(From left) Lee, Sri Dhammaratana, Sri Saranankara, Tan and Kee at the launch of the ‘Glad Awakening’ book series. — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star
EVERY moment in life has a story, and each one can be a learning experience.
This is how the idea to compile a series of real-life stories inspired by dhamma (Buddhist teachings) titled Glad Awakening came about.
“In every moment of joy and every second of frustration, there is dhamma to be realised and dhamma to be told,” said Centre for Research and Dhamma Leadership Enhancement (d’Cradle) founder and director Tan Huat Chye.
The book contains 26 stories, each written by local Buddhist practitioners, telling stories of personal transformation and realisation in easily relatable passages.
Each story opens with an excerpt from the sutta (Buddhist scriptures), followed by the story itself and ends with a personal reflection that summarises key learning and a “call for action.”
“This book is special because it is written by ordinary people with extraordinary stories to share,” said Tan during the launch at the Buddhist Gem Fellowship in Ara Damansara, Petaling Jaya in Selangor.
“The thinking was if the Christians have a book called ‘Daily Bread’ which they read on a daily basis to seek inspiration from Christ and the Bible, how wonderful too if our community had a book that all Buddhists can read regularly to seek inspiration from the dhamma,” he added.
Published by d’Cradle – a non-governmental organisation established to address the sustainable and long-term leadership needs of the Buddhist community, the book is the first volume of a series that will be published twice a year.
Each volume will contain 26 stories that can be read weekly to correspond with half a year or for encouragement and casual reading.
Glad Awakening Book Series project leader Evelyn Kee hoped the stories would gladden the hearts of readers and awaken them to the messages in the stories.
“Every story is a reflection of the writer’s personal experiences and written in an open, sincere and even vulnerable manner.
“There are stories about personal transformation – difficult life episodes, a tragedy or a light-hearted moment.
“Yet each one has a reflection on the dhamma at its core,” said Kee.
“This book series is designed to be interactive so that readers have the chance to reflect on themselves after reading those stories and connect deeper with the dhamma.”
She added that the book could be used to encourage learning in group settings, prompt people to think about their experiences and encourage open sharing.
Also present at the launch were Theravada Buddhist Council of Malaysia president Lee Kok Cheng, Malaysia’s Buddhist chief high priest Datuk K. Sri Dhammaratana, Malaysia’s Judicial Chief High Priest B. Sri Saranankara Nayaka Maha Thero, Sam Poh Thong (Ampang) temple abbess Sing Kan and Subang Jaya Buddhist Association resident monk Bhante Indarathana.
Volume one of the Glad Awakening book series is available for free at most Buddhist organisations for a limited time and will be available in bookstores in the near future.
To get a copy, email info@dcradle.org.my or call 012-287 9317 (Evelyn).
