Nirvana Group calls for thousands of people to participate in campaign to oppose terrorism and reject Islamic State

China Press, 15 Aug 2016

(Semenyih 14 Aug) Nirvana Group is conducting a three-day prayer session. The founder of the group Tan Sri David Kong takes the opportunity calling those who attend the prayer session to participate in the million signature campaign to “reject theocratic state, oppose terrorism” launched in conjunction with the prayer session to oppose the formation of any form of theocratic state and support the government’s move to combat terrorism.

“Recently terrorism has infringed social harmony and the pursuit of theocratic state with extreme behaviour has violated humanities. This has also violated system established under the Federal Constitution.”

Kong, when speaking at the prayer session today, said no country can implement two different legal systems at the same time. Implementing hudud law would infringe democracy enshrined in the Federal Constitution. All should defend the system established under Federal Constitution.

Police praised for combating terrorism

He points out that Malaysia used to adopt the ruling ideologies of moderation, accommodation and acceptance of multi-racial. Malaysia does not agree with theocracy or extreme racism to rule the country.

“By implementing the spirit of democracy and discarding religious extremism that society would be progressing with harmony. People should not only remain clear but also actively oppose religious extremism and theocracy to defend civil law system and Federal Constitution.”

He commended the police in the latter’s effort to combat terrorism including several impromptu raids conducted in the past few week, detained 14 alleged suspects participating in Islamic State (IS). The effort of police bringing culprits to book can be witnessed by all.

‘We believe in corporate social responsibilities to contribute back to society. With this prayer session of “fulfilling dream of study” plan and Nirvana’s donation to reward the society, we lead more people to engage in charity.”

Kong also expresses gratitude to Rev Hui Wen from Taiwan, who has conducted prayer session last year which received overwhelming response. This year, the reverend is present to conduct the prayer session for all to understand the meaning of praying for the deceased by not only helping those who have passed away to rest in peace but the prayer session also helps those living to gain good deeds.

Those who attended the event included Nirvana Group chief operating officer Datuk Yeu Jia Chang, Nirvana group executive director Kuang Yao Feng, Kuang Yao Nian and business development director Datuk Zheng Bo Jian.

Reverend: prayer session good for both worlds for the dead and the living

Rev Hui Wen points out that the prayer session stresses win-win for the dead and the living. The deceased would rest in peace while the sessions offer solace to the living. This encourages more people to participate in such prayer session.

“We need to let the younger generation to learn slowly. The rituals and chanting in the session are gearing towards helping the younger generation to accept by offering a unique session with explanation. Many temples and funeral service operators are lacking on this.”

Rev Hui Wen is of the view that the rituals, procedures and chanting sessions should be in line with the demand of people of modern age. The ideology is to have all family members to participate in the prayer session instead of just placing joss sticks on the memorial tablet of the decease.

At the press conference, he said many disciples do not understand the meaning of prayer session in the past. He has also observed that family members in the past would only remain at the memorial tablet of the deceased but now many are joining prayer session and listen to dhamma talk.

“At the end of the prayer session many disciples come forward to enquire about the issues they face in life. In fact we are not conducting the session for the decease but more for those who are living. We hope to resolve their problems. This is the value and significance of prayer session.”

Kong reveals that many family members give positive response to a new face lift of prayer session and said they would continue to join in future. Some have even signed up for three years continuously. Response is overwhelming.

Accommodation with clarity on right and wrong

Reverend Hui Wen is frank to say that Buddhism accommodates all religions. Anyone wishes to get in touch with Buddhism faces no restraint. No matter how accommodating Buddhism is, it still requires to be clear about right and wrong especially on the infringement of theocracy.

“We support the right things and rectify the wrong ones. Apart from accommodation, Buddhism does not deviate from the concept of right and wrong. They are to be differentiated.”

Reverend Hui Wen said this when asked about his views on theocracy during the press conference. He said all religions guide people to a proper path. When someone uses religion to fulfil his self-interests, he has deviated from the teaching of religion.

Kong is of the view that all religions are good whether they are Islam, Christian, Buddhism or any other religions. Some people change their mentality to be extremists.

Reverend Hui Wen also cites examples of many participants taking the initiative to understand Buddhism after joining the prayer session. Even Catholic disciples also express happiness after joining the prayer session.

Kong said the three-day prayer session has attracted more than 10,000 people to participate. He urges all family members attending the session to support the signature campaign. People on the ground are worried and fearful of implementation of hudud law which bring severe repercussions. He also hopes more people voice up during the occasion to support the campaign.

14 university students make paper homes for the deceased

In its “fulfilling dreams of study” plan launched for the first time in conjunction with the prayer session this year, Nirvana invited 14 local university students from building faculty to make paper homes for the deceased. The university students were stunned by the opportunity and said they learned from this unique experience.

The plan involves 14 university students who are in the second year of study in building. One of the representatives Fang Yi Hui said when they were invited by Nirvana Group for the project, they were in shock but pleased. They have never thought of being offered such a huge project.

He said the students are also keen about the project which to them, is unprecedented. They take this opportunity to learn various unique experiences.

Asked about the greatest challenge of the project, Fang said the difficult part of making 82 paper homes lies with handling course work, completing assignment and sitting for examinations. After conceptualise the design, they only start making the paper homes in July.

“The greatest reward is that we get to learn a unique social experience outside the classroom. On this we also seek advice from our seniors when purchasing materials. Nirvana Group also allows us to refer to the design of paper homes in the past. The group also offers us guidance.”

He is frank that the effect of paper homes is better than their imagination. He thanked Nirvana Group for paying RM60,000 to supplement their tuition fees and the costs of making the paper homes. Students participating in making paper homes get to reduce the financial burden of their families.