Beyond Borders: Indonesian Buddhist Youth Build Bridges Across ASEAN
Malaysia (Bimas Buddha) – Cross-border friendships do not always begin with formal meetings. Sometimes, they grow through simple conversations, shared experiences, and a willingness to understand one another’s cultures and perspectives. This spirit is reflected in the ASEAN+ Buddhist Culture Youth Programme 2026, an international Buddhist youth initiative bringing together young people from Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia.
Held from November 12–15, 2026, in Johor Bahru, Melaka, and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the programme provides a platform for Southeast Asian Buddhist youth to connect, broaden their religious and cultural perspectives, and build networks of friendship across national borders. The programme is organized through a collaboration between Pemuda Therav?da Indonesia (PATRIA), the Young Buddhist Association of Thailand (YBAT), and the Young Buddhist Association of Malaysia (YBAM), with support from the World Fellowship of Buddhist Youth (WFBY).
Indonesia is represented by 11 Buddhist youth participants selected through a national selection process. They come from various Buddhist organizations, communities, temples, and university student associations: Sindra (PATRIA Samarinda Branch), Ailsa (PATRIA East Java Regional Board), Marvel and Kendrick (PATRIA Medan Branch), Sachita (SEKBER PMVBI West Java), Ardhani (Narada Youth Community), Raina (Buddha Metta Arama Temple), Erline (PATRIA North Jakarta Branch), Livia (PATRIA Batam Branch), Srinita (KMB Dhammavadda, BINUS University), and Nadya (Dhamma Metta Temple Youth Community). The Indonesian delegation is also accompanied by three facilitators and two observers from the Directorate General of Buddhist Community Guidance. Their participation goes beyond simply attending an international programme. It is expected to create opportunities for Indonesian Buddhist youth to exchange experiences and ideas while gaining insights into the development and perspectives of young people in other countries.
President of the World Fellowship of Buddhist Youth (WFBY), Nopphakao Chaiyaburin, emphasized that the programme offers valuable opportunities for participants to learn about Buddhist traditions, explore other cultures, and develop their communication skills.
“The world today is changing rapidly. Young people need more than knowledge from groups. We also need leadership, communication skills, teamwork, understand, and respect for different cultures. This program gives you a wonderful opportunity to learn outside the classroom. You will experience Malaysia, Indonesia, And Thai culture. Learn about Buddhist traditions, practice English, join ideas, and make new friends. But most importantly I hope you will learn to understand one another. We may come from different countries. We may speak different languages and have different tradition. But we all share the same hope. To live in peace to have a better future and to make the world better place.” said Nopphakao.
Similarly, President of the Young Buddhist Association of Malaysia (YBAM), Yong Kuci Yong, highlighted that international encounters should go beyond introductions and making new friends. They should also provide opportunities for mutual learning and meaningful collaboration.
“I encourage of my new friends to make use of this opportunity to bring home the experiences and insights you have learned and share them with your local Buddhist organizations and communities. Although we come from different countries and backgrounds, we share a common goal to continue spreading the Buddha teachings, passed down over 2,500 years, so that they may benefit future generations. I believe that the future of Buddhism does not depend only on the legacy of previous generations. It is also our responsibility to carry on this mission. We must continue to strengthen our local Buddhist communities while building strong connections and partnerships across Asia and beyond.” said Yong.
Through this participation, the young delegates are expected not only to gain new knowledge but also to bring home good practices, share their experiences with their respective communities, and develop collaborations that benefit Buddhist organizations and society.
“Finally, I wish these Asian Buddhist Youth to achieve every success. May everyone gain from the experience and bring what they have learned back to their communities, contributing to the development of Buddhism. After all these years, I am also very pleased to see that, even with the challenges of the pandemic, many of our local Buddhist society have continued to work hard and contribute to the local Buddhist community. Your dedication and commitment are truly appreciated. Let me end with a message for everyone. The faith of today's youth will shape the future of Buddhism tomorrow. The future of Buddhism is in our hands and it starts with what we do today.” continued Yong.
During the opening ceremony, each participating country also showcased its unique culture, national identity, songs, and traditions through outstanding group performances. These performances reflected the diversity and richness of each nation's heritage while promoting cultural exchange, unity, and mutual appreciation among the delegations. It was a memorable moment that brought all participants together in a spirit of friendship and togetherness. Amid the diversity of cultures and Buddhist traditions across Southeast Asia, encounters like this demonstrate that differences are not barriers to building meaningful relationships. Instead, diversity offers young people opportunities to develop mutual respect, strengthen understanding, and discover new possibilities for cooperation.
Kontributor: Friska Frilisia
