Buddhist Maha Vihara

The Buddhist Maha Vihara was founded by the Sinhalese community based in Kuala Lumpur and the surrounding areas in 1894 to provide a place of worship in their Sri Lankan Theravada tradition.



Most of the Sinhalese were either traders or artisans and skilled workers brought in from Ceylon by the British Administration to develop the colonial Malayan Civil Service.

The Buddhist Maha Vihara was commonly known as the Brickfields Buddhist Temple for many years.

The Buddhist Maha Vihara can attribute much of its physical development to the efforts of the Late Ven. Dr. K. Sri Dhammananda, whose vision was to provide the Malaysian Buddhist community with proper facilities to practice Buddhism.





The Sasana Abhiwurdhi Wardhana Society, manages the administration, facilities and all activities at the Buddhist Maha Vihara. Many religious activities are jointly organised between the Sasana Abhiwurdhi Wardhana Society and Buddhist Missionary Society Malaysia, who also has its headquarters here. All religious activities of the Vihara are currently being conducted under the guidance of : Ven. K. Dhammaratana Thera, and assisted by :

* Ven. K. Vijitha Thera
* Ven. K. Dhammadinna

FULL MOON & NEW MOON DAY SERVICE

The different phases of the moon play an important part in Buddhist religious activities. On these days Buddhists gather at temples to take part in a simple ritual of offering flowers, candles, fruits, joss-sticks and sweets before the image of the Buddha before joining the monks in reciting the verses uttered by the enlightened One in unison.

This is usually followed by a sermon by a monk on some aspect of the sublime teachings.The services can be sponsored by a devotee for RM 10.00 either to invoke blessings on him or her self, the family or departed ones
To sponsor either a Full Moon or New Moon Puja for 2007 please contact the BMV Office at 603-22741141 or send us an email at info@buddhistmahavihara.com.

Wesak Day - the holiest of all Buddhist holy days - marks the birth, enlightenment and final passing away of the Buddha. The Buddha was born as Prince Siddharta Gautama on a full moon day in the month of Wesak (month of May in present day calendar) in 623 BC.

Siddharta began his search for enlightenment at age 29 and after six years realized the eternal truth, thus becoming the Buddha - which means the Awakened One. This auspicious event took place at dawn in the month of Wesak in 588 BC, which was also a full moon day. The Buddha taught the truth for 45 years until his final passing away into Nirvana on a full moon day in 543 BC. Thus, all the three major events in the Buddha's life happened on a full moon day in the month of Wesak. As such Buddhists of both the Theravada and Mahayana tradition throughout the world celebrate this thrice-blessed day.

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