 With the increasing number of Malaysian
Buddhists who are thirsting for the Dhamma, there is an urgent need for suitably trained
monks to guide them. For the past four decades, it has been very difficult to get foreign
monks to serve our needs satisfactorily. The establishment of Sasanarakkha Buddhist
Sanctuary will certainly help to overcome this hurdle by training our local monks
in the ancient Buddhist traditions so that they can competently serve the unique needs of
our modern Malaysian Buddhists. Ven
Dr K Sri Dhammananda Mahathera |
A historic lesson
About 240 years after the Buddha's parinibbana [final
death], emperor Asoka's son, Venerable Mahamahinda arrived in Sri Lanka to establish the
Buddha's teaching. The new Sri Lankan king, Devanampiyatissa, became an extremely devoted
Buddhist. He built the first stupa and monastery and planted a sapling of the original
Mahabodhi tree brought from India by Asoka's ordained daughter, Venerable Sanghamitta.
Many members of the royalty became monks and nuns, and the king generously supported the
Sangha. According to the Vinaya Commentary, thousands of Sri Lankans attained various
stages of enlightenment at that time. Yet, when the King asked, "Is the Sasana
established in Sri Lanka?"
Venerable Mahamahinda answered, "The Sasana is established, but its roots have not yet descended."
"When will its roots descend?"
"When a young man born in Sri Lanka of Sri Lankan parents renounces [the world] in Sri Lanka, studies the Vinaya in Sri Lanka and teaches it in Sri Lanka. Then will the roots of the Sasana descend."
Help vitalise the Sasana
Support the noble mission
of a Malaysian Sangha
Venerable Mahamahinda's exposition of what constitutes a
successfully established Sasana brings home the importance of setting up a centre in
Malaysia for Malaysian monks to study, practise and teach the Vinaya.
The Vinaya Commentary asserts that "the Vinaya is the life of the Sasana: if the Vinaya endures, the Sasana will endure; if the Vinaya disappears, the Sasana will disappear." Indeed only when monks care to study, teach and practise the Vinaya can harmony, unity and moral integrity of the Sangha be maintained. A united and virtuous Sangha will have the capacity to vitalise the Sasana and preserve its purity by the study, practice and realisation of the Dhamma. For this reason, the Elders of Old resounded, "In the future the conscientious will protect [the Sasana]! The conscientious will protect [the Sasana]! The conscientious will protect [the Sasana]!"
In response to the ancient Elders' resounding cry of hope, and heeding Venerable Mahamahinda's prophetic remark, the Taiping Insight Meditation Society (TIMS)* is currently embarking on an ambitious national project to set up Sasanarakkha Buddhist Sanctuary (SBS), a training centre for local Theravada Buddhist monks.
*TIMS (reg. no. 3171/90) was formed in 1989. Together with other members of the Buddhist community, TIMS will undertake to make the vision of SBS an enduring reality.
Curriculum
What will the
monks to be trained at SBS learn?
Although the course of training may not be formally
structured, SBS will emphasise on the following aspects:
| 1 | Practical understanding of the Vinaya, especially the Patimokkha and teachings conducive to communal harmony, unity, progress and happiness |
| 2 | Actual practice of the Vinaya in accordance with the scriptural tradition |
| 3 | Practical understanding of the dhutangas [ascetic practices] |
| 4 | Actual practice of the dhutangas according to individual capability |
| 5 | Practical understanding of the principles of samatha and vipassana meditations |
| 6 | Daily practice of meditation according to individual capability and aptitude |
| 7 | Pali studies in order to understand the Dhammavinaya in its original language |
| 8 | Full-time, personal meditation retreats for monks who have sufficiently mastered the Vinaya and fulfilled other prerequisites for independence. |
| 9 | Courses on the application of contemporary missionary skills in a Malaysia Theravada Buddhist context |
Location and Planning
 Aerial View of the proposed land near Taiping, Perak (cost: RM350,000) |
You will agree that this is a most lofty project. As with
projects of this nature, a sizeable amount of funds is needed. The total capital cost is
estimated to be RM2,000,000. (approx. US$530,000). The Sanctuary will be built on 10.75 acres of undulating, hilly land (surrounded on three sides by State forest reserve and accessible via a cemetery) at the outskirts of Taiping town. |
It will be planned along the lines of a forest monastery—but with a
distinctively Malaysian flair. Monks' kutis will be located in secluded spots around the
monastery. A water sima pavillon and a main building providing central facilities
such as a library, an assembly hall, lecture rooms, storerooms and a kitchen will also be
built. Full-time staff will look to operations and administration. With your generous
support, the seminary will be expected to commence the first in-take of monks in the year
2001.
Help us make this project a reality. Help us vitalise the Sasana. Help us to help you, your children and others.