Upcoming Events
1. Full Moon Day Puja – 2nd April at 7.30pm
The full moon evening puja will commence at 7.30pm. It is a Special Puja
specially to honour the departed relatives and loved ones (Qing Ming) with offerings to the Triple Gem followed by sutta chanting and a dhamma talk. Sponsorship of puja trays, flower bouquets and oil lamps will be available.
Please contact the BMV office at 03-22741141 for further details.
2. Annual Merit Offering Ceremony – 5th April
a) 5th April @ 11.30am Maha Sanghika Dana in memory of departed loved ones.
b) 5th April @ 5.00pm at the Sinhala Buddhist Cemetery, Jalan Loke Yew.
3. Sinhala and Tamil New Year – 14th April at 7.30am
Buddha puja and chanting of suttas will be conducted on 14th April at 7.30am by the Maha Sangha to invoke blessings for the Sinhala and Tamil New Year. Offerings of kiribath, seeni sambol, cakes and cookies to the Buddha and Hil dana to the Maha Sangha will be the highlights of the morning.
Sinhala New Year Greetings
The Chief Sangha Nayaka of Buddhist Maha Vihara, Venerable Datuk Dr K. Sri Dhammaratana Nayaka Maha Thera, President Prematilaka K D Serisena, The Committee of Management of the Sasana Abhiwurdhi Wardhana Society, all BMV resident organisations and BMV Admin Staff would like to wish our Sinhala devotees “Subha Aluth Awruddak Wewa” and Tamil devotees “Puthandu Vazthukal”. May the New Year bring you and your family peace, happiness, good health and prosperity.
Past Events from December 2025 to February 2026
Dhamma Activities
A. In-Person Dhamma Talks @ 8pm
1.Bhante Kotawaye Suseela Thera (Canada)
a) Friday, 16th January
Dhamma for Busy Persons
b) Sunday, 18th January
What is actual Detachment?
2. Bhante Dr Soorakulame Pemaratana Nayaka Thera (USA)
a) Friday, 23rd January
Understanding the Meaning Behind Buddhist Rituals
b) Sunday, 25th January
How to Stay Strong When Life Gets Hard
c) Friday, 30th January
How did the Buddha Eat?
d) Friday, 6th February
How our Thoughts Consume Us and How to Stay Free.
e) Sun, 8th February
Caring for Family & Friends without Attachment.
B. Meditation Retreats – Non-Stay-In Retreats in English
1. Bhante Kotawaye Suseela Thera (Canada)
Friday, 9th January, Saturday, 10th January and Sunday, 11th January
8.00am to 6.00pm
Theme – 4 Main Steps to Practice Anāpāsatti
Number of Participants – Averaging 92 per day
2.Bhante Soorakulame Pemaratana Nayaka Thera (USA)
Saturday, 31st January and Sunday, 1st February
7.00am to 7.00pm and 7.00am to 5.30pm respectively
Theme – Joy & Freedom Beyond Entanglements
Number of Participants – Averaging 112 per day
B. Meditation Retreats – Non-Stay-In Retreats in Mandarin
1.Ven Ajahn Kittisobhāno aka Bhante Huat Poh Thera (Malaysia)
Wednesday, 31st December 2025 to Thursday, 1st January 2026
8.30am to 7.00pm
Theme – The Science of Truth
Number of Participants – 100
2. Ven Bhante Katapuñña Thera (USA)
Saturday, 10th January
8.00am to 6.00pm
Theme – Anapanasati for Meditation Practice and Culakammavibhanga Sutta MN135 for the Dhamma Talk
Number of Participants – 73
C. Sutta Class with Bhante Gangodawila Chandima Thera (Canada)
Bhante Chandima has conducted 110 continuous classes as at 23rd February 2026 since he started in July 2023. Bhante has covered 10 suttas and is now on the 11th Sutta which is the Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta (MN10)
D. Meditation Classes with Ayya Nanda
Ayya Nanda of Sri Lanka has been conducting meditation classes since December 2024. The classes are conducted every Sundays at 6.30pm to 8.00pm at the Bhavana Sala, Wisma Dharma Cakra.
E) 47th Novitiate Programme – 20th December to 28th December 2025
The 47th Novitiate Programme took place at the Vihara from 20th Dec to 28th Dec. There were 16 Samanerasa and 19 Upasikas who participated. A big thank you to the facilitators of the programme, donors, volunteers and BMV staff to ensure the success of the programme.
Programme Facilitators
- Bhante Heenbunne Kondanna Maha Thero
- Bhante Pusselle Wineetha Thero
- Bhante Kotawaye Suseela Thero
- Bhante Varanayana Thero
- Bhante Vijithapura Goonarathana Thero
- Bhante Dr Dhammapala Thero
- Ayya Nanda
- Mr Vijaya Samarawickrama
- Mr Ananda Fong
- Datuk Charlie Chia
- Dr Rathnasiri Rathnayaka
- Dr Ashoke Priyadarshana
F) Mindfulness Workshop for Parents and Children – 3rd January
The above workshop for families was conducted by Ayya Nanda (Sri Lanka) from 9.00am to 4.00pm. It was a gentle, joyful session where both adults and children practiced a few mindful activities together.
G) Navam Full Moon Day 8 Precepts Programme – 2nd February
A special 8 Precepts Programme was conducted by Ayya Nanda from Sri Lanka from 8.00am to 5.00pm. The theme of the programme was “Vipassana Meditation Practice on the Practical Application of the Satipatthana Sutta” which was suitable for both beginners and experienced practitioners. There were 64 upasikas and upasakas.
H) Dhamma Dana Series Dialogue Session – 3rd February
The 16th dialogue session was held on Tuesday, 3rd February on the topic of ‘Buddhist Guidelines for Nurturing Healthy Relationships’. The moderator was Bhante Dr Gangodawila Chandima Thero (Canada) and the Panelist was Bhante Dr Soorakulame Pemaratana Nayaka Thero (USA)
Other BMV Activities
A. UN World Meditation Day Seminar – 21st December 2025
This activity is a collaboration between Buddhist Maha Vihara, Centre of Meditation Research of the University of Colombo, Sri Lanka and International Medical University (IMU) to commemorate UN World Meditation Day. The Seminar was held on Sunday, 21st December from 8.30am to 1.30pm. The theme of the Seminar was ‘Meditation as a Pathway to Sustainable Development and One Health’. The speakers were Prof Khoo Suan Phaik from IMU, Dr Moe Thida Kyaw and Dr Sameera A. Gunawardena.
B. BMV Seniors Club Yoga Book Launch – 6th January
BMV Seniors Club Yoga launched its first book titled ‘Guruji Rama Yoga’ written by BMV yoga teacher Mr Ramakrishnan aka Guruji Rama on 6th January at 12 noon at the Asoka Hall. The book covered all the yoga poses and breathing techniques in illustration form taught by Guruji Rama from the time yoga class started at BMV in April 2014. Yoga students of both the Tuesday morning and Thursday evening classes were present to show their support. BMV Hon Secretary Mr Tilak Leslie Jayawardena launched the book with Yoga Coordinator Ms Pamela Jayasinghe. In his address, Mr Leslie said that BMV is committed to serving the seniors of the temple with healthy activities for their benefit. Mr Rama in his speech said that he was very happy with his book which he hoped will benefit the yoga students. The books which were sponsored by BMV were given out to each yogi by Mr Rama. Lunch packets was sponsored by yogi Bro Yip Yong Koon.
Report by Pamela J – BMV Seniors Club Yoga Coordinator
C. BMV Seniors Club Line Dancing – 17th January
The event attracted an overwhelming response. There were 45 members who turned up on the 17th of January. Professional line dance instructor Mrs Grace Williams was able to get everyone moving in the right direction and their body swaying to the rhythm of Proud Mary, Girl in the Mirror and Sway /Stroll Along Cha Cha. Unfortunately, the fun and joy of dancing came to an end at 12 noon, despite the request from many who wanted to extend the time. Anyway this disappointment was “blown away” by the sumptuous spread of “potluck food” contributed by the members. From the many compliments received post event, we can confidently say that a highly satisfied group of Seniors Club members had a joyful Saturday morning in Bhavana Sala, mindfully dancing (thus excercising their mind and body) and mindfully sharing a meal together.
Report by Jian Yip – BMV Seniors Club Coordination
D. Friends of the Vihara (FOV) Chinese New Year Grocery Bag Distribution in Kg Asam Kumbang, Kuala Kubu Baru, Selangor – 31st January
On 31st January, 31 volunteers arrived at 6.45am in Vihara to commence removing the grocery items from FOV store and loading onto the 3 pick-up trucks, 6 SUVs and a 3-ton lorry.
Excellent teamwork by the volunteers & loading was completed within 30 minutes. After a simple breakfast & briefing by bro Ng on the route & assigned roles, the convoy departed from Vihara at 8.00am and arrived at Dewan Serbaguna JKKK Kg Asam Kumbang, Kuala Kubu Baru at 9.20am.
Volunteers began their assigned roles unloading the grocery items, sorting, packing of Chinese New Year cookies/oranges and arranging in neat rows for distribution while registration of the 70 families is on-going. Distribution completed by 11.00am followed by a group photography session together with all the recipients and volunteers. Volunteers also assisted in sending the recipients to their homes.
A BIG THANK YOU to all the volunteers and drivers who sacrificed their weekend to bring joy to the 70 families in Kg Asam Kumbang, Kuala Kubu Baru. Also our sincere appreciation to all sponsors and donors for their generous contributions in supporting and making this distribution a success.
Report by Dinah Lau – FOV
BMV Digest 