Buddhism in Malaysia

Status

According to the Malaysian constitution, the majority ethnic group, the Malays, are legally defined as Muslim. They constitute 60% of the population, with the remainder consisting mostly of Chinese, who are generally Buddhists or Christians, and to the lesser extent Indians, who are generally Hindus. There are also smaller numbers of other indigenous and immigrants; among the latter are Malaysians of Sinhalese, Thai, and Eurasian origin. Nearly all of the Buddhists in Malaysia live in urban areas, since they are mostly engaged in business or employed in various professions.

Recently, a number of Malaysian Buddhist leaders have responded to the decline in religious participation by the children of Buddhist families, have attempted to reformulate their message to address modern life more directly. Groups involved in these education efforts include the Buddhist Missionary Society Malaysia (BMSM), which was founded by late Ven K. Sri Dhammananda. BMSM leaders have argued that, while many educated youths seek an intellectual approach to Buddhism, an equally large number of people prefer to approach the religion through the tradition of ceremony and symbolism. In response to these needs, religious practices are carried out, but in a way that is simple and dignified, removing what can be seen as superstition. Efforts are made to explain why suttas are chanted, lamps lit, flowers offered, and so on.

As a religion without a supreme head to direct its development, Buddhism is practised in various forms, which, although rarely in open conflict, can sometimes lead to confusion among Buddhists. In Malaysia, some ecumenical moves have been made to coordinate the activities of different types of Buddhists. One example is the formation of the Joint Wesak Celebrations Committee of the temples in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor, which coordinates the celebration of Wesak, a holiday commemorating the birth of the Buddha. An initiative has also begun to form a Malaysian Buddhist Council, representing the various sects of Buddhism in the country to extend the work of the development of Buddhism, especially in giving contemporary relevance to the practise of the religion, as well as to promote solidarity among Buddhists in general.

In 2013, a video of a group of Vajrayana Buddhist practitioners from Singapore conducting religious service in a surau had become viral on Facebook. Malaysian police have arrested a resort owner after he allowed 13 Buddhists to use a Muslim prayer room (surau) for their meditation at Kota Tinggi, Johor. The incident has been a frown upon Muslims in Malaysia. It has also become a hot topic in the social media. Following up at 28 August 2013, the controversial prayer room was demolished by the resort management within 21 days from the date of receipt of the notice after much protests by the residents of Kota Tinggi. At the time, Syed Ahmad Salim, the resort owner explained that he had allowed the group of Buddhists to use the surau for a meditation session as he was unaware that it was an offence.

Distribution of Buddhists

According to the 2010 Census, 5,620,483 people or 19.8% of the population identify themselves as Buddhists. Most Chinese Malaysian follow a combination of Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism and Chinese ancestral worship but, when pressed to specify their religion, will identify themselves as Buddhists. As a result, 83.6% of all the Chinese Malaysian self-identifying as Buddhists. Information collected in the census based on respondent's answer and did not refer to any official document.

By gender and ethnic group

By state or federal territory

Current problems

The rights of religious minorities in Malaysia, including but not limited to those of Buddhists, Hindus and Sikhs, are sometimes described as hindered by the existing legal framework.

Islam as the dominant religion

Islam is the official religion of Malaysia. The constitution of Malaysia declares that Islam is the only religion of genuine Malay people. According to the Ketuanan Melayu doctrine, the bumiputera or autochthonous populations are required to be Muslims, thereby coupling Malay ethnic identity with Muslim religious identity. Apostasy from Islam, whether to irreligion or to another religion, is against the law; however, the conversion of others to Islam is permitted. In fact, according to some sources, the government actively promotes the conversion to Islam in the country. The law requires any non-Muslim who marries a Muslim to first convert to Islam, any such marriages contracted in violation of the law are ipso facto void. Should a parent adopt Islam, their children are automatically declared Muslims without the consent of either parent.

Destruction of religious sites

Several Buddhist temples have been demolished by the government under the pretext of having been built on public land. The land in question is then sold to developers for purposes of gentrification. In 2014, some ruins of candi (tomb temple) in Bujang Valley were destroyed by an urban developer, causing an international outcry against attacks on cultural heritage.

Theravada Buddhism

The Theravada Buddhist Council of Malaysia (Malay: Majlis Buddhis Theravada Malaysia; Chinese: 马来西亚南传佛教总会; abbrev: TBCM) is a council or umbrella body consisting of member organizations which represents all Theravada Buddhism traditions in Malaysia. It also accepts organizations that are inclined towards Theravada Buddhism as ordinary and associate members.

Theravāda Buddhism has been present in Malaysia for centuries, primarily among the Thai ethnic communities living near the northern border with Thailand. The Thai bhikkhu sangha formed a vibrant and active group that positively influenced other ethnic groups, particularly the Chinese in the northern regions. However, language and cultural barriers meant that only a small number of Chinese individuals became ordained in the Thai sangha. It wasn’t until the early part of the 21st century that Theravāda Buddhism began to significantly affect the Chinese Malaysian community, driven by a unique mix of factors. The earliest Theravāda organization established in Malaysia was the Sasana Abhiwurdhi Wardhana Society (SAWS), officially registered in the late 1800s. Initially catering to the Sri Lankan immigrant community, the society would later become notably influential around fifty years later. During its early years, the Sri Lankan bhikkhus it welcomed—similar to the many Thai temples present at the time—primarily served members of their own ethnic group. Subsequently, various Theravāda Buddhist organisations have emerged.

On 25 December 2011, representatives from 23 Theravāda Buddhist organisations from 9 Malaysian states met in Kuala Lumpur. The concerns of various organisations were freely discussed and there was unanimous agreement on the need to establish the Theravāda Buddhist Council of Malaysia.

The TBCM is a participating member of the Malaysian Buddhist Consultative Council (MBCC).

Notable people