Issues of today's Chinese Temple in Malaysia
A MAJOR misconception of what
Buddhism is all about has arisen because the large Chinese population of
Malaysia ticks “Buddhism” in the Agama/Religion column in official
forms. Yet, in most cases, many are ignorant of what Buddhism is really
all about.
~ Article from the STAR
Basically, I feel there are more temples than “true” Buddhists in
Malaysia. By true Buddhists, I mean those who really know the meaning of
the faith and practice living on the Noble Eight Fold Path, regardless of
the sect they are in.
~ Article from the STAR
I have also observed that there is a growing number of aspiring female
nuns. However, the support and facilities for these Meichi in the
Theravadian tradition is sadly lacking.
~Article From The STAR
The quotes stated above fully states the condition of Chinese Temple in Malaysia today. Few Malaysian Buddhist fully understand what Buddhism is although temples in Malaysia is more than adequate.
Besides , temples are under utilize strictly for religious rites only in Malaysia. Educational services are least provided to the community unlike Christianity. The temple is a building that people need to reach to hence, less people make their way to the temple in modern society except during festivals only. Other than festivities, most temple are empty and not fully utilised to the community.
Hence from issues above, there is a need to re-access the role of the temple to serve the modern society better in education as well as a whole. The temple in China and Hong Kong, has a built in community to the temple, where old folks home and orphanage are attached. It is still a very conventional solution to reach out more people other than urban professionals society.
It
can be concluded that, a temple used to be a library in the past. But
today, sadly, the temple has just become a warehouse of books. Without the
user of the temple, where does the temple stands?
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