How did Ti-Ratana begin?
Ti-Ratana’s history is closely connected with the development of modern Buddhism in Malaysia and with the Buddhist Maha Vihara in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur.
The Buddhist Maha Vihara traces its beginnings to 1894, when the foundation stone of the temple was laid. The Śāsana Abhiwurdhi Wardhana Society, which administers the temple, was formally registered in 1895.
In early 1952, the late Most Venerable Dr. K. Sri Dhammananda Nayaka Maha Thera arrived in Malaya from Sri Lanka and took up residence at the Buddhist temple in Brickfields. He subsequently became one of the most influential Buddhist missionary monks in Malaysia.
Under his leadership, the Buddhist Missionary Society was organised in 1961 and formally registered on 3 April 1962. The organisation later adopted the name Buddhist Missionary Society Malaysia (BMSM) in 1996.
In 1980, at the invitation of Ven. Dr. K. Sri Dhammananda, Ven. Kirinde Sri Dhammaratana came to Malaysia from Sri Lanka to serve at the Buddhist Maha Vihara. He later became the Buddhist Chief High Priest of Malaysia and went on to establish the Ti-Ratana organisations.
The Establishment of Ti-Ratana
The Foundations of Ti-Ratana
Ti-Ratana Welfare Society was registered on 9 February 1994. Its welfare work subsequently expanded to provide care, shelter, education and community services to people in need regardless of race or creed. Its welfare centre was officially opened on 21 June 1997.
Ti-Ratana Buddhist Society was later established as a separate registered society for Buddhist religious, educational and community activities.
The Buddhist Society was established at Jalan Robson, Kuala Lumpur, on 1 December 1999 and formally registered on 22 February 2000.
Although Ti-Ratana Welfare Society and Ti-Ratana Buddhist Society form part of the wider Ti-Ratana family and share a common founder and history, they are separate legal societies with their own registrations, committees and functions.
Ti-Ratana Buddhist Society Headquarters
The Buddhist Society initially operated from Jalan Robson, Kuala Lumpur. On 1 October 2002, the Society moved its headquarters to Bangsar.
In 2006, its operational headquarters moved to rented premises in Ampang. As the Ampang premises were rented and temporary, the Society retained its existing registered address with the Registrar of Societies rather than changing its ROS address.
In 2018, the operational headquarters returned to Bangsar, where Ti-Ratana Buddhist Society continues to be headquartered today.
On 27 June 2018, Ti-Ratana Buddhist Society was re-registered under its present Kuala Lumpur and Selangor registration, PPM-024-14-27062018.
Over the years, Ti-Ratana Buddhist Society developed and supported Buddhist centres serving communities in different parts of Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and beyond.
History of Ti-Ratana Lumbini Garden
The Establishment of Ti-Ratana Lumbini Garden
Ti-Ratana Lumbini Garden was established to serve the Buddhist and wider community in Puchong.
After over three years of planning and renovations, the centre was officially opened on 24 February 2008 by the Most Venerable Datuk K. Sri Dhammaratana Nayaka Maha Thera, Founder and Spiritual Adviser of Ti-Ratana. Ti-Ratana’s organisational records also identify 24 February 2008 as the official opening date of the Puchong branch.
Our first home
Ti-Ratana Lumbini Garden originally operated from a rented three-storey premises of approximately 7,000 sq ft in Bandar Puteri Puchong.
The centre included a Buddhist shrine hall, communal kitchen and dining area, Sunday Dhamma School classrooms, meditation facilities, a library and multimedia facilities.
As participation increased, the original premises gradually became too small. By 2010, the centre had begun planning for a larger permanent home to accommodate its growing congregation, Sunday Dhamma School, youth activities, administration and community programmes.
Moving to our present home
With support from the late Tan Sri Dato’ Lee Shin Cheng and the IOI group, Ti-Ratana was able to secure larger premises only a short distance from the original centre.
On 24 February 2012, exactly four years after Lumbini Garden first opened, the centre moved to its present home at 36 & 38, Jalan Puteri 4/2 , Bandar Puteri , 47100 Puchong, Selangor Darul Ehsan.
Ti-Ratana’s central historical timeline records 24 February 2012 as the date of the relocation. The present four-storey premises comprise approximately 13,700 sq ft and were originally developed as commercial/showroom premises before being adapted progressively for Buddhist religious, educational, administrative and community use.
The property is owned by Ti-Ratana Welfare Society and is used by Ti-Ratana Buddhist Society for the operation of Ti-Ratana Lumbini Garden.
Since moving here, Ti-Ratana Lumbini Garden has continued to evolve together with the Puchong community. Its activities have included Buddhist pūjā and chanting, Dhamma talks, meditation, Sunday Dhamma School, youth programmes, welfare and community service, educational activities and other programmes supporting the development of a healthy and compassionate society.
Today, Ti-Ratana Lumbini Garden remains one of the principal centres of Ti-Ratana Buddhist Society in Selangor.