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FACE TO FACE | EASTERN HORIZON 37
Brother Ananda led a Dharma class in University of Malaya Buddhist Society.
A Dharma Educator’s Journey
from the Grassroots
By Dr Ananda Lee
Ananda Lee is currently an Associate Professor Wuan Hoong of Eastern Horizon interviewed Ananda
of Computing at Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman on 3 March 2025, where he shared his journey in
(UTAR) and the President of the UNITEN Buddhist learning the Dharma, travel stories, views on the future
Fellowship. He graduated from Universiti Tenaga of Malaysian Buddhism, and the rise of AI in Dharma
Nasional (UNITEN) in 2004 with a Bachelor’s propagation. The interview was later translated and
Degree in Information Technology, followed by a edited by both Wuan Hoong and Zhi Yi.
Master’s degree in Knowledge Management with Wuan Hoong: Can you please share with us your
Multimedia from Multimedia University (MMU). journey in learning the Dhamma?
Since then, he has been serving as a lecturer at
UTAR. In 2018, he earned his PhD in Information
Ananda: There were two main stages. The first was
and Communication Technology from UNITEN.
during secondary school, when I came across a Buddhist
magazine called Fa Lu Yuan (法露缘). It featured many
Ananda has been deeply involved in Buddhist stories about the Buddha, and I was struck by the depth
education for the past 20 years. He is a highly of wisdom they conveyed. This sparked my interest, and
sought-after Dhamma speaker, frequently invited I looked forward to each new issue.
to share at various Buddhist events organized by
universities across Malaysia. Outside of his academic The second stage began during my first year at UNITEN,
and spiritual commitments, he is also an avid when I joined the Buddhist Society. That marked my
traveler who enjoys exploring the world. first structured exposure to Buddhism and meditation
classes. I remember a senior who used to take more
than ten of us, one by one, on his motorbike from our
dormitory to the classroom, as university transport was
limited at the time. I was moved by his dedication.
We were guided in mettā meditation by Bhikkhu
Kaizhao, and Dharma classes were led by seniors—all
