How did Ti-Ratana begin?
The Buddhist Maha Vihara in Kuala Lumpur was founded in 1895.
In the 1960s, the late Ven Dr. K Sri Dhammananda set foot in Malaysia and set up the Buddhist Missionary Society (of) Malaysia (BMSM). Until his passing away in 2006, he was the Buddhist Chief High Priest of Malaysia. During his tenure in that position, he invited the current Buddhist Chief High Priest of Malaysia, Ven Datuk Kirinde Sri Dhammaratana to the Buddhist Maha Vihara from Sri Lanka in the 1980s.
In 1994, Ven Datuk Kirinde Sri Dhammaratana Nayaka Maha Thera, the current Buddhist Chief High Priest of Malaysia (since 2007) had the initiative to set up Ti-Ratana Welfare Society and Welfare Homes, registered the society the same year and was opened in 1997, which eventually let to setting up an entirely new society, named Ti-Ratana Buddhist Society in 2000, back then headquartered in the middle of Kuala Lumpur City Centre. The society's headquarters moved thrice, to Bangsar (2002), Ampang (2006), and back to Bangsar again (2018), which has remained its headquarters ever since.
Ti-Ratana then opened several branches, in Kepong (currently inactive), Klang, Petaling Jaya, Cheras and Puchong.
In 2018, Ti-Ratana Buddhist Society branched out to a specific Ti-Ratana Buddhist Society Kuala Lumpur & Selangor, leaving the former Ti-Ratana Buddhist Society Malaysia name for future plans to open temples and centres in other states.
History of the Centre
Ti-Ratana Lumbini Garden, a member of the Ti-Ratana Buddhist Society was officially opened on the 24th of February 2008 by the Most Venerable Datuk K Sri Dhammaratana, Buddhist Chief High Priest of Malaysia who is also its Spiritual Advisor with a good intention and a compassionate heart.
Our initial location was a 3 storey, 7,000 sq ft rental from the IOI Properties Group. The ground floor was home to the Main Shrine Hall housing the Buddha Rupa, the communal kitchen and communal dining area.The centre housed 5 Sunday Dhamma School classrooms, a meditation room, a library & multimedia centre.
In late 2010, plans were made to move to a larger location due to the ever-growing size of devotees, where all of the 5 Sunday Dhamma School classrooms were filled up every Sunday. In addition to that, all of the offices were also cramped into one room, making it difficult, considering the fact that it was shared by the Sunday Dhamma School Team, Youth Team, Executive Committee, Sub Committee and Full Time Volunteers. The Main Shrine Hall was less than 500 sq ft, which couldn't accommodate the ever growing size of devotees.
The late Tan Sri Dato' Lee Shin Cheng (1939 - 2019) and the IOI Properties Group then provided us with our current location at an extremely affordable price, and the discount given was considered a meritorious donation by him and his company.
In 2012, we moved to our current location, a few blocks away to accommodate the ever-growing size of devotees. Our current location is a 4 storey building which is almost 15,000 sq ft in size.
On the ground floor, the centre houses a 1,200 sq ft Main Shrine Hall with the Buddha Rupa, Statue of Guan Yin (Avalokiteshvara) Bodhisattva, and a framed image of Amitabha Buddha. The Relics Stupa is also temporarily located in the Main Shrine Hall while the relic room undergoes refurbishment. A Discussion Table is located at one side of the Hall, for Sutta Discussion and small groups of Sunday Dhamma School students. At the back, there is also a kitchen and communal dining hall. A cashless service counter overlooks the main shrine hall, adjacent to a room for counselling or private consultation and advice.
The first floor is home to Ti-Ratana Lumbini Garden Sunday Dhamma School, Yoga Classes, Chinese Calligraphy and Art & the Buddhist Youth Group. The meditation hall is also located here, next to the Sunday Dhamma School Office, Youth Lounge, Multi-Purpose Hall and 4 Sunday Dhamma School Classrooms.
The second floor is divided into four sections: The Monk's Quarters, Administrative Offices, a 800 sq ft Library and an Outreach Centre for disaster victims, children from broken families, etc.
The highest Level is home to another Buddha Shrine Hall, adjacent to the relic room that is currently undergoing refurbishment. There is also an Auditorium that serves as not only an auditorium, but a sports and games room for the Youth.
Outside the temple, there are 6 parking bays having direct access to the temple, which makes our temple accessible to those who are wheelchair bound.
The temple is also literally footsteps away from the Taman Perindustrian Puchong LRT Station (PH16), a 25-minute ride away from Damansara and Bandar Sunway, and even more proportionately close to Subang Jaya. It is just one stop away from the Bandar Puteri residential zone and in the other direction, one stop away from the Town Centre (Tesco Puchong).
FAQs on the centre
Is it only for Buddhists?
While it is often mentioned, due to local legal restrictions, that our religious activities are for those who are non-Muslim, our non-religious activities such as Yoga and Art are open to all. Volunteers do not have to be Buddhist, unless it involves religious rites like carrying the Buddhist flag, Buddha Rupa or Kathina Relics.
Can I host my Buddhist community event (Dhamma Talk, etc.) at Ti-Ratana Lumbini Garden?
Yes, please contact us. If you are based in another country or state, do inform us should you require accommodation. However, it is advisable to have accommodations at a bigger temple or a hotel/homestay/Airbnb/relative's house. We are only able to provide accommodation for 3 people due to local authority regulations.
Can I host my non-religious community event at Ti-Ratana Lumbini Garden?
Yes, please contact us. This will be subject to our terms and conditions that we will provide to you later.
Can I hold weekly/monthly community classes at Ti-Ratana Lumbini Garden?
Yes, please contact us. This will be subject to our terms and conditions that we will provide to you later.
How is the temple related to BMSM, BMV etc?
There is no legal relation, however, our founder and advisor, The Most Ven Datuk K Sri Dhammaratana is the current Buddhist Chief Monk of Malaysia, who is based at BMV. Due to BMV's close relationship with BMSM, and the former late Chief Rev Dr K Sri Dhammananda, we have a close relationship with them.
How is the temple related to Ti-Ratana Welfare Society?
The building is owned by Ti-Ratana Welfare Society, and our outreach centre which aids in disaster relief and children from broken homes regardless of religion is operated in collaboration with them. The whole Ti-Ratana Group is considered one Group, officially but not legally.
How has the temple worked together with Tzu Chi, etc?
Representatives are sent to participate in Tzu Chi's Annual Wesak Celebration, in which we are invited for yearly.
We also place their bamboo coin box, which we send twice a year to their Kepong HQ.