In 1961, Venerable K. Sri Dhammananda, the abbot of the Brickfields Buddhist Maha Vihara, saw the need to establish a society to bring forth the message of the Buddha to the masses. He then gathered a group of Buddhists for this purpose. Consequently, the Buddhist Missionary Society was registered on April 3, 1962. In 1996, following an amendment to its Constitution, its name was changed to “Buddhist Missionary Society Malaysia” (BMSM), allowing it to establish Branches, thus making it a national Buddhist organization. Currently, it has established branches in Kajang and Kota Kemuning, Shah Alam. It also has a meditation and retreat centre known as “Dhammavijaya” in Dengkil, Selangor.
To date BMSM has more than 10,000 members throughout the country compared to 27 members when it first started.
The moving force behind BMSM is its founder and spiritual director, the Late Venerable Dr. K. Sri Dhammananda Nayaka Maha Thera. A world-renowned Buddhist monk and scholar, Venerable Dhammananda has written more than 70 books on Buddhism, including the best-seller “What Buddhists Believe”, which has gone through several editions and is now available in more than 16 languages.
Under the leadership of the Venerable, the BMSM published and distributed Buddhist books and booklets throughout the world. The booklets in particular have enlightened millions of people on the true teachings of the Buddha. Today, it remains the largest Buddhist publication house in Malaysia.
The beloved Venerable passed away on 31 August 2006. Nevertheless his missionary spirit shall continue.
BMSM, together with the Sasana Abhiwurdhi Wardhana Society (SAWS), played an active role in the development of the Buddhist Maha Vihara in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur. It was involved in the completion of the International Buddhist Pagoda, Wisma Sri Dhamma, Wisma Dhamma Annex, and the new school building known as Wisma Dharma Cakra.
The BMSM also purchased an old cinema in Kajang and converted it into a Dhamma centre. About a hundred children are attending Sunday Dhamma classes in this centre. Meanwhile, it also rented a premise in Kota Kemuning to provide Buddhist education for both adults and children. Recently BMSMt also established a meditation and retreat centre known as Dhammavijaya in Dengkil. The meditation master is Ven. Aggana, appointed by Ven. Pa-Auk Sayadow.
The BMS Endowment Fund was launched in 1986. Its objective was to meet the social and welfare needs of the community, including providing financial assistance to poor and needy school children, the physically handicapped and victims of natural disasters. In 1997, a Scholarship and Loan Fund was started.
In order to ensure effective missionary work for all levels of society, BMSM has established various sections within the organization. They include the Youth Section (1963), Welfare Section (1977) and Ladies Section (1988).
BMSM is an affiliate of the World Fellowship of Buddhists (WFB), an international NGO. It was instrumental in assisting the WFB Malaysia in organizing the 9th General Conference of the WFB in Kuala Lumpur and Penang in 1969. In December 2002, it again assisted the WFB Selangor Regional Center organize the 22nd WFB Conference in Malaysia. The BMSM also organized the first (2002) and fifth (2007) Global Conference on Buddhism.
BMSM has jointly organized various major religious activities with SAWS at the Buddhist Maha Vihara — Wesak Celebration, All-Night Chanting, Buddhist Novitiate Program and Kathina ceremony. Other programs included the New Full and Full Moon services, and Dhamma talks on Friday evenings and Sunday mornings.
A Buddhist Monks’ Training Center was established in 1976 to train local Buddhists to become monks. The Annual Buddhist Novitiate Program has been held regularly.
The BMSM, together with SAWS and Malaysian Buddhist Association (MBA), represent Buddhists in the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism(MCCBCHST) that was formed in 1983 to promote inter-religious harmony in Malaysia. The Society is also involved in Inter-Spiritual Fellowship (INSaF), an organization formed to promote greater understanding amongst the major religions in Malaysia.
Phone: (03) 22730150 (General Office)
Fax: (03) 22740245
Website: http://www.bmsm.org.my
