Honouring Eminent Asian Buddhist Women in the Modern Era
C. Buddhism Beyong Borders: Engaged Buddhism - Compassion in Action
3. Malaysia – Ven Chang Heng
Orphaned at a young age, Ven Chang Heng came in contact with Buddhism at Sau Seng Lum (SSL) Petaling Jaya. Ordained at
the age of 18 she went to Taiwan to further her studies in Buddhism. In 1978
she became the 3rd abbess of SSL.
Under her able leadership motto “May human beings be free from suffering and
may the world be peaceful.”
SSL diversified from a Buddhist temple to a
compassionate community and extended its services to helping the less
unfortunate in the areas of healthcare, culture and education. Ven Chang Heng set up the Petaling Jaya SSL
Haemodialysis Center (1994) to provide affordable and quality dialysis services
to poor kidney patients of all creeds. Starting with 6 units of dialysis
machines and 4 patients, the centre now has 100 units and over 200 patients.
In 2003, SSL Haemodialysis Center was one of the
first NGOs, to be awarded the ISO 900:2000 Quality Management System and Health
mark Certification. The SSL Haemodialysis Center later became the Dialysis and Stroke
Rehabilitation Centre. In 2004 its health services expanded to a new center at
SSL Puchong.
The
innovative design of the 500 arahant
images in this new center is recorded in the Malaysia Book of Records and has
become a tourist destination. Ven Chang Heng teaches Buddhism as “life
education for the family and community.”
Recognition
In recognition of her selfless and devoted service
to the community and contribution to Buddhism, Ven Chang Heng was honored with the following
awards:
2001 - The 2001 Outstanding Young Malaysian Award
for Humanitarian and Volunteer Service by the International Junior Chamber
Association Malaysia.
2007 - Outstanding Women in Buddhism Awards, United
Nations in Bangkok
2008 - Malaysian Medical Association’s 2008 Healthcare Service
Award for 15 years of selfless and devoted service to the local and international communities.
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