The Book Fair, held at Hong Kong’s Convention Centre, concluded this week with a flurry of book reading, buying, and visits by international figures such as Stephen Fry, Frederick Forsyth, Andrew Roberts, and Sir David Tang. The Book Fair was also the first event in which Buddhistdoor launched the publication of “Book B” with its affiliated seminary and temple, Tung Lin Kok Yuen and Wang Fat Ching She respectively. Within its pages were articles that were not standard Buddhist fare, and may well have found a secondary home in the booths for books about culture or Chinese society.
China and Hong Kong-based writer Leung Man Tao played a large part in the concept of “Book B”, which is a Book for Buddhists. But titles can be deceiving. It is actually not open to Buddhists alone. Its fundamental intention is to unite Buddhist studies with contemporary (and hopefully international) culture. Leung pointed out that the word “B” is thoroughly Buddhist, standing for many names and terms associated with Buddhism (Bhavana, Buddhists, Bhagavan, Bodhisattva, Bodhi, et cetera).
Yet at the same time, “B” is not outspokenly religious. Leung maintains that “B” is quite a neutral, even casual logo for anything, let alone a Buddhist title. He rightly points out that we do not need to insist on using a Bodhi leaf or three-petalled lotus, blatantly Buddhist symbols, as our motifs. The design of “B” is quite refreshing because it is able to foster a culture of Buddhism and spirituality rather than a strictly traditional religion complete with all its cultural trappings. Incense and pilgrimages to China's holy mountains are all important, but Leung believes that an international, contemporary culture of Buddhism logically cannot and must not be limited by nation-cultures, languages, or regions.
A progressive commentator on social issues and Chinese society, Leung is a Theravada Buddhist and has been one of the driving forces behind the growing awareness of a “contemporary Buddhism” in Hong Kong (something that is more prevalent in Europe and America). It would seem a fantastic idea to follow up on Mr. Leung’s creativity and foresight for this ancient tradition. “B” is a bold, courageous, and fun step in the right direction for the future Buddhism. Hopefully, as time passes, more of us may feel disposed to identify and be inspired by this contemporary motif.
