Ven. Datuk Kirinde Sri Dhammaratana Nayaka Maha Thera

(03/01/2009 - Present)

Ven. Datuk K. Dhammaratana Thera was invited to come to the Buddhist Vihara, Brickfields on 8 March 1980. He was appointed Principal of the BISDS in 1988. After serving as Principal for a year, he left for the USA. In 1994, he resumed his post of Principal and has since remained in this position.

Like past Principals, Ven. Datuk K. Dhammaratana Thera places priority on Buddhist education in 1995, with the blessing of Ven. Datuk Dhammaratana Thera, a Dhamma class for adults conducted in Mandarin was set up by the BISDS. It was an effort by the Ven. Datuk K. Dhammaratana Thera to make the Buddhadhamma accessible to the Chinese speaking Buddhists. The Mandarin Dhamma class has received overwhelming response. It is also during his tenure that the student population increased to over 1000.

Ven. Datuk K. Dhammaratana Thera's compassion has made him a popular refuge for parents of the BISDS students. He is always attentive to their problems and suggestions and accommodates their request.

Besides, Ven. Datuk K. Dhammaratana Thera is actively involved in organizing several welfare projects. His organizational skills have been very useful in spreading the Dhamma throughout the country. One of the welfare projects is the Ti-Ratana Welfare Centre in Salak South Garden. We value his wisdom and advice in running the BISDS.

Late Ven. Dr. K. Sri Dhammananda Nayaka Thera, J.S.M.

(1952 – 31/08/2006)

Ven. Dr. K. Sri Dhammananda came from Sri Lanka in 1952 to take up position as a resident monk in the Brickfields Vihara on the invitation of the Sasana Abhiwurhdi Wardhana Society. It was then the intention of the Sasana Abhiwurdhi Wardhana Society to bring in a monk to the Vihara to administer to the religious needs of the Sinhala Community. Ven. Dr. K. Sri Dhammananda however, had his own vision and his arrival marked a new milestone in the history of Buddhist missionary work in the country.

Ven. K. Sri Dhammananda immediately went about his Buddhist missionary activities. Being a Dhamma teacher of great patience and wisdom, the Venerable was able to captivate the minds of his listeners with his clear, simple and scientific exposition of the Dhamma. His sermons which were eloquently delivered in English attracted English-educated Buddhists of other ethnic origins to the Vihara.

They began to take part in temple activities and sent their children to the BISDS in the Vihara. It was the beginning of the rapid expansion of the BISDS. The Venerable realizes that the future of Buddhism in Malaysia lies in the young and the educated. He takes a personal interest in the development of the BISDS having a hand in the training programmes for its staff members. His towering wisdom and compassion, coupled with his dedication to the cause of Dhamma, have been a source of great inspiration to BISDS staff members.

Besides, the Venerable was instrumental in encouraging Buddhist students at institutions of higher learning to establish Buddhist societies in their campuses. He has also organized special talks for campus students on Sunday mornings at the Vihara.

Ven. Dr. K. Sri Dhammananda Nayaka Thera has dedicated his life to teaching the Dhamma freely and indiscriminately to all Buddhists. He has travelled the length and breadth of the country to spread the Dhamma. Through his selfless service the Buddhist Maha Vihara has become the hub of Buddhist missionary activities in the country.