VOICE OFBUDDHISM

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VOIBE OF BUDDHISMReg. No. KDN 974

I

Vol. 1 No. 2 euarrerly July 1964

Published byThe Buddhist Missionary Society, Jalan Berhala, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

BUDDHISM CAN HELPBUILD NATION

(A speech delivered by Hon. Mr. Tan Siew Sin,t!9 Minjlter of Finance on Vesak Day at theCheng Hoon Teng Temple, Malacca)'.

A living faith which can exert a real influence"Buddhists in this cgunjry. are more concemed with the external trappingsof their religion than with. its basic teachings and its etemal values',."We have concentrated on form rather than on substance. This is not whatit should be".Buddhism, he_ pointed out, preached the very antithesis of materialism, but the

chinese were probably one of the most materiaristic races in the world.If Buddha had taught anylhing,_ it was that devotion to an impersonal causeor an impersonal ideal transcerided -devotion to woddly possessions.

Devotion"This fundamental teaching of his could have tremendous relevance in the con-telt 9{ -a 4ilura!- gociety^ like ours,- living.in the second half of trre tweniieth ;rtrty,of which the Chinese form a substantial and not unimportant segment," fre saii."Devotion to an impersonal cause can be a trernendous asset in our task of

nation-building".o'If we" the Malaysian Chinese in this land of promise, can absorb this part of

his-tlaching to the full we could in this cou_ntry,_make Buddhism not only iliuirgfaith but also in the process contribute a worthy

- share to the nation to wtrictr wE

have the honour to belong."

. "lf I Tay say so in all humility, because I am not a teacher of ,the religion,nor do I urEr-" to be on^e, rhe a_ctual practice of Buddhism today is a rar cry ?romwhatthisnoblescionofanoblefamilytriedtoinculcatein'us'''

Mr. Tan added that this was why he had advocated the establishment of aBuddhist Council for the cgqnt^ry, with- the oqjgct of making Buddhism u huiogfaith which could exert a real influence on the diily lives and ionduct of those whfiprofessed it.

'=T

RETIGIOUS HAMilONY

(Speech by Mr. Lee Kuqn Yew,Prime Minister of Singapore, at the

Mass Meeting ctf Vesak Celebrqtions atVictoria Memorial Hatrl on 25th May 1964)

This is the first major religious celebr-ation which it has been my honour to takepart in since Malaysia. I am happy, tosay that in the nine months since Malaysia,religious tolerance and inter-r"eligious har-mony has continued and kept all our' different communities happy.

It is this broad tolerance which willensure our survival as multi-racial, multi-religio,us society. There ate too manyexamples around us in Asia to show whathappens when politics and religion are mixedup. When religion makes a bid for secularpower through political parties or move-ments, then religious intolerance sets in.The end result is a great deal of strife andunhappiness for the whole country.

There are as many religions in Malaysiaas there ate difierent races who havemigrated here, and the different missionarysocieties have done valuable work here.All of them contribute to the spiritual needsof the population. They give a set ofmoral values more or less of universalapplication. ,All the great religions havecertain comrnon virtues which they inculcateinto their followers - humanity, humility,righteousness and a social conscience.Even in the oldest Communist country inthe world, religion still continues to playits role, eloquent testimony of man's neeilfor moral and spiritual solace in tirnes of

stress and strain. It is when a societybecomes more and more souless that thedoctor and the tranquilliser are relied uponfor the mental and spiritual health of thesociety.

It is not without reason that despitethe divergent political and religio,us back-grounds of the Ministers who constitutethe Central Govemment and the SingaporeGoveinment they are' completely ugtJed onthe principle of freedom of worship. Itnot only upholds a basic human right but itaiso helps to prevent a vacuum in men'smind which the Communist doctrines willexpolit.

But this policy can oly succeed if weall remain conscious of our dutv to theover-riding principle of intei-religioustolerance. Every religion should be allowedto practise its faith and propagate its ideals.But no one religion should in the exerciseof its faith, upset the susceptibilities andsensitivities of the followers of another.Other"wise the value of having so manyroligions working amongst our po,pulationin keeping out godless philosophy thatleads to trouble will be lost in lhe evengreater trouble that could follow a conflictbetween fervent and fanatical followers ofreligions making a bid for secular powerin the political arena.

The Buddhist religion is renowned forthe qualities of kindliness and tolerancethat it preaches. On this birthday of LordBuddha, the epitome of that kindliness, theserence and tranquil approach to life andits proiblems, I take this opportunity towish all its followers spiritual fulfilment ina woild of constant tension in which welive. The work of our religious leaderscan be of as great a value as that of theGovernment. Whilst it is the dutv of theGovernment to look after the 'physical

needs and health of the population, it needsthe help of religious leaders to look afterthe spiritual health o'f the nation. If wedo our respetive duties well, we shall alwayshave a wellbalanced and healthy society.It is on this note that I extend myfelicitations to all Buddhists on thisauspicious occasion of Vesak.

I

SIGNIFICANCE OF BUDDHISM INTHE MORDEN WORLD

By Rev. Kodo Matsunami ( Hawcii)

In our morden v5a, we seem toacquire almost everything we want if wework and earn money. Money has certainlybrought us modern conveniences whichshorten our working hours and we findIeisures in our daily life.

However, we realise at the same timethat those modern conveniences do notnecessarily solve our life problems. Aninteresting number of people are sufferingfrom their material or mental burdenswhich shake their very foundation of being.Even for us, our life is always threatenedby the endless flow of insecurity and fear.The rnan whom we met yesterday mighthave an accident and die to-day. Tomorrorvthere might be another war which wouldkill our lives.

The possession of an automobile or ahouse is no compensation for inner in-security and fear. When we mme torealise that materials are necessary but nota prior means to enrich our lives, we findonly in religion that which enables us tofind the inner security and the meaningof life.

There are many forms of reiigionaround us which seim to appeal to "ourqind. . However, they only approach usindirectly. Some emphasize so-cial servicealmost to the point of forgetting other as-pects of religious life, and some othersemphasize routine participation in cere-monie$ and acceptance of dogma of theauthority of the church. Their theologicaldocl.rines regarding supernatural powerslound in healing or miracles are nol easilyrelated to our daily life. Therefore, theybecome increasingly difficult to understandand practise.

Those unsatisfied and vet earnestpeople seeking some real solution to themany problems of their troubled lives, somesolution that will satisfy both their intellectand sentiment, and not finding it in eitherof the traditional religions, leave religion

entirely, hoping to find the answer in thewodds of pleassure. Ilowever, they failto find the meaning of life in them anclbecome nihilistic or mentally distorted sothat they can no longer face their lifeproblems objwtively.

We must be aware that the Sabbathwas made for man, not man for theSabbath. We must become masters, notslaves, of conventional ways of the lifewhich are always depriving us. .In thissense, Buddhism stands out in growingrelief.

Buddhism is a world retrigion and aryay of trife which was founded byGautama the Buddha, about 2500 yearsago. What he revealed was the uniqueteaching which had not been manifesfedby any sage in this world. He himselfhaving had a bitter experience on lifeproblems and through his own struggles.found the way how to overcome tliern.This way is called the Oneness of life whichhas no exact parallel in Western religions.

Gautama Buddha deenlv oursued thatall sentient beings have in dommon thedesire to live and realise themselves inthqir own ways. All cling to existence andare able to survive only at the expe,nse ofother life. Therefore, he finally -believed

that the only way we can serve withouthurting each other is in only experiencingthe bisic identity of all life'tnoigtr Uei"Eextinct from it.

Our world is nothing but the manifest-ation of the Oneness of life where allbeings, animate or inanirnate, existindependently. On this basic ground oflife, man sets out distinctions and separateswiiat is "mine" from what is not 'irnine".This distinction arises from a ciccit :r::rc:of attachment in man called blind'craving.According to Buddhism, blind cravingdifferentiates Oneness into a plural worldof Manyness" and there arises conflict, mis-understandings, and frictions within man

4

himself. From this blind craving comesthe conscious self, affirrning its essentialselffishness. Because of man gain againstOneness by affirming the blind cravingwithin, he' creates an illusory world ofManvness which is not a real world buta world create.d in the imagination of man.

If we understand the importance of theOneness of life, we can partake other'sjoy, being happy with and for other'shappiness, since we are one and the mis-treatment of another is none other thanthe mistreatment of self.

Oneness is, therefore, the highest truth,and is called the Buddha, the EnlightenedOno, the one who has attained clearunderstanding of life. When his disciplesasked him, "Are you a God?" he said,"No". "A saint?" "No". "Then, whatare you?" He answered, "I am awake".His answer becams his title, for this iswhat Buddha means.

The Buddha is accordingly not theGod who creates the universe nor a supremedeity with a transcended authority andpo*"r. He is also not the judg6 whopunishes us nor the jealous God who dis-criminates man good or bad. He israther the guiding light imminent in theuniverse. His immeasurable wisdo,m andboundless cornpassion give us the insightto see the fragility of our human life andthe urge to actively embrace all into theOneness of life.

T'hus, we are the potential Buddhas,and the Buddha and us are independentand interrelated. In this Oneness of lifeis achieved its sigrificance to realise theBuddha in man I in the Buddha. Thisis not the mystical nor speculativeexperiences which only the qualified mancould acquire, but is the spontaneousexperience which is manifested in our dailylife.

The Buddha's teaching is sought notby inferring, nor by argument but onlyby the direct experience based on the truth,the laws of causation. The Buddha said"One thing I teach is nothing but theexistence of suffering and the ceasing of

suffering". His teaching is thereforescientific and practical, and is always relatedto us, our problems, our nature, and thedynamics of our development.

When the Buddha was about to passaway, he left his final message to Ananda,one of his disciples; "Therefore, O Ananda,be ye lamps unto yourself. Be ye a fefugeto yourself. Betake yourself to not externalrefuge. Hold fast.slithe:Truth as a lamp.Hold fast as a refuge "to the Truth . . .

Work out your own salvation withdiligence.

For over 2500 years Buddhism hasdeveloped systems of thought and institu-tions, and yet they have ons end calledthe Oneness of Life in the Buddha'sWisdom and Compassion.

(Extracted from World Buddhism)

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TRIBUTE TO T!-IE LATE MR.. NEHR.U,

PRIME MINIST'ER OF INDM

A Memorial Service was held on 30thMay at the Buddhist Temple, Brickfields,to transfer the merits to late Pandit Nehruaccording to Buddhist rites. A big crowdtook part in the Service.

Addressing the gathering Ven. K.Dhammananda said the world withoutNehru, he feels, is an ernpty world. Theworld as a whole was alwavs ever readvand waiting to get his advice often t6settle the disputes and conflicts. Wheneverthere was any trouble in any part of theworld, people used to say "dbn't worrvNehru is there to set{.le it;. Todav he isgone. His majestic figure is tto moreamong us. But his good example, principlesand good namc will remain forever.The name he left behind has overniehtbecome an immortal one.

Mr. Nehru was a great man in evervsense of the word. He was not onlv thLleader of a. great country which throulhoutthe centuries has always produced

*great

people but a leader for the entire w-odd.There was never in History where a singlepolitician was honoured and loved so muihby so many.

He was not only a politician but also1 greal philosopher, good orator, wrirer,free . thinker, man of great courage,principles and wisdorn who did not agrieto surrender his view under any circurn-stances.

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He suffered a lot to get back the lostfreedom of his country. He sacrificedeverything for the sake o{ his motherlandand his people.

There was never a single leader ofIndia who has done a gteat service for thesake of Buddhism like Mr. Nehru afterEmperor Asoka. Almost all the Buddhistsacred p,laces in India have been renovatedunder his instructions. F{e had said onmany an occasion that he was trying toadjust his life according to the teachingsof the Buddha. Wherever and wheneverhe attended world conferences, he alwaystalked about the Buddha's message ofpeace and advised the public if they reallywanted to have Peace in this world, thenthe only solution is to follow the Buddha'sadvice.

He said whenever there are worriesand miseries in his mind he alwavs usedto go to the Buddha image and -editatea little while and think how this great mantried to solve the world's problems. TheBuddha image has on many an occasiongiven him great comforl and p€ace ofmind.

His death in an irreplaceable loss tothe whole of humanity. Although veryoften in life we use this word "irreplaceable"yet here is a genuine case where a lossis really irreplaceable.

Mr. Teh Thean Choo, President of theWorld Fellowship of Buddhist, SelangorCentre, and the Buddhist MissionarySociety" also addressed the gathering.

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Stafi and Students of the Sunday Schoo{, Mangala -Vihara S'pore.

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MR. NEHRU ON BUDDHISM

"The Buddha's eyes are closed, but some power of the spirit look out of them

and a vital energy fills the frame. The ages role by and Buddha seems not so

far away after all; his voice whispers in our ears and tells us not to run away

from the struggle but, clam-eyed, to face it, and to see in life ever greater opport-unities for growh and advancement.

When I was in jail, I used to think of this statue of the Buddha, and it was

a source ol tremendous inspiration l"o me.

The only alternative weapon that humanity can choose against the destructivsweapon of hydrogen bomb is the teaching of Lord Buddha. I have a great respect

and regard to Lord Buddha. We can only establish peace and happiness in the

world by following the teaching of the Buddha.

In this wodd of storm and strife, hatred and violence, the message of the

Buddha shines like a radiant sun. Perhaps at no time was that message more

needed than in the world of the atomic and hydrogen bomb.

Two thousand five hundred years have only added to the vitality and truthof that message. Let us remember that immortal message and try to fashion ourthoughts and actions in the light of that teaching. So we may face with equanimityeven the terrors of the atomic bomb age and help a little in promo;ting right thinkingand right action.

The path that the Buddha showed us is, I believe" the only path humanitymust tread if it is to escape disaster, for us in India it should be our peculiar good

fortune to try to tread that path".

HAPPINESS(BY VEN. M. SUMANA, STNGAPORE)

Buddhism is more a way of livingthan a religion. The teaching of TheBuddha is not only for attaining emancipa-tion after life, but for the upliftment forthe present and future lives. There aremany Suttas especially preached for lay-men to practise, so that their lives wouldbe happy and pleasant. Maha MangalaSutta, Sigalovada Sutta, Vasala Sutta andVyaggapajja Sutta are sorne of them, whichshould be followed by those, who want tomake this life a happy and a pleasant one.

Happiness is a state of mind. Theaverage man places his happiness in mattersexternal, such as property, rank, children,wife and such others, which are imper-manent. Once he losses anyone of theseexternal matters, then his happ'iness dis-appears and there is disappointment. Thisworld of ours is full of disappointments asthings do not happen as we wish. Thusone should train himself to face anvsituation with fortitude.

Buddha divided human beinss intofour groups, viz.(1) Those who do not care for themselves

or for others;(2) T.hose who care for themselves but

not for others;(3) Those who care for others but not

for themselves:(4) Those who care for themselves as

well as for others.Buddha praised the fourth group.

Purpose of life is two-fold - dutiestowards one-self, and duties towards others.Of these two duties, towards onself shouldbe the flrst. One should first establishhimself in what is proper and then shouldinstruct others. That is the way of Buddha.

Let us always bear in mind that avirtuous and a noble character built onlofty principles is the manls highestpossession that brings him true happiness.There cannot be lasting happiness- in achanging world. A look round the world,would convince one the truth of this. Is

there a horne that has not mourned thedeath of a near and a dear one? Isthere anyone who is free fro'm sickness, oldage and death? Everything that we dependon to make us happy, the law of imper-menance will lay its cruel hands on anddestroy the happiness expected tlroughthem. ,

Buddha gave a definite message tolaymen. He pointed out that fundmentalthing that one should bear in mind is "theprincipal of moral growth". The firstelementary stage of this moral growth con-sits in practising the five Precepts. Thispractice is very essential. Ground must becleaned for sornething new to be built.Evil must be rernoved before good can bepractised. Removing these five evils oneis led to grow as a moral being, and thusto be a better social being. One whopractises Precepts will never be a sourceof fear to anyone. He is a blessing to thesociety. Having refrained from the fiveevils and adhering to the precepts oneshould practise "metta" - gobdwill to all.We live among others, whom we may hate,and who in rEturn hate us. One who hatesothers does not grow in moral sLature. Hewill be mentally unhealthy and unhappy.VI.!t+, therefore, is a means of attiirighealth and happiness. lt restores one topeace, _happiness, calm and equanimity.The only way of disarming those who widhus evil, is to wish them good. As lightdiqoels darkness, the good forces of good-will vanquish the forces of ill-will. -Thisis a psychological truth.

Each individual's position in thesociety consits of two things - duty to-wards others, and practice of goodwill tothem.

No one should be-little this world. asit..is impossible to do a sudden jump toNibbana. Our progress should

^ be

gradual. This fact should be understoodand realised and should try to make thislife bettEr and better, and happier andhappier.

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Some people in this country do notseem to know about the end of colonialrule and the recession of the missionarywave that swept this country about acentury ago. Such peop'le, who have takennot the slightest interest in the afiairs oftheir country, are living in a dangerousbackwater. They are the types who sendout'young people to do the Billy Grahamkind of evangelism in this country. Thatmay be all right in countries with a certaintraditional religious background, but herein Malaysia dozens of other religions andsects abound to render the Billy Grahamtyp: of evangelism ineffectual.

( extra:cted fram Malayan Times)

CONGRATULATIONS

To Senator T. H. Tan, one of theIratrons of our Society for having beenconferred a Datoship by the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong on his birthday, in recogni-tion of his loyal service to the country.Senator Tan is an ardent supporter andleader of the Buddhist cornmunity in thiscountry. We invoke the blessings of theHoly Trip'le Gem for his happiness andprosperit-y to do more service to thiscountry.

SELIING PARAI}TSE

From time to time certain religioussects" not indigenous to this country, sendout their young members on house-to-housecanvassing assignments. These youngsters,imbued with the evangelistic spirit, knockat doors and try to preach to people aboutsaving their souls.

Some people, out of politeness, tellthem they have their own religions whichthey do not wish to change. But someo,f these young preachers start to arguelike some milk salesmen why their brandof milk is better than all the other brands.

Young people in their late teens orearly twenties are just entering the thres-hold of adult life and have not yet tastedthe bitterness, frustrations, and other acuteproblems of living. Yet such chaps aresent out by their missions to start a one-sided argument about the virtues of theirparticular faith with peop,le who have seenlife at its best and at its worst.

During colonial times, droves of suchindoctrinated young religious workers weresent out among the masses to bring thernin for conversion. Today conditions havechanged, and not many people will havethe patience to listen to these young sales-men of paradise, or tolerate their bablingsabout a sinless heaven.

Recently a father was puzzled whythe mission school his son attended did notallow the boy to offer religious knowledgeas a subject for a certain local examination.The reason was this subject was not in thecurriculum.

The father cornplained about lack ofreligious training in schools. '-[his manshould send his children to Sunday schoolor other religious centres of receive train-ing in their religion. Ordinary schoolsshould remain secular, o'therwise therewould be no end to the numbor o{ religionsclamouring for instruction in our schools.

BUDDHIST MISSIONARY SOCIITT

Office Bearers for The Year 1964

Patrons

Hon. Mr. Tan Siew Sin, r.p.

Dato T. H. Tan, J.M.N., M.p.Hon. Mr. Cheah Seng Khim, J.p., M.p.

Spiritual Director/Gendral AdviserVen. K. Dhammananda Thera

Religious Advisers

Ven. Itr. Gunaratana Thera Ven. Pandit Pemaratana TheraVen. M. M. Mahaweera Nayaka Thera Ven. Ananda Mangala TheraVen. Pra Visalsamangun Ven. Chim BinVen. Tripitakacharya K. Mangala Thera Ven. Sait Paik Wan

General Committee

President

Mr. Teh Thean Choo, a.ira.w.

Vice-PresidentsMr. K. A. Albert Mr. Thor Beng Seng, e.r.r.Mr. Goh Chin Keat Mr. Michael Chua Ngoh Chuan

Hon. Secretary Hon. Treasurer

Mr. Neoh Hoay Pow Mr. A. E. De Alwis

Hon. Asst. Secretary Hon. Asst. Treasurer

Mr. Lim Chin Km Mr. Teoh Eng Lim

Committee Members

Mr. Khoo Teng Hooi Miss A. JinaMr. V. L. S. De Silva Mr. Chew Chee Cheong

Mrs . Ho Ah LokeMr. Ng Ban OnnMr. E. O. B. Wickramanayaka Mr. S. D. JayawardaneMr. M. H. Albert . Mr. Quah Kok SengMr. Tan Huck Boo Mr. Goh Cheng Soon

Hon. AuditorsMr. Boon Kok Ching Mr. D. S. Goonatilake

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STTME BF BUR LIFE MEMBERS

Hon. Mr. Cheah Seng Khim,J.P., M.P.Fenang

Mr. Ong Chin KowI(ota Bharu

Dr. Bak Hin OngMalacca

Dato Eu Eng HockKuala Lumpur

Madam Tan Cheng SimKuala LumPur

Mr. Tan Hoon SiangSingapore

Mr. Choo Boi ThiongKota Bharu

Mrs. Ho Ah LokeKuala Lumpur

NIr. Ong Kean HinTaiPing

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V[SA[ CII,IBRATIOI{ IN MAI.AY$IA

We, in Malaysia, a cosmopolitan countryof diverse races and creeds, are most fortun-ate in having Vesak Day declared a generalpublic holiday try our benign Government.For this we are extremely grateful to ourdemocratic and . open-hearted Leaders ledby our beloved Prime Minister TunkuAbdul Rahman.

The generous gesture on the part of theGovernment has helped termendously inouf efforts to bring Buddhism to ourcountless devotees in this country. In allthe principal towns, Penang, Ipoh, Taiping,Kuala Lumpur, Kota Bharu anci Singapore,this year's Vesak Day was celeibrated ona scale surpassing that of prcvious years.Decorated floats, with the image of LordBuddha, were taken in grand lighted pro-cessions along the main streets of thevarious towns, with Buddhist Priestschanting suttras invoking the blessings ofI.ord Buddha for peace and prosperity forthe pople and the countty.

In Kuala Lumpur, the celebrations werecentred in three principal temples - theBirch Road Kuam Im Temple, the BuddhaJayanti Temple in Circular Road and theBuddhist Ternple in Jalan Berhala, Brick-fields. All day long thousands of devoteesconv-erged on many temples for ofieringof flowers and incense to Lord Buddha-.The highlight of the day was the illumin-ated procession organised by the VesakCelebration Committee in the evening, withthe glittering image of Lord Bu0Ana,wending its way from the Buddha JayantiTemple at Circular Road to the BuddhistTemple at Brickfields followed by thousandsof devotees. Many devoted followers,dressed in pure white, stayed in therespective tempiles the who,le day long, inmeditation and taking the eight precepts.Lectures were delivered in English, Chiniseand SinhaLese. Captive birds were releasedby the devotees,

We are extremely grateful to RadioMalaysia and the Television Departrnent forgiving us full co{/erage on our cele rations.In Radio Malaysia special programrnestouching on the significance of the daywere put on the air on Vesak Day. Revs.Ananda Mangala, Dhammananda, Gunara-tana, Pek Wan and Mr. Teh Thean Choo,Chairnran of the Vesak Celebration Com-mittee, were given Radio and Televisiontime to discourse on the special significanceof Vesak Day.

The poor and the needy were not for-gotten on this auspicious day. Visits weremade by the members o,f the VesakCelebration Committee to the Sungei B,ulohLeper Asylum, the Jubilee Home for dis-tressed women, the Home for the Blind.Childrens' Home anO-itre Orpfra*g" ir ifr.lFure Life Society, to presbnt glfts and"ang-pows", bringing cheer to the inmatesof the various Homes.

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THE MAHA BODHI

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tr)evolees iit processiott, cctrrying the relicsof the BudcNhct under a paraxtl, at the VesakCelebrati<;n, Mangala Viharq, Singapore.

Mangala Vihara with its adjoiningground recently regained, has enabled theSingapore Buddhist Pali Society to cele, rateVesak within the premises for three dayswith pomp and pride. The colourfuliliuminations and the beautiful flags andbuntings gaily decorating the temple andits compound and with a wide spread ofbig crowd have given sp'lendour to thesight. and grandelr to the scene. On thisauspicious occasion a very large numberof people have come to pay homage toLord Euddha - they were then entertainedto vegelarian food and when they ieft thetemple they were each given with holy

13

water, a tie of five coloured thread and apacket of scented flowers as token ofblessings.

At 7.30 p.m. on Vesak eve a specialservice was held with the chanting ofParittas (Suttas of Blessings). -

Tha celebration commenced in theearly morning of 26.5.64 by freeing captivebirds and then followed by morning services.At 11.30 a:m. vegetarian food was servedto Bhikkhus and to lay people whoobserved the Eight Precepts ^ anh to altguests.

At night the highlight o{ the celebrationwas a lion dance which led the candle-light procession followed by a mile longof devotees who walked round the spaciouitemple ground three times covering- a dis-tance of three miles, The Buddha Reilicswere carried on this occasion. The Relicswere placed in three silver caskets andcarried by three devotees which wererooied with a large umbrella speciallvbought from Thailand. Flower giris werekept showering flowers on the way. Leadingthe caskets were devotees carFyins burninEincense, flags, banners, Iighted-ian'dles. O;the third day, distributed gifts in cash andkind to various homes for irippled children,the poor and aged and. also to bther templesto cheer up the occasion.

Ven. M. M. Mahaweera Nayaka Thera,the resident of Mangala Vihara and as anadviser to the Singapore Buddhist paliSociety was rhe brain bb.nind the celebrationand thanks to the untiring efforts of thehard working members of the Society anddevol.ees .who have given full suppoit andco-operation to make the occasion amagnificent ,one and for their pedormanceit was worthy of praise.

VESAT{SINGAPORE - MANGALA

YIHARA

vis-

t4

BUDDHIST ACTIVITIES IN SINGAPORE

The general programme of^.activitiesof Sri Lankaramaya Temple, smgapore'

Sunday Dhamma School for children

9 to 11 a.m.buiiu Adoration Services from 8 p'm'Sp#ut Saturday Services, 8 to l0 p'm'

nLitins of Parittas, Sundays from 8 p'm'vi*dituiions, Tuesdays and Saturdays trom

6 u.m.i.fii"*t on Full and New Moon DaYs

Soecial Ata Sil Day - Sunday' nearest

td tne Full Moon Day is regarded as the-;;* dav tot those who could not avail

iil"-F"ti tiroon Dav owing to office worketc.

fayanti Vihara Building Proiectit

-*ut decided by the Singapore Buddhist

Association, in commernoratton oI -,tneilhh; Jayanti, to erert a BuddhistC"i"i"t Hali cum Temple. The foundationstone of this building was ceremonrouslylaid bv Risht Honourable D' S' Senanayake'

irr" rt''"" piime Minister of Ceylon, on l3{h

October 1951. A good portion of - the

Uuifaing was construcled Uui owing to lack

"i iotiott the continuation of work had

to be ^suspended in 1961.

Owine to the indefatigable efforts ofthe -"mbers of the Association, con-

tt*"iion work of the building was restored

about a month ago with the determtnattonoi

- iompteting the building within four

months.

AppealSo far more than $i00,000 had been

snent on this proiect. and the present phase

;? work of ' the project requires. about

$33,000/-. Other works such as interioriecotutiitg, Buddhist Architectural Paintings

and a Digoba, which of course, will lraveasain to "be done step by step' These

nioiects will proceed according to circum-5tuti..t in the future. Without the whole-

ffi;i.d support o'f the Buddhists living. inMuiuytiu, it'would not be able to completeihis 'masnificent edifice. We, there'fore

"""eat to"all Buddhists to donate generously

ahh fiberatlv towards this worlhy cause'

Please forward your donations, no amount

;;-tdo small, to'the Hon. Treasurer,-Singa'l"i"- g"Jdttitt Association, 30-C, St'

Michael's Road, SingaPote, 12'

A. H. David,Hon. SecretarY.

. VESAK CELEBRATION

The Singapore Regional--Centre of the

World Fello-wship of Buddhists takes a

r"Ji.g p*ii i" the Celebrations of .VesakDav everv Yeaf' A mass meeting is

I#unit"o-'u"d i colo'urful Proc'ession.-of

irii.inui.a noutt depicting the Buddha'Dhamma and Sangha, cornmemorates .thesisnificance of the occasion by wendtng

u1-o"n *itft dienity through the main streets

of Singupote-on- Vesak Night'On Vesak Eve' there was an additional

attraction this year in the Broadcast fro-m

n"Oin"ti"" ot 'the "significance of. Vesak";;;ii

"a "The Transiendental Virtues.of

irt" g;ddhu" the Enlightened one" includinga number of Buddhist Hymns sung by the

students. I also broadcast over Radto

Slnnuoot", both in English and Chine::,, on

ih"";'Fundu*ental Teachings of the ExaltecBuddha" following by Buddhist Hymns oy

students.We also seek this oPPortunitY to

exDress our profound appreciation to RadioSinsanore for also availing us with the

"iiiilin" to broadcast on the Ethicali*.ning. of the Hono'ured of thq Worldon Vesit< Day and again our gratitude tothem for sending their representatives-toitt"

-Vi"totiu Meirorial Hall to afford TV

un-O nuOi" of our mass meeting thereby

neonle who are in possession o[ 'l V sets

i" th"it homes were directly intimated withour Vesak Programme as well as to hear

ttt. different Jpeeches delivered by - -His

Excellencv, the Hon. Mr. Lee Kuan Yew,Frime Vihister of Singapore' including.othergonooteO Guests as

-in^ the personalities of

ifii rn* Consul-General of Thailand" the

Consul of Burma and other Buddhistleaders in SingaPore.

I

With the inspiratio,n of the Buddhabefore us on Vesak Day, a mass meetingof Buddhists and Well-wishers was held atthe Victoria Memorial Hall with Mr. PayongChutikul, the Consul-Genoral for Thailand,presiding the meeting. Adding to the high-lights of the evening, we were honouredwith the kind presence of His Excellency,the Hon. Mr. Ire Kuan Ye.w, PrirneMinister of Singapore, to officiate theopening of our Celebrations. Indeed, thesuccess of the mass celebration was evidentby the audience's enthusiastic response tothe illuminating speeches delivered by ourHonoured Guests and lay-Buddhists apartfrom the inspiring voice of our PrimeMinister.

The day's programme reached theclimax when the Procession, comprising ofbrilliantly lighted and decorated Flbatsorganised by mutual co-operation ofBuddhist temples and organizations respect-ively, was seen moving gracio'usly through-out the main streets immediatelv after themass meeting.

On the 30th and 3lst May, 7964, theCentre, jointly with members of the Singa-pore Buddhist Federation, distributed CashDonations and Liberal Gifts to 33 Institut-ions in Singapore.

15

DISTINGUISHED VISITORS i ]

Dr. Richard A. Gard, M.A.,ph.D.,D.H.L.one of the Vice-Presidents of the WorldFellowship of Buddhists, and a very learnedscholar and author, visited Malaysia. Heis now attached to the Foreign Serviceof the American Embassy in Hongkong.

He visited Kuaia Lumpur, Singapore,Malacca, Ipoh and Penang and met severalBuddhist leaders to discuss wavs and meansof promoting Buddhism and'building thesolidarity of Buddhists in this country.

We are also happy to have privilege. of,welcoming a notable and leading Buddhistin South Vietnam. He is Mr. Mai ThoTruyen, President of the Buddhist Asso-ciation in Saigon and one of the Vice"rPresidents of the Wo'rld Fellowship ofBuddhists. The purpose of his visit is tothank the Buddhist fraternity in rhisaountry for the support and syrnpathyextended to Buddhists in South Vietnam,in their struggle for just and human righrsand freedom of worship during the regirneof Ngo Dinh Diem.

ln Singapore, Kuala Lumpur andPenang, Mr. Mai mer severaf leadineBuddhists. Films, brought by himldepicting the Vesak Festival, Buddhistactivities and religious incidenls includingthe burning of monks, who sacrificed theirlives, in Vietnam, were shown in variousplaces.

Miss Pitt Chin Hui.

Hon. Mr. Tan Siew Sin, r.p., Minister of Finance, addressingthe gathering at Lord Buddha's Temple, Gajah Berang Road,Ma]acca, on the occasion of Vesak. On his left is Ven. Ananda

Mangala Thera.

7t:

i+

WHY MEI}ITATION I$ VENY

MPONTANT(By Yen. K. Dhammanandq)

In place of prayers to God Buddhists It is not very gifficult as people think.Dractise

^ meditation or mental culture to Today we are living in a world wherebevelop their mind for salvation. No one people have to^ work. very hard physicallycan at^tain Nibbana without developing his or mentally. Otherwise there is no placemind through the practice of meditatio,n. for them in the .

modern society. Y"tyAny amourit of m^eritorious deeds alone keen .competition is going on- everywhere.would not lead a person to attain the final One is trying tO beat the other in everysoal without training the mind. Naturally sphere and man has no rest at all. Mindirina ir very wicked-and always persuades is the nucleus of life. If there is no realthe people fo commit evils and encourages pe.ace and rest in the mind the whole lifepeofle [o be the slaves of the senses. One rvill collapse after some time. As long as

i"no knows how to practise meditation will energy and vitality exist men will be ablebe able to control his mind when it is rnis- to carry on their activities but after middleled by the senses. Most of the troubles age they will _be stricken down with certainand ririsunderstandings which we are con- unexpected diseases for which .very, _fewfronting today, are due to untrained mind. would have realised the sesret of .it. MalyttterefSre *'"ditutirt is the remedy for people try to overcome their miseries byphvsical and mental sickness. Today it is pleasing the senses such as drinking,itr.uav accepted by the medical authorities gambling, enjoying the pictures, singing'that mental^ frustration, worries, miseries, dancing, having big parties and going roundanxieties and fear are the causes of many the world, thinking that they are enjoyingdiseases such as cancer, high blood pressure, the real happ'iness of the life. But vrhileheart-attacks, stomach ulcers and gastritis. enjoying their life in that way sometimesMany of these sicknesses can be avoided they create -more.

worries. That is not theif p6ople could spend few minutes a day real way of having-relaxation. - The-moreto

'calin down their senses through the we try to please the senses through thepractice of meditation. Many people do sensual p,leasures the more we will becornenot believe this or are too lazy to practise slaves to them and there will be no endit due to lack of understanding. Sorne of it. The real way of relaxation is clamingpeople say meditation is only wasting of down the senses to control the mind. Ifii-.i. W" must remember every great spir:itual we could control the mind then we willmaster in this world had attained the be able to purify it. Through the purifl-hiehest climax of their life through the cation of mind we can see things as theyprictice of meditation. They are honoured truly are.- When once it-is_ purified it_"williodav bv rnillions of p,eople because they be free from mental hindrances. Whenhave dohe wonderful services to manl<ind there are no hindrances in the mind peoplewith their supreme knowledge which they can do wcnderful things in this-world. Byobtained through the practice of meditation" focusing their mind they could see- many

things which o,thers cannot s€e throughWe have already mentioned that the their naked eyes. Ultimalely thgy will be

Buddha obtained his enlightenrnent through able to find their salvation without anythe development of mind by only practising ciifficulty..meditation and there was no divine powerbahind him. To have a healthy body and To practise this meditation one musthealthy mind and happiness of the life have a lot of patience because ry.any peopleone must learn how to practise meditation. arc very eager to see the immediate results.

16

l7

We must remember that it will take many an object it is very difficult to trap theyears for a person to be qualified as a jumping mind. That object also must bedoctor, lawyer, mathematician, philosopher, a thing which is free irom lust, angor,historian and a scientist. Similarly to be a delusion and other passions. Many ped$legood meditator it will take some time for take the Buddha image as an object andhim to control the wicked mind and to concentrate on it. Some people concentratecalm down the senses. Therefore, one must on breath by counting the inhaling andnot get fed up ve, soon for not being exhaling breath. Whatever may be theable to obtain the good results of his method, if anyone tries to practise thismeditation. Because practising meditation meditation, he is sure to have relaxation inis like swimming in a river against the his mind which will help him a lot to havecurrent. physical and mental happiness and to con-

trol the mind whenever there are anger,First of all, the person must have an over anxieties, worries and finally to attain

object for his meditation; because without the etemal bliss.

Dear Sir, BUDDHTST PEN-PAL COLUMN

I fully endorsed and support Ven. Mahaweera Nayaka Thero's idea of havinga Buddhist Pen-Pal Co umn in the Voice of Buddhism. The idea of having such acolumn in this Magazine is to exchange views and doubts one may have in mind withregards to Buddhism.

I know it is quite a hard task but I am confident that with the invaluableguidance and assistance frorn Ven. K. Dhammananda Thera together with the un-stinted co-operation and whole-hearted support from the Management Committeeof the Buddhist Missionary Society, the Editorial Board of the "Voice of Buddhism"and the brothers and sisters not only financially but materially, I verily believe thatthe hard tasks ahead will be easily overcome and that the "Voice of Buddhism"will flourish with the everlasting Light of the Triple Gem.

Yours in the service

Tan Chin Kiat.Mangala Vahara,38, Jalan Eunos,

Singapore, 14.

Image of Lord Buddha takenCelebration organised by

round the town during the VesakKelantan Buddhist Association.

fl,

18

SE!.ANGOR BUDD!.IIST ASSOCIATION

The above Association, one of the oldest Buddhist Societies in Selangor, has

its Temple Building and Premises at No. 3174, Circular,Road,-Kuala-Lumpur, and

is headJd by Mr. "Yeoh Cheow Chong, Proprietor_of Messrs. I(ean Leong &_9o.,No. 42, Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, with- Mr. Thor Beng Seng, r.:.r. as Hon-orary Secretary.

R.egulai full-moon ser.rices are conducted co-mmencing frorn 7-'00 p.m. Theboys frori the Sungei Besi Boys Home attend the Temple every Sunday evening forreligious instructions.-- " - Under its auspicies, a Youth Circle functions with about 100 members com'prising oflou"g UoVi unO girls above the age of-16 years. .Most of thern are students

InO-6m."'*or["tr.' Their"activities includE Dhamma Classes, Debates, OratorialSessions, Excursions and Indoor games.

The Association ptrans to plrt up a preaching hall i1 th_e near future to cater

for wider activities and'better fabilities for devo'tees and the Youth Section.

TAIPING BI,.!DDHIST ASSOCIATION

OPening of A SundaY School

The N4anaging Committee of the Taiqing llddhist Association.is very.pl.*T{to announce that" classes for the teaching of the Dhamma ( in English ) will be held

everv Sunclav at Bodhi La,nkarama Temple-, Taiping. There will also be a Sinhalese

L^niuun. -"iu5 tot those interested in learning ihe language. The classes will be

.onfril"uO by the learned officiating Bhikkhu, the Ven' Tripitakacarya K. Mangala

Thero, (ts.A) and will commence at 9'00 a.m.-------W", therefore, appeal to all members, parents and frie,nds to avail themselves

of this goidett opporiuniiy and to send their children -and - the young boys and girls

to leari and td-improv6 their knowledge of the.-holy Dhalm.a'The Commitiee wishes to notify-that Gilampasa Buddha Puja ( Evening

Ofierings ): is observed claily at the Ternple. It is expected that devotees bring

a10ng with thern some flowers. K. A. noni"t,

Hon. SecretarY.

Ven. Tripitakacharya K. Mangala

Thero, s.4., resident monk of the Bodhi

Lankarama Ternple, TaiP'ing.

Ven. Mangala Was invited recently frorn

Ceylon by the Taiping Buddhist Association

to rneet the needs of the Buddhist community

of Taiping. He is a learned scholar and well

versed in the various aspects of Buddhisrn'

fr.-q

19

BUDDHISM IN SABAH

By Mr. Gan Cheng Kin, Hon. Representative ol the Buddhist Missionary Society.

Buddhism is comparatively little known in Sabah. There are not very manvBuddhists who know the teachings of the Buddha. Consequently, Buddhist activitieshers are relatively few and they are not as lovely as in Malaya. Very few Buddhistcelebrations are held and even when these are held they are on a vory small scale.

Nevertheless, our fraternal organisation at Jesselton, The Sabah Buddhist Asso-ciation has given meritorious service to the studying and dissemination of the Dhamma.

In a letter to the Hon. representative of the' Buddhist Missionary Society forSabah, the president of the Association has expressed the hope that the former willbe ablg to help the Association in the study of the Dhamma. As the Hon. represen-tative is not an authority on the Dhamma he, in turn, hopes that the Society and ourother fraternal bodies in Malaya and Singapore will kindly contact the Associationin Sabah and give it whatever it may need in the study and propagation of theDhamma.

Despite the set-back due to isolation, absence of regular missionaries andlack of facilities Buddhism is slowly but certainly making headway here. In Sem-porna a few people have become members of the Buddhist Missionary Society sincethey were introduced to the Buddha Dhamma. Two Americans who have studiedthe Buddha Dhamma in America have also becorne Members.

The Buddhist Missionary Society has given us much help and encouragementfor the study and pro'pagation of the Dhamma here. It has send us a lot ofBuddhist literature both in English and Chinese and application forms for member-ship which have been distributed to those who would like to know about Buddhismand also to becorne members of the Society. Some Buddhist literature has beensent to the Sabah Buddhist Association for distribution to its members. Names andaddresses of those who are keen in Buddhism have been sent to the BuddhistMissionary Society for help individuatrly in study of Buddhism. For those who sodesired addresses of our fratemal organisations elsewhere have beren supplied tothem to which they can write to fo'r help in their search for the truth.-- Privatetalk on Buddhism have been held with those who were interestsd in it.

As mentioned earlier the Society has given us much help and we wish toexpress to it our hearty thanks. Our thanks also go to Ven. Pindit P. Perna-ratana Thera of the Mahindarama Temple, Penang who has also send us many booksand pictures and has been helping us in many other ways. We ilso have to thanktho Buddhist Association of Thailand and the world fellowship of Buddhists atBangkok rvhich have despatched to us many books and magazihes.

We hope that a study group can be formed here soon among the smallgroup of Buddhists in order to study the Dhamma.

May all beings be well and happy.

(We appeal to our tsuddhist fraternity to send' any booklets and pamphletsavailable on Buddhism to 9u1 ,Hon. \epresentative in Sabah, Mr. Gan Cheng Kin,P. O. Box 48, Semporna, Sabah) - Ed.

7 -r-i

n

We acknowledge with thanks

l. lAarld Buddhis'm:

2. The Buddhist:

3. Gotden Light:

PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED

the receipt of the following publications : -

International monthly, 91/1, DutugemunuSt., Dehiwala Ceylon.

YMBA., Colombo, Ceylon.

Penang Buddhist Association, Anson Road,Penang.

1

{_i

I

7.

8.

9.

10.

ll.

12.

13.

14.

4. Vafious Buddhist Booklets.

5. Kodo News:

6. Souvenir:

Buddhist Publication Society, Forest Hermit-age, Kandy, Ceylon.

Kyodan Hqs., Yokohama, Japan.

lst. Annivesary Celeibration, BuddhistCouncil Singapore.

Buddhist Associatio,n of Thailand, AdityaRoad, Bangkok, Thailand.

Mahindarama Temple, Kampaf Rd,, Penang

No. 11, Hankow Road, Taipei, Taiwan.

Buddhist Union, 28, Jalan Senyum, S'pore.

Singapore Buddhist Association, St. MichaelRoad, Singapore.

Buddhist Books Distributors, 42, BonhamStrand West, Hongkong.

96, Hoping Street, Taichung, Taiwan.

Singapore Regional Centre o,f W.F.B. 387,Guillemard Road, Singapore.

Por Tay Institute, Bagan Jermal, Penang.

Saranapala Maha Vihara, Walana, Panadura,Ceylon.

Buddhist Union, Singapore.

Buddhist Union, Singapore.

Vesakha Puja:

The Triple Anniversary of Vesak:

West and East:

News Letter :

NEWS LETTER..

Chinese Buddhist Literature :

Bodhedrum:

Various Buddhist Booklets(Chinese and English):

V ariows Chinese BuddhistBooklets

Vesok Sirisara:

Me;sage of Peace, Love & Harmony

The Significance of Vesa:k:

#

15.

16.

17.

OUR PUBLICATIONS

It is a great pleasure for us to inform that so far we have publishedseveral books for distribution. We have already distributed a few thousandbooklets and pamphlets not only in Malaysia but also in sweral other countries.These books are available free of charge to all our mernbers while non-membershave to pay a small token as mentioned below to assist in further publications.

(1) BUDDHISM FOR BEGINNERS

Questions and answers on life of the Buddha( for children )

(2') VANDANAGATHA (Book of Devotion)Daily recital for blessing services withEnglish translation.

(3). NOBLE LTVTNG

How to practise Buddhism, Importance ofReligious instructions, Advice to Parents andChildren, Youth at Cross-Roads, The Searchof Happiness, Why I became a Buddhist?,by the late Mr. Bandaranayake, former PrimeMinister of Ceylon.

(4) DO YOU BELTEVE rN REBIRTH?The origin of life. How to believe in rebirth.Illustration from various countries" What happenswhen a man dies? Can man understan his destinybefore his death? How does rebirth take place?How can we rernernber the past lifE, Can a manbe reborn as an animal?

(5) WHAT DO BUDDHISTS BELIEVE? (in the press)Answers to all questions pertaining to Buddhism.Clariflcation of misunderstandings and misinterpre-tations of Buddhism. How to practise meditationin daily life. Differences between Buddhism andother religions. The real path to salvation andhow to practise Buddhism.

30 cts.

20 cts.

30 cts.

50 cts

$1.00

,,@,,\\w/vH. H.

gy APP0INTMEilT 79

ESTDffireo2

THE SULTANOF

SELANGOR

It.H. THE YANGT HE S U LT AN DI. PERTUAN EESAR

OF OFK E L AN T AN NEGRI SEMBILAN

\:6Eg0,6,

Eoo,

Ek6,

&Eg"

j;Cith the beot coknplirnento

ol

IP,, rHt,, IHIIEINIIDIRV

ROYAL JEWELLERS

KUALA LUMPUR.

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