Cover
Table of Contents
List of Tables
Abbreviations
List of Chinese Characters
Orthography
1. Introduction
The Origins of Buddhist Revitalization
Colonization and Modern Religion
Buddhist Modernism and Chinese Religions
The Flexible Chinese Attitude towards Religions
Buddhism in the Contestation of Religious Proselytizing in Malaysia
The Transnational Reconnection of Mahayana Buddhism
Fieldwork
Chapter Overviews
2. A Brief History of Buddhist Transnational Connections
Thai Buddhist Temples and Their Influence on Chinese Communities
Sinhalese Temples and Their Influence on Chinese Communities
Early Mahayana Buddhism in Malaya
Kek Lok Si (Temple of Paradise)
The Penang Buddhist Association (PBA)
Pan-Asian Phenomena of Buddhist Modernism
Reformed Buddhism: Thai Lineage
Buddhist Modernism: Sinhalese Lineage
Ren Sheng Fo Jiao (Buddhism for Human Life): Mahayana Lineage
Summary
3. Reforming Chinese Buddhism through the Zheng Xin (Right Faith) Movement
The Discourse of Zheng Xin
Zheng Xin in the Malaysian Chinese Buddhist Context
Defending Zheng Xin Buddhism in Malaysia
Conflict with the Unity Sect (Yi Guan Dao)
Buddhicizing the Hungry Ghost Festival
Formalization of Taking Refuge Ceremony
The Malaysian Buddhist Institute
Malaysian Buddhist Examination Syndicate (MBES)
The Buddhist Youth Movement and Zheng Xin Buddhism
Venerable Sumangalo: The Father of the Malaysian Buddhist Youth Movement
The YBAM and Zheng Xin Buddhism
The YBAM Network’s Promotion of Zheng Xin Buddhism
Summary
4. New Transnational Connections with Taiwan
A Brief History of Tzu Chi in Taiwan
A Brief History of the Buddhist Tzu Chi Merits Society Malaysia
Tzu Chi as a Humanitarian Corporation
Mobilization of Malaysian Chinese Buddhists in Volunteer Work
Charity Projects of Tzu Chi Malaysia
Recycling Project
Mass Participation
Shifting of Buddhist Cosmologies
Reinventing the Tradition of Self-Cultivation Practices
Tzu Chi’s Pragmatism
Laity Oriented
A Brief History of Fo Guang Shan in Taiwan
A Brief History of Fo Guang Shan Malaysia
Fo Guang Shan and the Chinese Mass Media in Malaysia
Fo Guang Shan’s Vision of a Buddhist Popular Culture
Buddhist Education
Table 4.1 Differences between Tzu Chi and Fo Guang Shan
Function and Use of Jing Si Books & Cafe
Summary
Chinese Communities and Buddhism in Malaysia
The Emergence of Second-Generation Religious Leaders: A Case of Venerable Chi Chern
Chi Chern and Yinshun
Chi Chern and Meditation Camps
Chi Chern’s Publications
The Puzhao Buddhist Vihara Controversy
Cultural Reformation in Chinese Communities
Chi Chern’s Vision for the Malaysian Chinese Communities and Buddhism
Political Engagement of the Buddhist Community
The Experience of Fo Guang Shan’s Celebration: Chinese New Year Lantern and Floral Festival
Tzu Chi’s Chinese New Year Relief
The Declining Role of Chinese Associations
Transethnic Solidarities
Exit Option Revisited
Summary
Dreams about My Father
Case 2: A Battle between Traditional Chinese Religion and Buddhism at Kampung Baru Jenjarom
Case 3: The Urban Miracle of the Talking Buddha Statues
Multiple Counterforces to Buddhist Revitalization
Counterforces within Chinese Buddhism
The Relaxation of Political Correctness in Zheng Xin Buddhism
The Politics of Buddhist Unity
Wesak Day Celebrations
Statistical Legitimacy
Table 6.1 The distribution of religion among ethnic Chinese in Peninsular Malaysia, 1970 and 1980 (by percentage)
Table 6.2 The distribution of religion among ethnic Chinese in Malaysia, 1991 and 2000 (by percentage)
Summary
7. Conclusion
Future Research
Appendix 1: Song of Triple Gem
Appendix 2: YBAM’s Affiliate Members
Bibliography
Index