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44 EASTERN HORIZON | FACE TO FACE
Dr Ong is an
accomplished The Udumbara
Buddhist leader and
Dharma speaker. He Mission
helped to establish
the Buddha’s Light Support
International
Association (BLIA)
Manchester chapter Program in
and served as its
Vice President when he was a student in the UK, Cambodia
and has also served as President of the Young
Buddhist Association of Malaysia, Vice President By Dr Ong See Yew
for the World Fellowship of Buddhist Youth,
and Director of the Malaysian Buddhist Youth Benny: You started the Udumbara Mission in
Foundation. He is currently President of the Cambodia to assist the monks with their education.
Melaka Buddhist Lodge (Chee Sze Lin), Secretary What’s the meaning behind “Udumbara”?
General for the Malaysian Buddhist Kulapati
Association (MBKA) and Chairman of the See Yew: Yes, Udumbara Mission was founded in
editorial board of Eastern Horizon magazine. Malaysia in 2013 with the primary objective to
Dr Ong was also the Founder President of transform lives through education for not just monks
Udumbara Mission, a charitable organization but also Buddhist children/youths in less privileged
that provide education and welfare support to Buddhist countries especially Cambodia, India and
children and youth in underdeveloped countries Nepal. We chose the name “Udumbara” as according
especially in India and Cambodia. to the Buddhist text, it is an auspicious flower which
blooms once every 3000 years. It symbolizes the
precious or rare opportunity to have a human body and
He has also received many international awards to encounter the Buddha Dharma. In recognizing that
for his leadership in Buddhist activities. The our life is as precious as “Udumbara”, it’s our mission to
most recent award was the Maha Sirivaddha support the children who deserve the best support to
(Knight Grand Cross) of the Royal Order of live their lives and potential to the fullest.
Cambodia in 2023.
How did this mission start and why did you choose
Dr Ong is a senior IT and Management Cambodia where Buddhism is a state religion, and
Consultant with a leading multi-national the Sangha is expected to be well supported by the
corporation and holds a Doctorate in Business state?
Administration.
The mission started in 2012 when we were approached
Benny Liow, who has worked closely with Dr by a group of Indian Buddhist youths who were looking
Ong in many Buddhist programs, interviewed for sponsorship to support four girls from the Bihar
him following his award by the Government of province to complete their tertiary education. These
girls came from very poor families. According to the
Cambodia for his charitable work in the country.
local culture, they were asked to get married at a very
young age and were not given adequate support for
their education, especially so when they were from the
