Buddhist Maha Vihara, Brickfields
Buddhist Maha Vihara, Brickfields is a Buddhist site founded by the Sinhalese community based in the areas surrounding Kuala Lumpur to provide a place of worship in the Sri Lankan Theravada Buddhist tradition. It is also commonly known as the Brickfields Buddhist Temple. The Buddhist Maha Vihara’s growth and flourish over the past 50 years is attributed to the guidance and efforts of Ven. Dr. K. Sri Dhammananda whose vision is to enable a Malaysian Buddhist community to practice their beliefs in a caring and sufficient environment.
Ven K. Sri Dhammaratana (nephew of Ven. Dr. K. Sri Dhammananda was installed as chief monk of the Maha Vihara in Brickfields on October 8, 2006. He replaced Ven. Dr. K. Sri Dhammananda, who died on August 31, 2006 at the age of 87. On March 12, 2007 Ven K. Sri Dhammaratana was officially appointed as the Chief Sangha Nayaka (Chief High Priest of Malaysia).
The Sasana Abhiwurdhi Wardhana Society is responsible for the administration of the temple and all activities conducted on site. Religious activities here are jointly organized by the Sasana Abhiwurdhi Wardhana Society and the Buddhist Missionary Society Malaysia which has its headquarters here as well.
Ven. Madawela Punnaji is a regular teacher at the Buddhist Maha Vihara after the passing of Ven. Dr. K. Sri Dhammananda. He traveled there to give the eulogy for K. Sri Dhammananda and was such a good a teacher of the Dhamma that he was asked to stay, which he did.