BUBS got off to a good start this year.  A new committee was elected into place at the AGM in January.  On-going programs were improved and new programs were enthusiastically initiated.  Membership continues to grow, there is increased interest and enthusiasm in the many Dhamma activities.  The society strives to provide members and the public the opportunity to learn and grow in the Buddha Dhamma.  At the same time, it is gratifying to note that more and more members have come forward to volunteer their services in assisting the society to provide these opportunities.

1. Society Matters

1.1 Membership
Membership is presently at 320 members, and continues to increase at a steady rate.  Starting from the 2nd quarter this year, the Society has started the practice of introducing new members to the society by displaying their names on the Notice Board.   It seems that outside the periods where we do house drops of the BUBS brochures, most new members come to know of the society by word of mouth. We thank our members for this valuable public relations service and encourage you to continue your good effort.

Members are reminded to renew their membership subscriptions for Year 2002 at RM30.  Better yet, we would encourage members to apply for life membership at RM300. 

1.2 Maintenance  of the Center
The Center's monthly operational costs consists largely of rental of RM1300 per month and utilities of about RM400. If you wish to contribute towards the operational cost of maintaining the Center, please make your contribution at the Sunday Counter.

1.3 Building Fund
We are receiving donations for the Building Fund in anticipation of constructing our own purpose-built center in Bandar Utama.  The fund received a substantial boost from the Charity Sales during Wesak.  

1.4 Web-site
Our web-page which was on the domain "quantrum" was taken off-line by the IPS in the USA. However after a brief period,  we have found a new home at http://www.parami.org/bubs/.  Parami is a Pali word for perfections. It refers to the 10 virtues  perfected by the bodhisattva before he became the Buddha.

2. Regular Activities update

2.1 Sunday Dhamma School ("SDS")
Mdm Lim Kim See took over the responsibility of the SDS as the principal from 1 January 2002.  We wish to thank Dr Yeap for his efforts in setting up and successfully running the Sunday School for the last two years.

The SDS continues to run in two sessions of one hour each, to cater to the strong demand for children's Dhamma lessons.  Unfortunately, even with these efforts, there is a waiting list of children for the classes.  On the positive side, the Sunday Dhamma school children appear to enjoy themselves and are enthusiastic to attend the classes. 

2.2 Sunday Puja and Dhamma Talks
The Sunday Puja continues to be the focus  of BUBS activities where the members unite in the veneration of the Triple Gem. We start the Sunday Puja with hymns at 9.00 am, followed by the Puja at 9.15 am.  The Dhamma talks presented at the Sunday Puja were delivered by several speakers.  Among them are our spiritual advisor Ven Dr K Sri Dhammananda, Ven Aggacitta and Sayadaw Dhammapiya of Myanmar, who is presently the abbot of Tathagatha Meditation Center in San Jose, California.  A more unusual talk during this period was a Travelogue and slide-show presented by Dr Wade Brakenbury, a chiropractor who has traveled extensively to China, Tibet and Myanmar.

2.3 Dhamma Study Group("DSG")
The Dhamma Study Group, is held from 10.45am and leads participants to study the Dhamma on a systematic and progressive basis.  It is presently about two-thirds through the book "Introductory Course in Buddhism".  The DSG also starts with some hymns and a shorter Puja.

2.4 Meditation
Vipassana sessions are conducted at the Center on Thursday nights. These sessions are conducted by Jong Ah Wah, Leong Kok Wai and Lee Theng San.  Metta meditation sessions are presently conducted on Friday nights by Hor Tuck Loon of Sukhihotu.

2.5 Chanting Classes
Chanting classes are held every Tuesday nights at the Center at 8.30 pm.  The class teaches participants the correct pronunciation of Pali and chanting of devotional stanzas and the more popular suttas.  The class is led by Ven Vijitha from the Brickfields Mahavihara.

2.6 BUBS Youth
The Youth Group, coordinated by Joanne Mah, caters to young adults and  meets regularly at the Center every Sunday at noon.  Presently the Group has just started a program to study the Buddha Dhamma through a series of lessons and discussions called the "Discovering Buddhism Series" led by Ananda Fong, Lee Yu Ban and Tan Buck Soon.

2.7 Libraries
Missed a talk you really wanted to  hear?  Chances are you'll be able to borrow the tape at our tape library.  We also have available for loan, audio CDs of Dhamma talks in Hokkien delivered by Ven Suvanno of Penang.  Contact the Counter on Sunday mornings.

The society has also started a mini-book library called the BUBS Trust Library, housed in a wooden cabinet on the 1st floor. Please avail yourself of this opportunity to deepen your knowledge of the Dhamma.

3. Special Events

3.1 Chinese New Year Blessing, 3 February
A blessing service was conducted by a monk from the Sri Jayanti Vihara, Sentul in conjunction with Chinese New Year. This annual blessing service attracted a large crowd.

3.2 Chap Goh Mei Fellowship pot-luck dinner, 23 February
The evening started with hymn singing followed by a speech by the President of the Society.  After dinner, there was a line dancing performance by the ladies and SDS children led by Pat Boey.  This event was followed by games and a quiz.

3.3 Effective Communication Course for students of Mudita 1 and Teen Quests, 17 March
The one day workshop on Networking skills was conducted by Lim Teik Leong and introduced the older Sunday school children and the teens to communication skills

3.4 Vipassana workshop, 8 April
Sis Gin Geng conducted a eight-week Vipassana workshop from 8 April.  This course, held every Monday night was very popular and was for many, an excellent introduction to the practice of Vipassana meditation.

3.5 Wesak, 26 May
The Wesak 2002 celebrations was a great success. In line with the theme "Precious Human Life", the celebrations started with a Blood Donation Drive at One Utama Shopping Mall on 25 May from 11.00 a.m to 3.00p.m.  More than 100 donors including many walk-ins, participated in this
meritorious event.

On Wesak day (26/5/2002) itself, hundreds of members, devotees and friends came to the Center to attend the Puja and to make merit. The Charity Sales held on that day at the Center was very well received.  Another highlight of the celebrations was a presentation of songs and a short play on the life of the Buddha, presented by our very own "Teen Quest".  On behalf of the members, BUBS also made donations of food and gifts to Ti-Ratana Orphanage,Pertubuhan Kebajikan Sri Jayanti, Taman Megah Center for Handicapped Children and Rumah Hope.

2000 copies of a book entitled "The Four Noble Truths" by Ajahn Sumedho was also printed and distributed free to visitors and other Buddhist centers.