Founded by the Sinhalese from Sri Lanka in 1894, the Buddhist Maha Vihara is the focal point for the annual Wesak Day celebrations in the city.
Address
123 Jalan Berhala Brickfields 50470 Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur Malaysia
The Buddhist Maha Vihara, also known as the Brickfields Buddhist Temple, was founded in 1894 by the Sinhalese community in Malaysia.
The Wesak Day procession organized by the Vihara since the 1890s is the oldest and largest religious procession in the country. The parade follows the same route almost every year; passing by Jalan Raja Chulan, Jalan Sultan Ismail and Jalan Bukit Bintang and back to Brickfields again. In total, the month-long Wesak day celebrations at the Vihara attract about 100,000 people.
Since the 1940s, the Vihara commenced a free Dharma publications program which is today available in 26 languages, with many copies of books and CDs produced alongside classes and talks on Buddhism.
The Vihara’s Buddhist Institute Sunday Dhamma School (BISDS), founded in 1929, is the oldest Sunday School in the country and continues to produce systematic books on Buddhist studies for children.
The Vihara too draws a unique distinction in Malaysia of having hosted several heads of state and dignitaries from various countries including Malaysia, Tibet, Sri Lanka and Thailand.
Map
How to get to Buddhist Maha Vihara, Brickfields
Driving is the best way to get here. Brickfields is well connected to the rest of Selangor and Kuala Lumpur via Federal Highway.
By Train
The nearest KTM station is KL Sentral whereas the nearest monorail stations are KL Sentral and Tun Sambanthan.
By Bus
If you are on the KL Hop-On Hop-Off bus, stop at Brickfields, Little India, which is a short distance to the Buddhist Maha Vihara. Otherwise, many buses to and from the city centre pass through Brickfields and KL Sentral.
