「新加坡佛經流通中心」於一九九九年十一月十七日正式成立，並獲准立案為宗教組織。不過它實際的運作和活動，則早在一九九八年恆實法師光臨後便開始了。當時有人問，新加坡是不是會有一個道場？實法師說只要大家誠心，就會有。就這樣，促使宣公上人經常在一起閱讀研討佛經的弟子，動念成立一個組織。當然還有其他原因，例如：
一份強烈的使命感，要回報師父上人的大慈大悲；需要有一個正法的道場，便於共修和研究佛法；佛書流通的後續，需要與新佛友保持聯繫；法總出版的刊物，需要有圖書館與流通場所，特別是英文書籍不易取得。
本中心主要工作目標，是為居士林、佛教單位與一般民眾，免費提供法總出版的書籍。本中心目前已將刊物贈予大專佛學社、工業學校、寺廟與圖書館等。法總書籍則分別在環島多處素食餐廳，及知名的書店行銷。瞭解上人的意願要把佛法帶到世界每一個角落，本中心同仁相信推動佛法及上人教導的工作，只能報答上人的慈悲於萬一。
目前本中心有成員四十人，由委員會的十三位委員管理。他們認真遵循上人不化緣的宗旨，流通基金都是由委員和佛友樂捐。要實踐中心的運作，所有成員都聽過解說，要嚴守六大條款：不爭、不貪、不求、不自私、不自利、不打妄語。
除星期二外，本中心每天誦持楞嚴咒，每週六禮拜大悲懺，週日恭誦《普賢行願品》，和禮拜華嚴懺。初一、十五上大供，並且在佛菩薩聖誕和上人涅槃週年日都舉辦特別法會。
新加坡佛經流通中心雖然成立未久，但因為過去兩年內流通數千本書，已經為許多佛教機構所認識。除了流通佛書為推動佛法的方式，本中心成員認為講解經典或開示法義，對於教化眾生更為重要，所以希望成為法總的相關成員，以便法總男女法師能駐錫新加坡，來帶領講座、法會與各種法務工作。
過去恆佐、恆興、恆章、恆祥、恆緣、恆良、恆貴、恆生、恆懿、恆谷等法師駕臨本中心的開示，給大眾許多啟示與希望。法師們旅途中法務繁忙，中心人員一致敬重，並且大家心裡都得到鼓舞。本中心在成立之初雖然有些小障礙，但是所有創立的人員，都有決心要見到本中心的成長與茁壯，並且深信必定會做到！《請看封背照片》
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The Buddhist Books Distribution Centre in Singapore was officially established and approved as a religious society on November 17, 1999. Operation of the centre and its activities actually started in November 1998 after the visit of Dharma Master Heng Sure in August 1998. At that time, someone asked whether Singapore would have a Wayplace and Dharma Master Heng Sure replied, yes, if the people were sincere. That prompted a group of the Venerable Master Hua's lay disciples, who at that time had gathered frequently to read and discuss the Sutras, to conceive the idea of forming a society. Of course, there were other reasons for the formation of the society and they included the following:
1. A strong sense of responsibility to repay the Venerable Master's kindness and compassion.
2. A need for a centre for group studies and practicing of the Orthodox Buddhadharma.
3. A need for a point of contact for new Dharma friends acquinted during the book distribution.
4. A need for a distribution centre and library for DRBA's books, especially the English editions, which are not easily obtainable.
The main objective of BBDC is to provide free distribution of DRBA's books to the various tertiary institutions, Buddhist organizations, and the general public. The Centre has, so far, donated books to the Buddhist Societies in universities and polytechnics, as well as some monasteries, temples and libraries. DRBA's books are also being distributed free at various vegetarian food stalls throughout the island and sold at some popular bookstores. Knowing well the Venerable Master's intention to bring Buddhism to every corner of the world, the members believe the propagation of the Buddhadharma and the Master's teachings is just a small part of their basic duty to repay his kindness.
BBDC is currently managed by a 13-member committee and has presently about 40 members. They follow and adhere strictly to the great principle of
the Venerable Master in not soliciting donations. All distribution funds come from voluntary donors, mostly members and closely associated Dharma friends. In carrying out their operation of the centre, all members are briefed and reminded to adhere strictly to the six guiding principles of: no fighting, no greed, no seeking, no selfishness, no pursuing of personal advantages, and no lying.
The Shurangama Mantra is recited daily at the Centre except on Tuesdays. Besides reciting the Mantra, members also do the Great Compassion Repentance ceremony every Saturday, recite the "Conduct and Vows of Universal Worthy" and the Flower Adornment Repentance every Sunday. They also perform Meal Offerings every new and full moon and organize Dharma programs on auspicious days such as the birthdays of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas as well as the Anniversary of Venerable Master Hua's entering Nirvana.
Although BBDC is a young and relatively new society, it is starting to draw attention from various Buddhist organizations and devotees through the thousands of books given out during the last two years. Besides distributing books as a form of propagating the Dharma, members of BBDC believe giving Sutra lectures and instructional Dharma talks is even more important in crossing over living beings. Hence, it is always their wish to be affiliated to DRBA and that monks or nuns can be stationed in Singapore to lead in Dharma lectures, ceremonies and activities.
The past visits to BBDC by Dharma Masters Tso, Sying, Jang, Hsiang, Yuen, Yi, Liang, Gwei, Sheng, and Hu have given the members much inspiration and hope. The consent of these Dharma Masters to visit BBDC despite their busy traveling schedules and commitments has earned the respect and boosted the morale of every member. The founding members have a resolute mission to see to the growth and expansion of the Centre despite some minor obstacles in the initial phase of their operation. They are confident they will make it. (Please see photos on back cover.) |
