DDM Commence Construction Project of New Dharma Center in Malaysia to Create a Spiritual Oasis in the Heart of the City

On the morning of August 19, Dharma Drum Mountain Buddhist Centre Malaysia held a promotional conference for the construction of a "Spiritual Oasis in the Heart of the City" new Dharma Centre project. This marked the first official announcement of its plans and visions to the general public, while at the same time launching the construction fundraising project. After many years and with the help of senior Buddhist practitioners and Dharma protectors, DDM Buddhist Centre Malaysia was finally able to obtain permission from relevant governmental departments to commence construction of this new Dharma Centre on 1/2 acres of land in the Kwasa Damansara City Centre in Selangor, with full completion scheduled for 2027.


Attending honored guests at the promotional conference included DDM Former Abbot President Ven. Guo Dong, Malaysian Buddhist Association Selangor/Kuala Lumpur Branch President Ven. Ming Ji, Young Buddhist Association of Malaysia (YBAM) President Yong Kuei Yoong, Yayasan Belia Buddhist Malaysia (YBBM) Director Teh Lai Tien, as well as Dharma upholders from the Buddhist circle, the construction team, and leaders and representatives of several Buddhist organizations. All came together to witness the steadfast and sustained developmental progress of DDM's propagation of Buddhism in Malaysia. At the promotional conference, after the collective unveiling of the New Dharma Center's architectural model by several of the honored guests, the fundraising project "Thousand Wishes" was officially launched.

The site of the new Dharma Centre is a mere 300m from the MRT station, earmarked for the development of a peaceful sanctuary to the people living and working in the center of this bustling city--- a personal "Spiritual Oasis" amidst the clamor of metropolitan life. The main theme of the construction project of the new Dharma center is based on "Chan teachings to purify the body and mind, thereby building a Pure Land on earth". Through Chinese Chan teachings and the popularization of Buddhist education, DDM aspires for everyone to face the realities of life and resolve situations with a healthy mentality. At the same time, DDM wishes us to be able to unearth the precious trove hidden within ourselves, thereby experiencing the realization of the fact that the Pure Land exists where we are.

The new Dharma Centre is designed as a five-storey building with a basement level. The primary level will be the Chan Hall, which will be used to organize Chan practice events, large scale courses, life camps and international Buddhism symposiums etc. In addition, the Centre will also house large multi-purpose classrooms for the sake of holding Dharma courses and activities of varying levels tailored for different proficiency groups, as well as living quarters for the benefit of practitioners requiring a longer period of time in their practice activities. The new Centre will also make available its event venues and resources to institutions of higher education or other orthodox Buddhism groups to host their activities and events, as a gesture of gratitude to the many different groups and organizations that have so selflessly assisted and generously supported DDM Buddhist Centre Malaysia.


Text: 羅志豪
Photos: 楊培福、李振祥、郭華慧 
Translation: Cheng-yu Chang (張振郁)
Editing: Keith Brown, YKL