National Wesak Conference 2026

Pek Chee Hen is a respected Buddhist leader and a dedicated servant of the Malaysian Buddhist community. He brings extensive experience in community coordination and Dharma outreach to the conference.

As a committed practitioner, he has long championed the integration of Buddhist values in Malaysian public life and plays an active role in the initiatives of the Malaysian Buddhist Consultative Council.

Chief Abbess Venerable Jue Cheng is an eminent monastic leader of international standing who has devoted her life to the propagation of the Dharma and the nurturing of Buddhist monastics. Under her guidance, her monastery has grown into a significant centre for Buddhist education, social welfare, and international exchange.

Her vision extends beyond the monastery walls: she is a tireless advocate for Buddhist values in social life and has initiated numerous charitable programmes in education, healthcare, and community relief. Her teachings emphasise wisdom, compassion, and the practical application of Dharma in everyday life.

• Ordained into the Buddhist Sangha under a senior preceptor, beginning a lifelong commitment to monastic discipline and Dharma study
• Pursued advanced studies in Pali, Abhidhamma, and Buddhist philosophy at leading monastic institutions in Asia
• Served as a resident teacher at several Buddhist centres across Malaysia, guiding lay practitioners in meditation and Dhamma
• Appointed as a senior Dhamma teacher, conducting retreats and public teachings on insight meditation and Buddhist ethics
• Currently engaged in Buddhist education and community outreach, fostering the growth of the Sangha and supporting the integration of Buddhist values in Malaysian society

Venerable Dhammapāla Mahāthera is a senior monk of the Theravada tradition who has served the Sangha with great dedication for many decades. His scholarly mastery of Pali and the Tipitaka has made him a trusted source of Dhamma guidance for practitioners and monastics alike.

Renowned for his gentle wisdom and deep meditative realisation, Venerable Dhammapāla Mahāthera has been instrumental in establishing and sustaining Buddhist educational programmes across Malaysia. He is widely respected as a teacher, mentor, and spiritual guide.

Emeritus Professor Datuk Dr. Osman Bakar is one of Malaysia's foremost scholars in the philosophy of science and religion. A former Professor of Islamic Thought at the International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilisation (ISTAC) and former Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Malaya, he has devoted his distinguished career to exploring the relationship between religion, science, and civilisation.

His contributions to interfaith dialogue and his engagement with the question of how religious values can inform public life make him a vital voice in Malaysia's national discourse. At this conference, he brings a comparative perspective to the dialogue between Buddhist principles and the MADANI framework.

Most Venerable B. Sri Saranankara Nayaka Maha Thero is one of the most senior and distinguished monks of the Theravada Sangha in Malaysia. As a Nayaka Maha Thero — a title conferred upon those of the highest monastic standing — he has dedicated his life to the Dhamma and the welfare of the Buddhist community.

His decades of service span monastic education, temple administration, social welfare, and the preservation of Theravada Buddhism in the Malaysian context. His presence at national Buddhist gatherings is a mark of his central role in the life of the Sangha.

A widely respected teacher and mentor, Most Venerable Saranankara Nayaka Maha Thero's teachings are characterised by their clarity, compassion, and deep grounding in the Tipitaka.

Dato' Dr Bugs Tan is a distinguished physician and a prominent leader in the Malaysian Buddhist community. Combining his professional commitment to healthcare with a deep engagement in Buddhist practice and community service, he exemplifies the integration of Dharma values in professional life.

He has held key leadership positions in Malaysian Buddhist organisations and is known for his energetic advocacy for Buddhist education, youth engagement, and social welfare. His participation at the National Wesak Conference 2026 reflects his longstanding interest in the dialogue between Buddhist ethics and contemporary Malaysian values.

Dr Eddie Hu is a medical practitioner and committed Buddhist who has integrated the values of compassion and service into both his professional and community life. He is actively involved in Buddhist education and outreach in Malaysia.

His work bridges the worlds of healthcare and Dharma, offering a practitioner's perspective on how Buddhist principles can inform the pursuit of health, wellbeing, and social harmony consistent with the MADANI vision.

Gerald Yong is a dedicated Buddhist practitioner and community leader who has contributed meaningfully to the development of the Malaysian Buddhist ecosystem. His work spans Buddhist education, youth development, and the promotion of the Dharma in the modern social context.

He brings a grounded, practical perspective to the question of how timeless Buddhist teachings can be applied to address the challenges and opportunities of contemporary Malaysian society.

Dr Lee Hoi Leong is a medical professional and committed Buddhist practitioner whose career reflects the harmonious integration of professional excellence and Dharmic values. He is actively engaged in Buddhist community activities and education in Malaysia.

Drawing on his background in healthcare and his deep practice of the Dharma, Dr Lee brings a thoughtful and nuanced perspective to the dialogue between Buddhist principles and Malaysia's national development agenda.

Scott Wong Soo Soon is a dedicated contributor to the Malaysian Buddhist community, involved in organisational work, Dharma education, and the promotion of Buddhist values in society.

His engagement spans multiple aspects of community life, and he brings a commitment to the practical expression of Buddhist principles as a guiding force for national and community development.