What We Do
Buddhist from Generation to Generation...
Buddhism got firmly implanted in the isle of Sri Lanka after the advent of Arahant Mahinda there. It was instrumental in causing revolutionary changes in the deep-rooted beliefs and customs of the people and provided them a unique culture that has expressed itself in architectural works, tanks, ponds, parks, palaces, stupas, and statues. At a particular stage in that great civilization, the Tripitaka was transcribed on Ola leaves and was thus preserved for posterity. The Sinhala Buddhist literature that was safeguarded and fostered for over two thousand years gradually declined after the fall of the Kandyan kingdom and became moribund as a result of western invasions.
The Buddhist Cultural Centre (BCC) was established in 1992 as the brainchild of Ven. Kirama Wimalajothi thera splendidly amended what has been a long-felt need of Buddhists both of Sri Lanka and abroad. Those days Buddhist publications were hard to be seen in any of the major book shops in Colombo and outstations. Upon inquiry, the publishers said that there was no demand for books on Buddhism and hence they did not undertake any Buddhist publications. Even our most cherished ancient treatises such as Jataka stories, Pujavaliya, Saddharmalankaraya were hard to be seen on sale owing to the vaunted lack of popularity of Buddhist publications.
Ven. Kirama Wimalajothi there who had been abroad for 20 years as a Buddhist missionary realizing the dearth of Buddhist publications started the Buddhist Cultural Centre with the assistance of his Malaysian devotees on a small scale to promote Buddhist publications atop other banal publications such as novels and short stories. Started as a non-profit venture with good intentions and an open heart, the BCC has now published over 1000 books on Buddhism and related topics in both Sinhala and English.
The Buddhist Cultural Centre (BCC) was established in 1992 as the brainchild of Ven. Kirama Wimalajothi thera splendidly amended what has been a long-felt need of Buddhists both of Sri Lanka and abroad. Those days Buddhist publications were hard to be seen in any of the major book shops in Colombo and outstations. Upon inquiry, the publishers said that there was no demand for books on Buddhism and hence they did not undertake any Buddhist publications. Even our most cherished ancient treatises such as Jataka stories, Pujavaliya, Saddharmalankaraya were hard to be seen on sale owing to the vaunted lack of popularity of Buddhist publications.
Ven. Kirama Wimalajothi there who had been abroad for 20 years as a Buddhist missionary realizing the dearth of Buddhist publications started the Buddhist Cultural Centre with the assistance of his Malaysian devotees on a small scale to promote Buddhist publications atop other banal publications such as novels and short stories. Started as a non-profit venture with good intentions and an open heart, the BCC has now published over 1000 books on Buddhism and related topics in both Sinhala and English.
Timeline
BCC since its induction in 1992, it has the following achievements to its credit.
in 2014
Bhikkhuni Training Centre
New Bhikkhuni Training Centre and International faculty of Buddhist Studies, established in 2014 affiliated to Horana, Dekanduwala Dhamma Training and Meditation Centre.in 2014
In 2011
Sri Sambuddha Jayanthi Mandiraya
In 2008
Kirama Dhammananda Vidyalaya
In 2008
In 2006
four-storied Hospital complex - Tangalle
In 2006, the Buddhist Cultural Centre together with the Buddhist Maha Vihara Kula – Lampur, Malaysia constructed a New four-storied Hospital complex in Tangalle, at a cost of Rs. 145. Million. Medical equipment worth Rs. 200 Million was donated by AmeriCares. The objective was to upgrade the District hospital to a Base Hospital and to provide better health facilities for the people of Tangalle and Hambantota.
In 2005
In 2005
In 2005 A Dhamma School in English medium was started to improve the knowledge of English and Buddhism in Dhamma Students.
In 2005
In 2005
In 2005
In 2005 for the first time, a project was launched to translate all Pali Commentaries into English and Pali teeka into Sinhala Language.
In 2004
In 2004
For the first time in 2004, Pali Atuwa (Commentaries) was translated into Sinhala language and printed for the benefit of all.
In 2004
In 2002
In 2002
In 2002, a New edition of the Buddha Jayanthi Tripitaka Published by the government of Sri Lanka was re-printed with quality printing.
In 2000
In 2000
In the year 2000, a Bhikkhuni Training Centre was launched at the Dekanduwala Meditation Centre, to ordain woman who is interested in spiritual-religious life. They are educated in pali language, Dhamma Studies, religious counseling, and Leadership Training. Higher Ordination was granted to the qualified students at the Rangiri Dambulla Rajamaha Vihara.
In 2000
In 1996
In 1996
Since 1996, Buddhist information and online book shop were introduced through the internet to provide easy access to the public worldwide.
In 1995
In 1995
In 1995, ten disciplined children were ordained and trained as Buddhist Missionaries.
In 1995
In 1994
In 1994
In 1994, Buddhist Books were introduced to Tourist Hotels for the Benefit of the tourists.
In 1994
In 1994
In 1994, The Buddhist Cultural Centre launched a Residential Meditation Centre at Dekanduwala, Horana to introduce practical Meditation for local and foreign devotees. Interim ordination too was continued here for a time but now it has been converted into a fully-fledged Buddhist nunnery.
In 1994
In 1994
In 1994
In 1994, a Mobile Book shop called “DharmaYathra” was launched to make the villages aware of the importance of Buddhism in their daily family lives.
In 1994
In 1994
The objective of the Buddhist Cultural Centre was to improve the knowledge of Buddhism among the public. Therefore in 1993 Book exhibitions were organized in Colombo and in outstation areas.
In 1994
In 1994
In 1994
The Buddhist cultural centre was equipped with modern printing techniques to publish ancient Buddhist Texts and to upgrade the quality of “Buddhist Books” to meet the high demand and promote knowledge in Buddhism among Dhamma Students and laity.
In 1994
In 1994
In 1994 the Discourses of the Buddha were translated into 13 volumes and printed in Sinhala.
In 1994
In 1992
In 1992
In 1992, all Buddhist Publications worldwide were collected by learned Buddhist Monks and distributed among local and foreign readers.
2nd January 1992
2nd January 1992
The Buddhist cultural centre was inaugurated on the 2nd of January 1992 by Ven. Kirama Wimalajothi Thero, At Nedimala, Dehiwala.
2nd January 1992