Telum Talks To... Raymond Lam, Senior Writer, Buddhistdoor Global
Interview

Telum Talks To... Raymond Lam, Senior Writer, Buddhistdoor Global

Can you tell us more about Buddhistdoor Global?
Buddhistdoor Global, or BDG, is an international Buddhist journal offering news, insights, and commentary on Buddhist practice, thought, history, and culture. Founded in 1995, we are based in Hong Kong and strive to promote an egalitarian, progressive vision of Buddhadharma that embraces all Buddhist traditions. Our website interviews Buddhist figures like spiritual leaders, writers, scholars, and artists, and has a large team of contributors and columnists.

How did you get into journalism? What led you to your current role at Buddhistdoor Global?
Ever since I was young, I knew that my career would have something to do with religion. I also wanted to write. Matters of faith have been my passion since high school. However, my interest in wordsmithing started long before then. I have always enjoyed writing throughout my school years both academically and recreationally. I have wanted to, quite naturally, enter a career that involves writing. Even though I was born an agnostic, by 2008 I had converted to Buddhism after a long personal search. 

I got involved with BDG by chance. I completed my BA in religion and philosophy at The University of Queensland. In 2009, I applied to study Buddhist Studies at the School of Oriental and African Studies in London. I had to wait for several months in Hong Kong as the academic year of 2010 did not start until October. Between the end of 2009 and October 2010, I decided to explore some part-time work and ended up becoming a freelance writer for BDG, which I stumbled across after a quick search of Buddhist websites I could contribute articles to. In 2012, I completed my studies in London while working part-time for the website, eventually realising that I was no longer keen to follow my original plan of doing a PhD in the UK. I decided to come back to Hong Kong to work full-time for BDG, and have been serving this publication, its founder and directors, and the Buddhist community ever since. 

How is your team structured?
BDG is one of three editorial departments at the non-profit organisation of Buddhistdoor Limited, alongside Buddhistdoor Chinese and Buddhistdoor en Español. Each website does what they say on the tin: unique content (independent of each other, with separate editorial team members) about Buddhism in Chinese, English, and Spanish. Within BDG, I share my work with two full-time colleagues, part-time correspondents around the world, and a large team of contributors and columnists who we value and strive to retain long-term. Each of our colleagues brings something unique to the table, be it editing skills or knowledge of Buddhism, allowing each of us to thrive professionally and equally in a collaborative environment.  

Do you engage much with PRs or media professionals beyond the Buddhistdoor Global network? If so, what are your top tips for them when working with yourself and other journalists?
I work regularly with media professionals, some of whom might not specialise in religion. I am always open to opportunities to collaborate with journalists of any kind for meaningful projects that have to do with religion, spirituality, culture, or art. I also have contact with PR agents that send me requests for book reviews or reviews of other media or artists/authors they represent, and events like gallery or museum exhibits, conferences, and so on. It is always my pleasure to consider every opportunity carefully, and I am very fortunate to have had almost no negative experiences, whether accepting or rejecting someone.  

My singular tip for PR professionals, when approaching journalists, is to do some basic research on their beat or area of speciality. While I might be old-fashioned since many reporters and editors have to multitask and cover a range of topics these days, my focus is currently on faith matters. I have ignored a multitude of PR contacts inviting me to events and coverage about items irrelevant to my interests. Journalists can tell if a PR has taken their time to see what they have published, rather than sending out mass emails that often end up being filtered as Spam anyway. A mutually beneficial and collaborative relationship surely begins with both parties understanding the other.   

If you could interview anyone in the world, who would the person be and why?
I would very much like to interview Pope Francis. While I cover mainly Buddhism, I am very interested in Christian issues and have casually followed Catholic affairs for years. Pope Francis is commonly thought to have cultivated a very digestible and favourable media image, but every Pope has extensive knowledge of theology and the life of the Catholic Church. I would like to pick his brain on his specific theology, his perspective on interfaith relations and Buddhist-Christian relations, and the role of religion in contemporary secular life.  

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