Book Sharing Seminars Session 19: Guiding Thousands of Households: The History, Development, and Dissemination of the Cempaka Buddhist Lodge in Malaysia
The Institute of International Education hosted a book talk on June 12, 2025 (Thursday) at 7:30pm for the newly published book entitled Guiding Thousands of Households: The History, Development, and Dissemination of the Cempaka Buddhist Lodge in Malaysia, published by New Era University College.
The book was co-edited by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tey Shi Bin, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International and Corporate Development) of New Era University College, and Asst. Prof. Dr. Wong Wai Shee, Head of the Chinese Department. The event, moderated by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tey Shi Bin, attracted around 90 attendees, including faculty members, students, and the public.
Prof. Tey began by introducing the book’s background and core concepts. Subsequently, the contributing authors presented their research findings. Ms. Phang Hui Ting traced the establishment of Cempaka Buddhist Lodge and discussed its mission in Dharma propagation, charity, and cultural initiatives. Mr. Lee Ming Ren examined the syncretism of Buddhism and Chinese folk beliefs, using the Avatamsaka & Emperor Liang’s Repentance Ullambana Ceremony as a case study. Asst. Prof. Dr. Lew Siew Boon analysed the social impact of the organisation’s charitable activities since its founding. In another article, she also made close observation to the contributions of female devotees in religious communities.
Following this, Asst. Prof. Dr. Wong Wai Shee explored the founding of the Malaysian Buddhist Kulapati Association and its role in advancing Buddhist causes. Dr. Wong Siew Jye then compared different management models of Buddhist organisations and their multi-faceted approaches to promoting Buddhism. To conclude, Prof. Tey shared insights from an exclusive interview with Buddhist artisan Mr. Liu Qing-Gao, documenting the artistry and craftsmanship behind Cempaka’s Buddhist statues and the preservation of this traditional skill.The session was informative and engaging, offering participants a valuable platform for learning and discussion. For those interested in purchasing the book, it is available at New Era University College’s Online Cultural and Creative Shop:
https://www.newera.edu.my/onlineshop/shop-category/3/item/5
