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ruling political parties as a way to secure recognition as genuine means that it is much harder for Malaysia to produce world class
Buddhist organisations. Their presence has posed a great challenge Buddhist leaders. Under such circumstances it is of no surprise
to the development of Buddhism as they adulterated the orthodox that Malaysia’s contribution to global Buddhism is rather limited.
teachings of the Buddha and misled many Buddhists about what the Thus far, there has been no Malaysian-based organisation that has
Buddha taught. established any significant influence overseas.
It may be noted that most globally based organisations, whether However, it should be noted that the late Ven. K. Sri
Buddhists or pseudo-Buddhists, are located in economically Dhammananda (1919-2006), a Sri Lankan who resided in Malaysia
more advanced countries like Taiwan and Japan, with Taiwan- most of his life, have made significant contribution to the spread
based organisations gaining stronger foothold in Malaysia due of Buddhism in many parts of the world through his writings.
to similarity of language (Chinese) used. Japanese and Korean His books have been translated into 16 languages and distributed
Buddhist organisations have brought Buddhism to USA and South worldwide . However, he did not attempt to build a “Buddhist
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America (mostly to immigrant Japanese and Koreans) but their Empire” like what many other great masters have done.
inroad to Malaysia is much less successful, due perhaps to the
language barrier. Malaysian Buddhists are well known for their generosity. They
would lend a helping hand to anyone in any part of the world when
India is an exception. It is not an economically advanced country, the need arises. Their financial contributions towards building
and hence their organisations have less resources. However, Indian temples and funding temple-run charity organisations in various
based organisations managed to globalise themselves by going countries, notably India and Nepal, are often sought by foreign
out to countries like Malaysia, Singapore and Taiwan. Their main Buddhist organisations. They are also well known in helping
intention is not so much to spread the Dharma, but more to tap the victims of natural disasters in many parts of the world . This is
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financial support of the wealthier Buddhists in these countries. perhaps the little contribution of Malaysian Buddhism to the global
Buddhist development.
Globalising Buddhism
How about Malaysia’s contribution to global Buddhism?
Malaysian Buddhists have the advantage of proficiency in English 10. For a more detailed description on the life and work of K. Sri. Dhammananda, see K.
to bring Buddhism to the world (an advantage often mentioned by Sri. Dhammananda Pictorial Retrospect by Benny Liow. BGF Publication.
Ven. Shin Yun), but have less financial resources when compared
with their Taiwan counterparts. Malaysian Buddhists are also 11. For example, the Buddhist Misionary Society Malaysia , Young Buddhist Association
of Malaysia, Tzu-chi Buddhist Merits Society and Foguang Malaysia offered financial and
hindered by an absence of formal Buddhist education in schools in physical aids to victims of Nargis Cyclone in Myanmar and victims of Sichuan earthquake
the country. The absence of formal Buddhist education in schools in China in 2008.
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