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Taking the aforementioned tech companies as an example, Buddhist organisations need to have big-picture thinking and
focus on the practical application of the Dharma if they are to remain relevant in this Information Age. Carl Newport
mentioned in his book ‘Digital Minimalism’ that one of the important issues facing human civilisation today is the
rise of the attention economy, the impact of distraction to attention, and technological addiction. The severity of the
COVID-19 pandemic and the movement control orders have prompted the rise of digital Dharma propagation, reflecting
that there are new developments and opportunities on the other side of risks or crises. Buddhism happens to be an
effective solution to the problem of attention. The ‘Effective Ways to Relax’ by Akira Kugaya, a Medical Doctor from the
Department of Psychiatry, Yale University, and many books by the late famous Japanese industrialist Kazuo Inamori,
including ‘The Six Endeavours’ and ‘Heart’, all refer to the importance of teachings and practice of Buddhism to treat
the modern ‘disease of civilisation’ and care for the human minds. Buddhist teachings and practices such as meditation,
Three Studies (precepts, concentration and wisdom), mindfulness, and the concept of life and death can still play an
effective function in the age of technology and stand the test of changing times.

YBAM is about to usher in the era of the eighth Six-Year Plan. I hope that each generation of teams involved will take
into account the two factors of attention and energy in the implementation of coming activities, plans, and organisation
affairs. Organisations must clearly and truthfully recognize their own limitations, and make good use of the unique
strengths built up thanks to the persistence of each generation. It is also important to strike a proper balance between
protecting the fundamentals and exploring more blue ocean fields. This evolution should be guided by more sense of
crisis and precise involvement, rather than being restricted by sense of honor and more internal friction as mentioned
in the previous paragraph.

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