks appointed as the official coordinator for the 045

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