This paper investigates the history of Fo Guang Shan’s Dharma propagation efforts in Malaysia. Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s publication in 1955, The Biography of Sakyamuni Buddha, was well-received in Malaysia, which opened a window of opportunity for Fo Guang Shan to propagate in Malaysia. Thereafter, Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) of Malaysia was established with 28 sub-chapters. Furthermore, 25 branch temples have been set up across Malaysia, eclipsing other Buddhist groups in Taiwan that also propagates overseas. These endeavors are aligned with Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s vision of “May the Buddha’s light shine universally on the three thousand realms; Let the Dharma stream flow across all five continents.” This paper examines Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s propagation efforts in Malaysia, BLIA Malaysia and the branch temples, as well as promoted events. In particular, the Fo Guang Shan Dong Zen Temple is worth mentioning as it has Dong Zen Buddhist College as a place of importance for humanities. According to this research, Fo Guang Shan’s propagation efforts in Malaysia can generally be divided into four main categories: culture, education, cultivation gatherings, and charity. These activities have attracted the participation of over a million people annually, contributing significantly to Fo Guang Shan’s global Dharma propagation efforts. Although such an endeavor can be viewed as part of Fo Guang Shan’s overseas propagation, it is also a success for Fo Guang Shan in Taiwan in terms of acculturating into another country. Given that Malaysia is a multicultural country with different ethnicities and religions, this has brought about a more localized approach for Fo Guang Shan to propagate in Malaysia.
