回顧與前瞻馬來西亞佛教：第一屆馬來西亞佛教國際研討會論文集=Retrospective and Perspective of Malaysian Buddhism: Proceeding of the 1st International Conference on Malaysian Buddhism
While taking root and propagating, Buddhism in Malaysia also engaged in cultural activities. Hence, Buddhists in Kelantan started the Buddhist Digest in 1972, and published 12 volumes before stopping in 1974 due to changes in persons in charge. 4 years later it was republished, and had since published more than a hundred volumes over a period of more than 30 years. When it was republished, there was only one other Chinese Buddhist magazine in Malaysia – the Everlasting Light, which was brought into Malaysia by Ven. Chok Mor who immigrated from Macao. Hence, Buddhist Digest may be considered the first Chinese Buddhist periodical started by locals, and its also the one with the longest history. Periodicals are different from activities reports or magazines of short essays. The Buddhist Digest, with the objectives of “Collecting Excellent Articles to Build the Great Wall of Protection of the Dhamma”, sets itself to collect good articles on Buddhism from various parts of the world. This is its uniqueness. This incidentally also resolves the difficulty of getting Buddhist articles as often faced by other publishers. However, due to objective element of readership, the periodical had, without compromising on its original objectives, to make adjustment after its republication. He periodical, while collecting excellent articles form various sources, also provided special columns for local writers to express their talents, as a way to increase the popularity of its content. This paper will attempt to discuss the development of the periodical, and to provide a preliminary study on the sources and contents of the articles used.
