BMSM

Wesak Message 2023

By Bhante Mahinda, General Advisor of Buddhist Missionary Society Malaysia (BMSM)

SUKHO BUDDHĀNAṂ UPPĀDO

Happy is the birth of all Buddhas!

Wesak is that time of the year when we recall the birth, enlightenment and the great passing away or MAHĀ-PARINIBBĀNA of the Buddha. These three important events are significant to our own lives, as they teach us how to live a peaceful way of life and to realise our full potential.

It is also the time for us to draw inspiration from the life of the Buddha and to aspire to gain our true freedom by walking in the footsteps of the Buddha.

In order to gain true freedom and enlightenment, we need to develop two things: merits and wisdom. The Buddha developed all kinds of merits through the perfection of virtues[1] such as generosity; morality; renunciation; wisdom; effort; patience/endurance; truthfulness; determination; loving-kindness; and equanimity.

It is through these perfections that the Buddha was able to overcome all the obstacles and challenges he encountered. When he was attacked by the wild, intoxicated elephant, Nalagiri, or challenged by demons such as Alavaka and other heretics, the Buddha simply resorted to the act of Truth (SACCA KIRIYA) based on the virtues he had perfected. He never resorted to hatred, revenge or violence.

Besides developing merits through the cultivation of the ten perfections, the Buddha also showed us how to cultivate wisdom through the development and purification of the mind. This is clearly expounded in the Noble Eightfold Path, namely: Right Understanding, Right Thought, Right Speech, Right Bodily Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, and Right Concentration.

These eight path factors can be understood in terms of SīLA – precepts or good conduct, SAMāDHI – concentration, and PAÑÑā – wisdom.

The aim is to purify our body speech and mind from the unskilful tendencies of greed, hatred and delusion.

Through SīLA or the restraint of speech and body actions, the tendencies of greed, hatred and delusion can be prevented from manifesting at the physical and verbal levels, but not at the mental level. Hence the need to develop SAMāDHI or concentration, to cultivate calmness and insight in order to prevent the tendencies of greed, hatred and delusion from manifesting at the mental level.  However, unskilful tendencies can still manifest when one’s mind is out of concentration, or when the path factors of effort, mindfulness and concentration are not in proper focus. Hence the need to develop PAÑÑā, wisdom and insight, through the cultivation of Right Understanding and Right Thought.

The threefold training in SīLA SAMāDHI PAÑÑā, which enables us to overcome greed, hatred and delusion, can be effectively realised through the systematic cultivation of SAMATHA-VIPASSANĀ – calmness and insight meditation.

These practices along with merit-making – such as the offering of lights, offering of alms food to the Sangha and other acts of generosity (DĀNA) – are often promoted during Wesak celebrations. They also include the observance of precepts (SīLA) and the cultivation of Metta and Mindfulness and other qualities that contribute to the development and purification of the mind (BHĀVANĀ).

The true significance of Wesak lies in the universal peace message of the Buddha which shows us how to overcome the tendencies of greed, hatred and delusion – the root causes of all human problems and challenges in the world today.

Since wars and other man-made and natural disasters are beyond our individual control, giving rise to uncertainties in our lives, it is important for us to turn within to control our own minds through the cultivation of SAMATHA-VIPASSANĀ[2], and sow the seed of enlightenment.

I rejoice that this Wesak, BMSM’s Samadhi Vihara together with Yayasan Belia Buddhist Malaysia’s Bodhi Park, are the joint venue for the Selangor State Wesak Celebrations. The many activities that will bring together Buddhist organisations in Selangor to showcase Hati Suci Selangor Maju is indeed laudable.

In togetherness with all devotees, let us extend goodwill to all and pray for peace, harmony and stability in the country, and in the world at large.

May all suffering beings, be free from suffering.

May all those in sorrow, be free from sorrow.

May all those in fear and danger, be free from fear and danger.

May all beings be well and happy.

Happy Wesak to all!

Amendments to BMSM Constitution

Announcement to Members

Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Dhamma,

The Registrar of Societies has on 22 March 2021 approved the amendments to BMSM Constitution passed at the 58th BMSM Central Annual General Meeting (2020) held on 27 Dec 2020.

Please take note of the following changes that will take effect immediately:

Membership

1. Ordinary Membership has been discontinued. All existing Ordinary Members are converted to Life Members automatically without any additional charges. The prefix of membership number is also changed from OM to LM. These changes will be done by the BMSM Secretariat progressively and no action is required from the members.

2. The subscription fee of Life Membership is reduced from RM150.00 to RM50.00.

New Section

3. A new section, i.e. Buddhist Business Network (BBN) Section, has been formed. This will bring the number of Sections in BMSM to 5; namely Ladies Section, Youth Section, Welfare Section, Meditation Section, and the newly addition, Buddhist Business Network (BBN) Section.

New Emblem

4. BMSM’s emblem has a new design as shown below.

With this new improved design, may the wheel of Dhamma turn smoothly and the Dhammaduta activities of BMSM flourish for the welfare and happiness of the many.

Yours in the Dhamma,

Buddhist Missionary Society Malaysia

Liau Kok Meng

Hon General Secretary