大众学佛研究会－－建新厦迎接新挑战 -- .

一群热心于佛法传播的年轻知识青年，意识到佛法传播呆滞不前，于是发心传播正信佛教为己任。1977年，这群年轻的知识青年与老居士积极展开成立一家佛学研究会的构想，经五年的筹备后，于1983年，租用芽笼3巷的一间简陋的屋宇作为学会活动场所。几个月后，这个年轻的会所却被一场大火烧毁。

在宗教顾问及一群热血的佛友努力下，大众学佛研究会在过去27年来几经波折，一路走来，并不是一帆风顺的。尽管如此，大众学佛研究院不因困难而松懈下来，反而让理事们在佛友及广大会员齐心协力下，面对种种困难，终于在几度艰难的情况下，拥有了自己的新会所。

未来发展与展望

会员队伍壮大后，原有的会所又再次出现不敷应用的状况，于是在2003年以158万元买下隔邻的大众医院，使学会拥有整幢大厦。打通后，因建筑结构问题，不能让学会举行大型活动，因而，学会理事们计划翻新会所。

经认真地考虑后，翻新费用高达180万元至200万元，重建耗资为300万元至380万元，因而绘测师建议把整幢大厦拆除重建，更符合经济效益。为了学会今后的发展，重建会所是迫不及待的事，本届理事经多次的讨论与论证后，决定接受绘测师的建议，在原址建一所多层用途的大厦，负起新世纪的弘法大任与面对时代的挑战。

新会所各层楼之构思，是以佛陀所教导之显密与南北传佛法为根基，进而以方便推行静坐修行，佛理与佛学研究为主导而设计，并兼顾净土禅七共修而汇集之结晶，建筑设计也考虑到妇孺、小孩、乐龄人士之方便，设有电梯与残缺人士厕所。新建会所将会是多层用途建筑物，约六到八楼层。有佛殿、课室、会议室、会宾室、行政室、僧室、静坐室、佛堂、讲堂、停车场、户外活动场地、厨房等。

新会所重建构图己完成，并制成立体模型置于一楼大殿，供会员与各界仁翁善士参阅。新厦预计在2010年年底动工，估计在两年内落成。

为了弘扬佛法的大任，学会再度呼吁各位会员，佛友及仁翁善士，继续慷慨解囊，出钱出力，落实此重建大计，让大家有个更优良及更宽敞的修行场所！

Looking Back, Moving Ahead

The Past & Future Development of People's Buddhism Study Society

Founding Aims & Past Contributions

People's Buddhism Study Society (PBSS) was conceptualized in 1977,and subsequently officially declared opened in 1983. It was established to promote the Buddhist religion and propagate religious ethics by extolling and imparting Buddhist teachings.

PBSS used to reside in a dilapidated building off Geylang Lorong 3 during its infancy. Unfortunately, the premises burnt down in a fire in July 1983. Miraculously, all the Buddhist artifacts and religious items emerged from the fire unscathed but it’s activities were forced to a standstill for almost a year. However, it’s religious consultants remained resolute about their cause and ceaselessly sought means to re-establish the association.

With the help and financial support from some of it’s members, PBSS finally found a new home in Still Road and normalcy resumed. The new compound played host to various Buddhist functions and the association flourished with an influx of new members.

Memorable events PBSS conducted include the large scale Short-Term Novitiate between 1988 & 1990 and an unprecedented Dharma Teaching Assembly in Clementi Stadium shortly after. This was presided over by Ven. Hui Lu from Taiwan and attracted crowds of more than 20,000 every night. Another Dharma Teaching Assembly in Bukit Batok Stadium of similar magnitude took place in 1991 and followed by an equally impressive“Offering to 300 Members of the Sangha”.

PBSS was relocated four times before settling down at No.25 Geylang Lorong 22 when a 3-storey building was purchased in 1992.

It started imparting Tibetan Buddhism in alignment with its mission of promoting holistic Buddhist education in 1994. Another Dharma Teaching Assembly was organized in Hougang stadium that year. In 1995 Jigme Pontso was invited to host the Tibetan Buddhism Dharma Teaching Assembly at Concord Shopping Centre.

In 1996 the first ever Buddhist Symphony Orchestra Musical Concert took place with help from some members of the Arts circle.

In 1997, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2006 PBSS organized Dharma Camps and Cheng Chen Huang, Director & Chief Editor of Torch of Wisdom Buddhist Association, Taiwan, was invited to give a series of Buddhist lectures on “Living and Dying”at the first Dharma Camp in 1997.

Between 2005 and 2009, PBSS organized 5 consecutive Hua Yen Pujas whereby blessings to the living and transferring of merits to the deceased were given in all 3 traditional types of Buddhism practices. The event received nods of approval from the masses.

Future Mission

Having taken a lead role in disseminating the Dharma in its early years, PBSS now seeks to further its mission by establishing a centre for long-term learning of the teachings and practices of all 3 traditions. It plans to reconstruct at its present site a multi-storey building with facilities for meditation, group Dharma practices, teachings and research from all 3 traditions. Reconstruction is scheduled to take place in the third quarter of 2010 and the new building will take more than a year to complete. The project is estimated to cost between $3 million and $3.8 million. PBSS is appealing to all members and well wishers for support.