UTAR Buddhist Society celebrates 10th anniversary

 The Organising Committee of the UTAR Buddhist Society (Kampar Campus)

UTAR Buddhist Society (Kampar Campus) celebrated its 10^th anniversary at Kampar Campus on 10 February 2018.

The celebration was held in a form of a two-day carnival (缘游会) which consisted of spiritual and motivational talks, exhibitions, music sharing sessions and other intriguing activities. Themed ‘Unite’ (团缘), the carnival aimed to enlighten the UTAR community and the general public on the universal values of Buddhist teachings and also to showcase the genesis and milestones of the society since its inception in 2008.

Invited to officiate the carnival was UTAR Vice President for Internationalisation and Academic Development Prof Ir Dr Ewe Hong Tat. Also present were the UTAR Buddhist Society (Kampar Campus) Advisor Lee Chen Kang, Head of Student Affairs Department (Kampar Campus) Chiang Jeng Fong, and Organising Chairperson-cum-UTAR Buddhist Society (Kampar Campus) Chairperson Cheah Lynn. Making the celebration even more heart-warming was the presence of the former society chairpersons and members.

Describing the 10^th anniversary celebration as a beginning of a new page, Cheah expressed her utmost gratitude to each and every individual whose endless support had in the past directly or indirectly propelled UTAR Buddhist Society (Kampar Campus) to where it is today. “The celebration’s theme – ‘Unite’ – reflects our wish to bring all people together to witness the society’s growth in the past decade, which has been instrumental in being a platform which educates the students on Buddhism and its universal teachings,” said Cheah.  

 Cheah thanking everyone for the support

Lee congratulated the Society for commemorating its 10^th anniversary and reminded current members the privileges of joining and organising meaningful spiritual activities as a young adult. “It’s always an advantage to learn Buddhism and be involved in various spiritual activities as a university student because you have the time, energy and maturity. Buddhism is also a humanistic education which explores life’s meaning and purpose, thus teaching one to live his or her life to the fullest,” explained the Faculty of Information and Communication Technology lecturer who also wished for the members to be a role model in their respective expertise in the near future.  

 Lee expressing his delight over the society’s progress

Relating his past experiences in organising Buddhist activities during his tenure as the Chairperson of the Buddhist Association of the University of Malaya, Prof Ewe also shared his observation of fellow association members benefitting from the learning and practice of Buddhist teachings. “With the understanding of the Buddha’s teachings and the nature of things around us, it is easier for us to control our mind regardless of how turbulent a situation can be,” said the author of Universe, Particles and Life (《须弥粒子：科学与佛理交融的缘起世界》) who also reminded the audience on the importance of Virtue and Morality which is also reflected in UTAR’s Pillars of Education.

 Prof Ewe congratulating the society for making into its first decade

The event reached its highlight when Prof Ewe, Lee, Chiang and Cheah were invited on stage to officiate the opening of the carnival and the celebration of the society’s 10^th anniversary. 

 From left: Cheah, Prof Ewe and Lee launching the carnival 

 Cheah presenting tokens of appreciation to Prof Ewe (left) and Lee (right)

The opening ceremony was followed by Prof Ewe’s thought-provoking talk titled “Science and Buddhism” which explains how Science does not contradict with Buddhist teachings and explores how some scientific discoveries are in line with the Buddhist cosmological view of the universe.

Throughout the two days, the carnival also housed three other high-profile speakers such as well-known MyFM Radio DJ Royce Tan, prominent 8TV newscaster Tan Chia Yong, and award-winning Malaysian actress Angelica Lee. All talks shared a common aspect of how the practice of Buddhist teachings such as mindfulness, loving kindness, forgiveness and so on in daily life has elevated one’s heart and soul, thus bringing positive transformation in life.   

 Clockwise from top left: Prof Ewe, Royce Tan, Lee and Chia Yong

Other crowd-pulling activities of the carnival included an exhibition which showcased the origins and developments of Buddhism which later on branched out into the three main schools of traditions, namely Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana; Buddhist music sharing sessions as well as vegetarian food stalls.  

 Buddhist music sharing sessions 

An artwork depicting every first activity organised by UTAR Buddhist Society (Kampar Campus) since its inception

(Photos courtesy of Kuar Photography)