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The Birth of KKDSKL
The centre’s genesis began in Nepal, 1975 when a group of Malaysian devotees were visiting there for an auspicious pilgrimage, which included several empowerments by the late H.H. the 16th Karmapa Rangjung Rigpe Dorje.
At that time, an invitation was extended to H.H. and he accepted the invitation to visit Malaysia. Not until 1976 was H.H. able to plan a brief 4-day visit to Malaysia during a detour to America.
A welcoming committee was set up and the first meeting was held at an old temple in Jalan Birch. H.H. arrived on 22nd October 1976 and spent two days at the Kong Chee Nam Temple in Ipoh.
He then returned to Kuala Lumpur on 24th October and stayed at the Kwan Yin Kok Temple in Ipoh Road. Here, for the first time, the sacred ceremony of the Black Crown (Vajra Mukut) was performed with more than a thousand people attending.
Moving to the Present Location – No. 2 Lorong Jubilee, Off Jalan Loke Yew, KL
In 1985 with the blessing of H.H. the late 16th Karmapa KKDSKL was able to take over a small Guan Yin temple at the current permanent location at No. 2 Lorong Jubilee, Off Jalan Loke Yew.
Renovations of the main hall to a Tibetan-monastic style shrine hall began almost immediately. The work was done under the expert guidance of the late Ven. Tenga Rinpoche. The renovation work was completed after 3 months.
A grand Kalachakra Empowerment by Ven. Tenga Rinpoche was performed to commemorate the starting of the new centre.
10th (1986) and 21st (1997) Anniversary Celebrations
KKDSKL celebrated its 10th Anniversary on 25th Oct 1986.
The ceremony was officiated by the then Minister of Labour, Y.B.Dato’ Lee Kim Sai. In attendance were other distinguished guests like Y.B. Dr Goh Cheng Teik, Chief High Priest of Malaysia and
Singapore, the late Dr K. Sri Dhammamanda Nayaka Thera, thelate Ven. Paik Wan, the late H.H. Kunzig Shamar Rinpoche, the late H.E. the 3rd Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche, H.E. Beru Khyentse
Rinpoche and Ven. Shangpa Rinpoche.
In 1997, KKDSKL celebrated its 21st anniversary. Lamas from Rumtek Monastery, India were specially invited to perform a 3-day Guru Rinpoche Puja in the centre. Other activities, including a 3-day Vajrayana exhibition and a blood donation drive were organised to augment this occasion.
In 1999 (23.11.1999 to 26.11.1999), H.H. the 17th Karmapa Trinley Thaye Dorje visited our centre for the first time. H.H. Karmapa gave the Avalokiteshvara Empowerment and performed the Refuge-taking Ceremony at the Mines International Convention Hall. He also gave the Karma Pakshi Empowerment and conducted the Buddha Shakyamuni and 16 Arhats Puja in the centre. A grand dinner was also held at the Mines International Convention Hall. Although this was a short visit, nevertheless it was a memorable and fruitful one for all.
Rebuilding of the Centre, 2003 to 2005
After occupying the present premises for 20 years, KKDSKL felt that a rebuilding of the centre was most necessary to accommodate the increasing need of the society.
So on 5th June 2003, after prayers and benediction led by Ven. Chinchok, the symbolic demolition took place. This began with the removal of the plaque which indicated the establishment of the centre on 25th Oct 1986, and the demolition of parts of the building front, led by Ven. Chinchok Rinpoche and some committee members.
A blessing ceremony and Puja subsequently took place at the temporary place for KKDSKL to continue its spiritual activities until the completion of the new building.
The rebuilding was completed after 2 years, at a cost of RM 2 million. The new 3-storey building was designed and built according to rich Tibetan monastic style with traditional paintings and furnishings.
On 13th April 2005, the official moving back into the new building took place. This was marked by a Puja and special blessing prayers led by Ven. Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche and his lamas in the new shrine hall. All the old statues and other shrine materials were put back in the new centre.
Consecration and Installation of the 8-ft Shakyamuni Statue and Other Statues in the Main Shrine Hall.
With the new building and the big shrine hall, the committee felt the need to have bigger statues as the previous statues were not in proportion to the size of the shrine. After many meetings between the committee, Ven. Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche and Ven. Shangpa Rinpoche, the committee started to source for a good quality main Buddha statue and over hundred smaller statues.
In the end, Thailand and Nepal were chosen to make the statues. After many rounds of scrutiny and deliberation, the committee decided to purchase an eight foot Shakyamuni Buddha Statue from Thailand and the rest from Nepal. The Committee would like to thank Ven. Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche and Ven. Shangpa Rinpoche for their valuable advice and personally checking on the quality and progress of work.
When the statues arrived at the centre, the consecration preparatory work started immediately under the supervision of Anila Karma Yeshe Palmo. Many members and devotees spent many Sundays, taking Sojong vows, to make mantra rolls.
We also went round to source the various materials needed for use in the consecration of the statues, such as the Life Wood, the Kangyur texts, sandalwood powder, precious stones, etc.
The last stage of the consecration was completed under the appreciated guidance of the late Chopon Lobsang (from Rumtek Monastery) and Lama Jigmela (Sherab Gyaltsen Rinpoche’s lama), assisted by Ven. Lopon Rinpoche and Lama Zopa (from UTBF), Khenpo Ngawang Gelek (from USA, Virginia), Lama Thujam (from Khyenkong Centre), Anila Yeshe Palmo and Chang Kwang Sifu.
The above Sangha and many other hardworking volunteers had helped in all sorts of preparatory work to ensure a speedy completion of the consecration of the statues.
30th Anniversary Celebration (2006)
In 2006, KKDSKL celebrated its 30th Anniversary along with the grand opening of the new 3-storey building. H.H. the 17th Karmapa Trinley Thaye Dorje led these celebrations. Among his entourage of eight lamas were Ven. Nedo Rinpoche, Ven. Shangpa Rinpoche and Ven. Khenchen Chodrak Rinpoche. A two-week programme consisting of teachings and empowerments, and also a meeting with Singapore and other Malaysian centres was carried out from 17th – 28th Oct 2006, and concluded with a 1,000 People Grand Dinner.
In 2012, H.H. the 17th Karmapa visited the centre for the 3rd time (18th to 24th May 2012). H.H. bestowed empowerments of Manjushri and Chenrezig, gave teachings, conducted the refuge and bodhisattva vows ceremony, and performed the Red Chenrezig Jang Chog Puja for Deceased. A Grand 1,000 People Dinner was also organised to show our gratitude to H.H. and entourage.
Centre’s Activities
Since the inception of KKDSKL in 1976, it has helped in the spread of Tibetan Buddhism in Malaysia, particularly in Kuala Lumpur in many ways. We have invited many Holinesses, Rinpoches, Khenpos and Lamas to conduct pujas, give teachings and bestow empowerments. These are aimed at providing members and devotees the opportunities to meet and learn from Buddhist masters, particularly the Vajrayana masters. We also provided other facilities to help practitioners learn and practise the Vajrayana path more easily, such as the weekly and monthly group practices where members can learn chanting, visualisations, mudras, etc. of various sadhanas and puja texts; the publication of 'Kagyu Dharma', our yearly bulletin that provides a genuine source of Tibetan Buddhist literature for readers; the installation of a 5x3 feet Mani Prayer Wheel where devotees can have a taste of the joy of turning a prayer wheel, which is a very common feature in Tibetan monasteries; free vegetarian lunch and life release to encourage devotees to cultivate the habit of not harming lives and instead protecting lives, and more.
In terms of social services, KKDSKL carried out charitable activities such as visits to old folks' homes, orphanages and homes for the handicapped to distribute food and other necessities, blood donation drives, a free clinic to provide free traditional Chinese medical treatments, and more. All these are aimed at spreading the message of loving-kindness and care as taught in Buddhism.
The centre, with a history of being the forerunner of many other Vajrayana Buddhist centres in Malaysia continues to:
· spread the Buddha’s teachings of peace, virtue, love and compassion;
· provide a place with facilities conducive to practice and meditation;
· conduct systematic Dharma courses from basic teachings and graduating to higher levels;
· interact closely with communities of other Buddhist groups as well as with other religions;
· promote charitable activities/projects.
KKDSKL is an organisation member of the Selangor Branch of the Malaysian Buddhist Association (MBA) and a member of the Vajrayana Buddhist Council of Malaysia (VBCM).
The Vajrayana Path forever…
Deepen Your Connection
Email Us
info@karmakagyuds.com
Visit the Center
Karma Kagyu Dharma Society Kuala Lumpur
No 2, Lorong Jubilee off Jalan Loke Yew. 55200 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Call Us
Tel: +603 9222 1540
Fax: +603 9221 9810
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