Page 64 - EH66

62 EASTERN HORIZON | BOOK REVIEW

Book Review

By Benny Liow Woon Khin

Monks in Motion Buddhism and Modernity
across the South China Sea, by Jack Meng Tat
Chia. (New York: Oxford University Press,
2020. pp 275.) Hardcover

As the title of the book indicates, this is a study disciples. Today Chuk Mor is recognized as the father of
of three Buddhist monks in Southeast Asia: Chuk Chinese Buddhism in Malaysia.
Mor (1913-2002), Yen Pei (1917-1996), and Ashin
Jinarakkhita (1923-2002). While most books on Chuk Mor was an influential writer. His writings,
Buddhism in Southeast Asia have focussed on published in newspapers, magazines and books helped
Theravada Buddhism in countries such as Burma, many people to practice the correct form of Buddhism
Thailand, Cambodia and Laos, Jack Chia’s pioneering and discard their superstitious beliefs. His lectures
work featured the maritime countries of Southeast touched upon the issue of religious orthodoxy based
Asia – Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia - where the on the Buddhist scriptures. He aimed to correct the
main Buddhist tradition is Mahayana. superstitions and misguided understanding of Buddhist
beliefs and practices in the minds of most Malaysians
The opening chapter explored the histories of Chinese during the period.
Buddhist migration, settlement, integration, and
th
networks in the 20 century. The author made a For instance, he set up the Triple Wisdom Hall in
connection between Buddhist communities in China Penang in 1965 where besides the usual temple
and Southeast Asia; hence, he coined the term “South activities, he organized a Dharma Study Centre, Free
China Sea Buddhism”. Secondly, he explored the role Sunday School, and Youth Group. He wanted Buddhists
of Chinese diasporic monks in the making of Buddhist to take refuge in the Triple Gem to be considered a true
modernism in Maritime Southeast Asia, and three of follower of the Buddha. Thus, he pointed out that all
them are featured in this study – Chuk Mor in Malaysia, Buddhists must undergo the refuge taking ceremony
Yen Pei in Singapore, and Jinarakkhita in Indonesia. at least once in their life time. He also wanted to unite
all Chinese-speaking Mahayana temples, organisations,
The author explained Chuk Mor’s transnational life Sangha and laymen into a national body through the
and career, starting with his education in China and Malaysian Buddhist Association (established in 1959)
association with Venerable Tai Xu where he was deeply where he served as its President for 12 years.
influenced by his ideas of Human Life Buddhism.
Chuk Mor then became a strong advocate for Tai Xu’s However, as Jack Chia explained, Buddhism was
call to reform Buddhism for the modern world. Thus, really not in decline in Malaysia but what Chuk Mor
when Chuk Mor arrived in Malaysia in 1954, he spent did with his reforms was to displace the existing
the next 50 years reforming Chinese Buddhism in the forms of Buddhism in post-colonial Malaysia with his
country. He was also a close associate of Master Yin interpretation of Human Life Buddhism.
Shun, another strong advocate of Humanistic Buddhism.
When Chuk Mor passed away in 2002, he left behind Venerable Yen Pei, originally from China, was a
127 monastic disciples and more than 50,000 lay respected scholar-monk and social activist in Singapore.