Albert Lin, The Merit Times staff writer
April 26, 2023

The "Marvelous Malaysia Music Concert Cum Triple Gem Refuge and Five Precepts Ceremony 2023" was held on April 23rd. It opened with the sentences "Never Forget Your Original Aspiration" and "Taking the Buddha's heart as our own, taking the Venerable Master's aspiration as our own" as a dedication to Venerable Master Hsing Yun, the founder of Fo Guang Shan (FGS).

Before the event, Most Venerable Hsin Bau, the abbot of Fo Guang Shan, went to the Waterdrop Teahouse at Fo Guang Shan (Malaysia) in Petaling Jaya on April 21st to have a meal with senior executives of Malaysian media and thank them for their positive and extensive coverage of the passing of Venerable Master Hsing Yun.

Most Venerable Hsin Bau hopes that everyone can develop innate compassion and wisdom, elevate themselves and their lives through participating in the "Marvelous Malaysia" event, and to achieve the spirit of benefiting oneself and others and practicing the Bodhisattva path. "Marvelous Malaysia" event also inherits the wishes and blessings of Venerable Master Hsing Yun, and Most Venerable Hsin Bau blessed all Malaysians with the words "peace and auspiciousness".

Venerable Chueh Cheng, Buddha's Light International Association (BLIA) World Headquarters Vice Secretary General (Southeast Asia), stated that "The Dharma written by Venerable Master Hsing Yun, combined with the preaching of the Buddha, is alive in our hearts, and is more relevant and important than reincarnating. Wherever Venerable Master Hsing Yun goes, we must learn from his spirit and continue to follow him."
Venerable Chueh Cheng gave chanting bead to participants as gifts. photo／Fo Guang Shan (Malaysia)

"Marvelous Malaysia" was suspended for three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and this year it was held in the Shah Alam Stadium, with 12,000 people attending to pay tribute to Venerable Master Hsing Yun. The event also held the "Triple Gem Refuge and Five Precepts Ceremony", with 2,000 people taking refuge in Buddhism. The youth performed and sang 《Buddhism Depends on Me》, showcased the inheritance of Buddhism, and prayed for the country under the leadership of Most Venerable Hsin Bau.
Guests of honor commemorated Venerable Master Hsing Yun. photo／Fo Guang Shan (Malaysia)

This year's event was heartwarming and touching, especially in memory of Venerable Master Hsing Yun, which made everyone feel saddened. The spirit of Venerable Master Hsing Yun lives on and inspires everyone to continue to navigate their lives with the correct faith of Humanistic Buddhism.

The "Triple Gem Refuge and Five Precepts Ceremony" for 1,751 participants was presided over by Most Venerable Hsin Bau, Venerable Hui Si, Fo Guang Shan Head of Cultivation Department, and Venerable Hui Xing of FGS(Malaysia) Ipoh Buddhist Centre, and the atmosphere was solemn and dignified. It is particularly heartening that 182 young people aged between 18 and 25 years old participated the ceremony, indicating that Buddhism in Malaysia has begun to be inherited by young people and will continue to thrive and flourish in the future.
The "Triple Gem Refuge and Five Precepts Ceremony" was presided over by Most Venerable Hsin Bau, Venerable Hui Si and Venerable Hui Xing. photo／Fo Guang Shan (Malaysia)

Most Venerable Hsin Bau encouraged everyone to return to the temple after taking refuge and invite friends to come along. He said, "Venerable Master Hsing Yun often told us that anyone can become a Buddha. He gives us confidence, and we must have confidence in ourselves, giving ourselves the strength to keep progressing on the Bodhisattva path."
Most Venerable Hsin Bau certified those who took the Triple Gem Refuge and Five Precepts. photo／Fo Guang Shan (Malaysia)

The organozer recruited 1,500 primary, secondary, and tertiary school students to perform, showcasing the vitality and positive energy of the youth and singing the song "Harmonize", which the "lyrics written by Venerable Master Hsing Yun. They demonstrated the energy and vitality of Humanistic Buddhism by singing the song. In addition, the show climaxed with the wonderful performances of local Malaysian artists, Fo Guang singers, Dandelion Chorus, and local internet celebrity Phei Yong.
The Dandelion Chorus performed the song "Harmonize". photo／Fo Guang Shan (Malaysia)

At the end of the event, all the youth worked together to assemble a puzzle showing the Dharma image of Venerable Master Hsing Yun, expressing their nostalgia. The Fo Guang members also offered a sentence to Venerable Master Hsing Yun, hoping to jointly inherit Venerable Master Hsing Yun's wish for "Peace and happiness shine over the five continents."
Most Venerable Hsin Bau and Venerable Chueh Cheng led all the participants on stage to light candles and pray. photo／Fo Guang Shan (Malaysia)