The Bintulu Buddhist Association was founded on 30th Dec 1990 by the enthusiasm and initiative of Bro Wong Wei Song. When Bro Wong came to Bintulu from Bintangor, he found out the locals were having misconceptions about Buddhism and holding superstitious beliefs. This situation triggered the intention of Bro Wong to establish a Buddhist society to promote the teaching of Buddha. Initially, Bro Wong held small gatherings at home with locals to discuss Buddhism before the establishment of the Buddhist Society. Followed by the formation of a committee, the plan to set up Bintulu Buddhist Association was formally put into action.
On 15th March 1991, from the small “Buddhist Rendezvous”, the location was moved to a new rented house where the ambience was more conducive for Buddhist discussion and practice. The Local Council of Bintulu officially issued a permit to the Bintulu Buddhist Association on 16th August 1993, which was a significant milestone for the Buddhist Society to propagate the Dharma. The Buddhist Society moved to the current address in 1999.
Bintulu Buddhist Association played an instrumental role in introducing the Buddhadharma to the younger generation in the community. At the initial stage, the Youth Division was only a small division under the Society with a team leader and an assistant to carry out tasks. There was significant improvement in the Youth Division when we stepped into the 21st century.
Currently activities of Bintulu Buddhist Association include the regular Dharma class, group activities and sharing of Buddhist-themed songs. We are now focusing on leadership training in the Youth Division particularly in organizational management, religious sentiment and virtues. Trained and qualified individuals become tutors of Children Dharma Class and help out in outdoor activities of National Service Program.
As time changes, the Bintulu Buddhist Association is facing a common problem shared by many other Buddhist societies, the annual outflow of young members, ranging from 10 to 30 persons. In 2009, some young members came back and volunteered as committee members in Youth Division to arrange some class schedule or organize some extra curriculum activities. In 2011, there are only seven members left in the Youth Division, the class continues nevertheless.
The coming plan of the Buddhist Society is to revive the Buddhist Society in SMK Bintulu and the society will be renamed as SMK Bintulu Young Buddhist Fellowship. We hope the plan will materialize in 2012. The current leader for the proposed project is Toh Kok Ann, Wee Kim Soon, Sim Wan Leng, Kho Zhen Ling, Teo Soon Huat, Moi Siew Lah, Lee Mo Zhuang, Fong Zhi Zhong, Gee Wei Kang.
Since inception, all activities are oriented on religious practice e.g. chanting, followed by Children Dharma Class and the formation of Youth Division. The activities got more vibrant and lively as younger generation joined in.
Since 2001, almost half of the entire programs was organised by members from the Youth Division. In 2007, the Society started to integrate into IT world by setting up blog, Youth Division Email Network, Buddhist Society Email Network, Facebook. There is a plan to set up a “holy sanctuary” email in the next five years.
Contact：
Address：Lot1016, Blk 31, Kemena Commercial Centre, Jalan Tg Batu, 97000 Bintulu.
Tel/Fax：086-337233
Official Blog：www.lumbinigarden.blogspot.com
Official Facebook Page：Bintulu Buddhist Association
Official Website：www.bbamonastry09@live.com
Album
Outlook of Bintulu Buddhist Association
The main hall of Bintulu Buddhist Association and members