Happy Wesak
The Chief Sangha Nayaka of Buddhist Maha Vihara, Venerable Datuk Dr K. Sri Dhammaratana Nayaka Maha Thera, The Committee of Management of the Sasana Abhiwurdhi Wardhana Society, BMV resident organisations and BMV Admin Staff would like to wish all devotees, sponsors, donors and well-wishers a happy and peaceful Wesak Day. May you cultivate mindfulness and wisdom to realise the Dhamma.
May the Triple Gem guide and bless you.
Upcoming Events
A. Wesak Programme
Wesak Eve – Saturday, 30th May
1. Lighting of the First Oil Lamp – 30th May
Venerable Datuk Dr K Sri Dhammaratana Maha Nayaka Thera will light the first oil lamp at 7.00pm at the Bodhi tree area to launch the Wesak celebrations at Buddhist Maha Vihara followed by blessings.
Buddha puja and chanting of suttas and blessings will take place at 7.30pm.
2. Blood Donation Drive – 30th and 31st May
A Blood Donation Campaign to replenish the National Blood Bank
30th May from 6.00pm to 10.30pm
31st May from 9.00am to 7.00pm
3. 8 Precepts Programme – 30th and 31st May
A regular programme dedicated to the observance of the Eight Precepts, with meditation, chanting and listening to Dhamma talks to purify and cultivate our minds. The programme will start at 8.00am and end at 6.00pm. Please call BMV office at 03-22741141 to register for the programme.
Wesak Day – Sunday 31st May
- Raising of the Buddhist Flag Ceremony will commence at 6.30am
- The Wesak float and candle light procession will be launched at 6.00pm. The Procession will start at the BMV entrance at 6.30pm to the city centre and back to BMV.
- Blessings throughout the Day at the Shrine Hall and open air blessings at the Bodhi tree area from 8.00am to 10.00pm
- BMV Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Clinic will be open for those seeking treatment. The clinic hours are from 10.00am to 6.00pm at the TCM Room, Wisma Dharma Cakra.
*All programmes are subjected to last minute changes depending on circumstances and weather conditions.
B. FOV Grocery Bag Orang Asli Project Kuala Rompin, Pahang – Sat, 20th JUNE
Past Events from February to April 2026
Dhamma Activities
A. In-Person Dhamma Talks @ 8pm
1. Bhante Balangoda Sugatasiri Thera(Canada)
a) Friday, 6th March – The Power of Buddha
b) Sunday, 8th March – Karma
c) Friday, 13th March – Wisdom
d) Sunday, 15th March – The Real Meaning of Life
2. Bhante Missaka Kamalasiri Thera (USA)
a) Friday, 20th March – The Greatest Among Humans, TATHAGATA
b) Friday, 27th March – How Did the Bodhisattva Siddhartha Discover Mindfulness
c) Sunday, 29th March – From Mental Chaos to Inner Calm
d) Friday, 3rd April – How did the Upasika Kujjutarā Become the Greatest Female Lay Preacher
e) Sunday, 5th April – The Way Mara Thinks and Freedom from his Influence
f) Sunday, 19th April – Bhikkhuni Khema : The Beauty Who Rose to Intellectual Greatness
B. Meditation Retreats – Non-Stay-In Retreats in English
1. Ayya Nanda (Sri Lanka)
Vipassana Meditation Retreat
Sunday, 1st March
8.00am to 5.00pm
Topic – Mindfulness Practice on Impermanence and Non-Self Reflection
2. Ariya B. Baumann (Switzerland)
Metta Meditation Retreat
Friday, 6th March
8.00am to 5.00pm
3. Bhante Gangodawila Chandima Thera (Canada)
Saturday, 21st March
8.00am to 5.00pm
Topic : Wise Attention (Yoniso Manasikara)
B. Meditation Retreats – Non-Stay-In Retreats in Mandarin
1. Sayalay Susila (Malaysia)
Saturday, 28th February
8.00am to 6.00pm
Topic : Be Mindful of Mind and Body in Daily Life
2. Ven Mahayano Maha Thera (Malaysia)
Saturday, 14th March
8.00am to 6.00pm
Topic – The Four Brahmaviharas.
C. BMV Dhamma Dana Series Dialogue Session
17th Dialogue Session
Tuesday, 31st March at 8.00pm
Moderator:- Mr Vijaya Samarawickrama (Malaysia)
Panelist:- Bhante Dr Gangodawila Chandima Thera (Canada)
Topic:- Is Peace an Impossible Dream?
D. Sutta Class with Bhante Gangodawila Chandima Thera (Canada)
Bhante Chandima has conducted 117 continuous classes as at 20th April 2026 since he started in July 2023. Bhante has covered 11 suttas and is now on the 12th Sutta which is the Nibbedhika Pariyāya Sutta (A.N. 6.63)
E. 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.
Other BMV Activities
A. Chinese New Year and Chap Goh Meh – 17th-18th Feb and 3rd March
B. 50 years of Monastic Life – Ven K Vijitha Maha Thero
The Sasana Abhiwurdhi Wardana Society led by the Vice President Bro A. Hemadasa organised an auspicious Bodhi Puja and a grand Maha Sanghika Dana to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Higher Ordination of BMV Resident Monk Venerable K Vijitha Maha Thero. Vijitha Wickrama Surendre aged 14, son of Mr & Mrs Y W Surendre was ordained at the Buddhist Maha Vihara on 4th March 1976 and was given the name Samanera Vijitha. He subsequently left Malaysia for his religious training at Gangaramaya Hunupitiye, Sri Lanka. He returned to BMV to receive his higher ordination on 12th February 1982 under the preceptorship and tutelage of the late Ven Dr K Sri Dhammananda Nayaka Maha Thero. During the span of 50 years, Ven Vijitha served as the Acting Principle of the Sunday Dhamma School (BISDS) and rendered his services at numerous religious activities, partaking in dana offerings, hospital visits and conducting many funeral services. These activities on a daily basis gave devotees spiritual strength and solace. May Ven Vijitha Maha Thera be blessed with long life and good health and May he continue to inspire the younger generation through his compassion and dedicated service.
1. Bodhi Puja – 4th March
2. Maha Sanghika Dana – 7th March
C. SAWS Sinhala Cultural Dance Troupe
1. February
On the 4th of February 2026, the High Commission of Sri Lanka in Malaysia celebrated Sri Lanka’s 78th Independence Day. The SAWS Sinhala Cultural Dance Troupe performed the Traditional Puja Dance, with the second performance titled Sri Lanka Matha. A total of 19 performers represented the dance troupe.
2. March
On the 7th of March 2026, the Buddhist Maha Vihara held an event titled “50 Years of Monastic Life” for their resident monk, Venerable K. Vijitha Thero. The SCDT performed the Welcome Dance. A total of 17 performers were part of the performance.
D. BMV Seniors Club Games Day – 14th March
The second event in 2026 for the Seniors Club was another FUN morning for 20 members. We may not have had a crowd in this event but we sure had plenty of laughter, chatter and great camaraderie. The morning started at 10.00am with a warm-up song and action after which the participants were divided into 4 teams of 5 people each.; team colours Yellow, Green, Orange and Blue. The Games played were Don’t Drop the Balloon, Pen Relay, Don’t Touch the Paper, Grab the Cup and Pass the T-Shirt. The enthusiasm in participating shows that seniors are BOLD, MOBILE, VERSATILE and certainly know how to have FUN!!! The Games ended with tied results of 14 points each between the Orange and Blue team. In the play-off Blue Team emerged the Winner.
Report by Jian Yip – BMV Seniors Club
E. BMV Nepal & India Pilgrimage Tour – 15th March to 26th March (12 Days/11 Nights)
“Walking in the Footsteps of Buddha”
The Buddhist Maha Vihara organised its first Buddhist Pilgrimage for 20206 from 15 – 26 March 2026 to visit key Buddhist sites in Nepal & India and was very well received with over 40 devotees signing up to participate.
The Pilgrimage was led by the Buddhist Maha Vihara’s Hon Secretary Bro Tilak Leslie Jayawardena, who organised many of Buddhist Maha Vihara pilgrimages to India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, China and Japan. The BMV had invited 2 very erudite and dedicated Buddhist monks to lead the pilgrims during the pilgrimage which included meditation sessions, sutta chanting, historical facts and explanations from a Buddhist perspective on the sites visited. The monks invited were Bhante Prof Deegalle Mahinda Thera for the United Kingdom and Bhante Kurunegala Rohonakirthi Thera from Sri Lanka.
The Buddhist Maha Vihara organising team received many good reviews, accolades and appreciation notes from the participants on the venues visited, hotels selected, meals, local transport provided and the spiritual encouragement and guidance provided by the 2 monks.
The next Pilgrimage will be to Sri Lanka in November 2026 to commemorate and participate in the 100 years of Kathina celebrations of a renowned Vihara and the promotion of Mindfulness (Sati) during the pilgrimage. Please look out for the BMV social media channels for this pilgrimage.
Report By Bro Leslie Jayawardena
F. Annual Merit Offering Ceremony – Honouring the Departed (Qing Ming)
1. Special Full Moon Puja – 2nd April
2. Maha Sanghika Dana – 5th April
3. Merit Offering at Sinhala Cemetery – 5th April
G. Sinhala New Year – 14th April
Sinhala New Year (Aluth Avuruddu) dawned bright and early with a slight drizzle but there was much warmth and optimism, gratitude and joy for the many families converging at the Buddhist Maha Vihara to receive blessings for a peaceful and prosperous New Year. Bhante Missaka Kalamasiri Thero (USA) explained the significance of the New Year followed with speeches by the new High Commissioner-designate of Sri Lanka to Malaysia, His Excellency Mr Darshana Perera and Sasana Society Vice President, Bro A Hemadasa. Devotees offered hil dana of kiribath, seeni sambal/katta sambal, curries and many varieties of Avuruddu delicacies.
H. BMV Free Publications – The Digha Nikaya in Tamil
The Digha Nikaya in Tamil 2nd edition and The Footprints in the Dust by Ven S. Dhammika in English was launched recently at the Chennai Anna Centenary Library Adyar, India.
The Deputy High Commissionerp of Sri Lanka to India and the Royal Thai Embassy Consul General participated in the program.
The Tamil edition was sponsored by the Buddhist Maha Vihara Brickfields in Kuala Lumpur. We thank Mr E. Anban for his dedicated Dhammadutta commitment.
I. Wesak Day Celebrations Allocation of Funds by Madani Government – 16th April
The Madani Government has allocated RM2.5 million for the National Wesak Day 2026 celebrations. Of the RM2.5 million allocation, RM2 million will be channelled to grassroots organisations, with each approved Buddhist organisation receiving RM2,000 — targeting up to 1,000 groups nationwide. The remaining RM500,000 will go towards overall coordination and for the Malaysian Buddhist Consultative Council (MBCC) National Wesak Conference to be held on May 23. Transport Minister Anthony Loke and National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang was at the Press Conference held at Wisma Dharma Cakra, Buddhist Maha Vihara on 16th April to hand over the cheques to the respective Buddhist organisations.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke and National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang handing over a mock cheque to the Malaysia Buddhist Consultative Council during a press conference on the National Wesak Conference at BMV
Bro Prematilaka was a highly respected figure within the Malaysian Buddhist circle, having served as President of the Malaysia Buddhist Consultative Council (MBCC) from2023 to 2025.
During his tenure, he played a pivotal role in guiding the Consultative Council’s progress by fostering unity among the various Buddhist denominations together on a single platform to engage with the Government and to resolve arising issues in the Buddhist community.
He was also the Hon. Secretary General of the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST) for eight (8) years and then as the Hon. Treasurer General for several years. This National level inter-religious Council unites the various non-Islamic religious national bodies on a single platform to frequently engage the Federal and State Government on policies and issues affecting non-Muslims in the country while working on inter-religious platforms to organize forums, harmony walks, dialogues and so on. Within the religious oasis of Brickfields , he was instrumental in enhancing cooperation among more than 20 houses of worship across different religions, further strengthening interfaith collaboration within the area.
He was also the serving President of the Sasana Abhiwurdhi Wardana Society of the Buddhist Maha Vihara, Brickfields. His association with this esteemed 130-year-old institution began in his youth and he dedicated decades of service to its growth and development. This society is actively involved in in 130-year-old Buddhist institution in organizing various activities such as Dhamma talks, forums, retreats, Sunday School, youth camps and outings, free publications, exhibitions, and so on. Bro. Prematilaka also contributed significantly to youth and cultural activities. He was also a past Chairman of the Sinhala Cultural Dance Troupe and the Sasana Youth Section and was also involved himself, in dramas and plays as well.
Bro Prematilaka was widely admired for his gentle, sincere and compassionate leadership style. He carried out his responsibilities with humility, patience and a strong sense of duty without seeking recognition. His contribution to Buddhist unity, interfaith harmony, and the organisation of major national events, carried out by the MCCBCHST, MBCC and SAWS are his lasting imprint on our community.
May he have a good afterlife. May his journey in Samsara be short. May he realize Nibbana soonest.
Committee of Management,
Sasana Abhiwudhi Wardhana Society (SAWS)
Buddhist Maha Vihara (BMV)
April 2026
BMV Digest 