20261031 | Topping Out Ceremony for the New DDM Malaysia Centre
Our New Centre Takes Shape: A Future Hub for Chan Practice and Dharma Teaching in Southeast Asia
Completion expected in 2028
On 31 October, more than 250 guests, members of the DDM Fellowship of Honorary Directors, Dharma supporters and volunteers gathered at the construction site of Dharma Drum Mountain (DDM) Buddhist Centre Malaysia’s new centre. Located in Kwasa Damansara, Shah Alam, Selangor, the centre is being built on land designated for religious use. Venerable Guo Huei, Abbot President of DDM, presided over the sprinkling and topping out ceremonies, offering blessings for the construction and marking an important milestone for the project.
Representatives participating in the sprinkling ritual included Eddie Teh, Yap Thai Choy, construction project lead Khor Lye Hock and deputy project lead Tan Soon Keh. Ar. Heng Gee Hooi and Dato’ Vincent Lim Swee Chew carried the ceremonial golden beam and Buddhist banner for the topping out ritual.
Since the groundbreaking in September 2024, the new centre has steadily taken shape, with its five-storey structural frame now complete. Every stage reflects the construction team’s expertise and dedication, together with the shared aspirations of all who have supported the project. Work will continue on the mechanical and electrical systems, internal partitions and interior fit-out, with completion expected in 2028.
“We invite people to learn the Dharma, inspire them to practise it, and raise funds to support it.” Venerable Guo Huei encouraged everyone, especially young people, to take an active part in learning, practising, supporting and sharing the Dharma. Through collective efforts to build the centre and sustain its teaching activities, the Dharma can continue to flourish and benefit more people. With its convenient location and good transport links, he envisioned the new centre deepening DDM’s work in Malaysia while developing into its Southeast Asian hub for Chan practice and Dharma teaching, welcoming people from Malaysia and abroad.
Amid rapid technological advances, climate change and the pressures of modern life, Venerable Guo Huei reaffirmed DDM’s longstanding commitment to purifying minds and society. Building a centre provides a place where people can learn the Dharma and find peace within themselves, bringing greater harmony to their families, workplaces and communities. This begins with practising the Four Kinds of Environmentalism advocated by DDM founder Master Sheng Yen: protecting the spiritual, social, living and natural environments.
Plans for the new centre include flexible spaces for Chinese Chan meditation programmes and structured Buddhist education courses, serving people of different ages and levels of experience. Accommodation will support retreats and other practice programmes lasting a day or longer, allowing participants to deepen their practice and integrate the Dharma into everyday life. Facilities and resources will also be available to other orthodox Buddhist organisations committed to upholding the Dharma. International Buddhist courses, meditation programmes and seminars will foster learning, exchange and collaboration across borders.
We invite you to continue this journey with us. Your support for the new centre will help more people learn the Dharma and experience Chan meditation.
🔗 https://ddmmy.org/new-dharma-drum-mountain-malaysia-centre/
Text by Lo Chee Hoe
Photos by Tan Sim Lan, Leon Chan, William Ng, Eng Chee Sit, Yap Lee Khim