International Buddhist Programs 2012

It was a busy year for my involvement with international Buddhist programs this year. For the first time ever I participated in a Buddhist program held in Europe.

The World Buddhist Youth Leaders Assembly was held from 1st - 8th December 2012 in Taipei, Taiwan. The whole event was hosted by Ci-Hang Social Welfare Foundation Taiwan. Participants learned about Taiwanese Buddhism thru visits to Chung Tai Shan, Fo Guang Shan, Tzu Chi Buddhist Foundation and Dharma Drum Mountain.

As part of the preparation work for the World Buddhist Youth Leaders Assembly 2012, I went to Taiwan in August 2012 with the WFBY Secretary General, Denphong Suwannachairop to visit and had discussion with the host, Ven. Chi Sin and Ven Wei Jing of Ci-Hang Social Welfare Foundation and other co-hosts.

The WFBY 17th General Conference was held in Yeosu, Korea in June 2012. A new Executive Board was elected for the term 2012-2014.

 

The WFBY organized an international program in European soil for the first time in its history when the International Buddhist Youth Forum was held in Germany in April 2012. We also visited UN office in Geneva, Switzerland.

 

Went to Taiwan in March 2012 to attend a meeting to review the constitution of WFBY with Ven Wei Jing and Denphong S. Also met Fo Guang Shan Buddha Memorial Centre Abbot in charge Ven. Hui Chuan to discuss on event to be held there in December 2012.

Selangor State Level Wesak Celebrations 2012

Wesak commemorates the three important events in the life of the Buddha- His Birth, Enlightenment and Passing Away. These events took place on the full-moon day in the lunar month of Vesakha, which falls between April and May in our conventional calendar. Officially, the first full-moon day of May is designated as Wesak Day in Malaysia. Amongst Buddhists, it is also known as Buddha Jayanti – the Birth of the Enlightened One. Wesak has been declared as a public holiday since 1962, in recognition of Buddhism being the religion with the second largest following in the country.

After His Enlightenment, the Buddha wandered through many parts of India for forty-five years, compassionately disseminating the message of peace without any discrimination as to who his listeners were. Millions followed His teachings and realized their greatest potential as human beings – having attained that unshakable peace of mind and liberation from suffering.

The Buddha left behind a rich legacy of teachings - the Dhamma-Vinaya. Over the last twenty six centuries, people continue to look into His sublime teachings for solace, inspiration and guidance. Throughout history, the disciples of the Buddha – monks, nuns and lay people – have faithfully carried out the message of the Great Teacher, persistently and diligently serving the world with compassion. The contribution of Buddhism towards the spiritual and cultural advancement of humanity is indeed most valuable, and is even recognized by the United Nations.

Recognizing the Buddhist community’s contribution to the state and being the second largest religious community in the state, the State Government of Selangor for the second year continuously will be holding an official Wesak celebration at the Jubli Perak Auditorium, Shah Alam at 7.00 pm, Tuesday, 1st May 2012.This event will be officiated by the Dato’ Menteri Besar of Selangor; Y.A.B. Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Abdul Khalid bin Ibrahim.

The program during the celebration includes performance by some of the popular Buddhist performing groups in the country which includes Bodhi Group, Big Chip and Guan Yin Foundation. Dances will be presented by the internationally acclaimed Dua Space Dance Theatre while the Tzu-Chi Buddhist Merit Society will be performing Hand Gestures accompanied by songs. The Fo Guang San Malaysia will be presenting an animation on the Buddha and also other performances.

There will three Wesak Day Floats exhibit outside the auditorium building and an exhibition on the Life of the Buddha will be displayed at the ground floor of the building.

Admission to this celebration cum concert is free of charge. Members of the public are advised to arrive early as general seating’s are on first come first serve basis. Light vegetarian food will be served from 6.00pm onwards at the banquet hall before the performances starts.