New Johor Dharma Center Consecrated: Spreading the Dharma, Purifying the World

On June 9, 2024, we held the grand opening and the consecration ceremony for the Buddha statue and our newly completed Dharma Center in Johor, Malaysia. The original Johor Center was established through the sincere dedication and long-term contributions of our devotees, providing a shared space for collective practice. Thanks to their continued commitment, we have now acquired a larger space—one that can welcome even more people to engage in collective practice, study, and learning. It is our aspiration for this new place to become a spiritual center in Johor Bahru.

The Dharma serves to purify our consciousness, guiding us to "refrain from non-virtues, engage in virtues, and purify our intents." This is the enduring path of virtuous Dharma—orienting our lives around virtue, applying the Buddha’s wisdom to transform our afflictions, and walking the path of liberation from cyclic existence. Through our study, we cultivate transcendental wisdom as well as the four immeasurables, loving-kindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity—so that all sentient beings are blessed by the warmth and care of the Buddha.

When the Dharma remains present and flourishes in the world, sentient beings are blessed with great fortune, and society as a whole benefits from greater peace and stability. This was particularly evident during the pandemic, when the Dharma became a vital source of inner support for many practitioners, offering a sense of direction in times of uncertainty and chaos.

The direction of life can be understood in two ways. First, it is to realize our original face and embark on a journey of a joyful life, with mindfulness sustained by the guidance of the Buddhadharma. Second, it is to connect our hearts with all sentient beings, embracing a life dedicated to service and altruism. In this way, each individual may unfold the inherent value of life and radiate its brilliance in the world.

In addition to emphasizing human concerns, we must also recognize the importance of environmental awareness. Our worldview is one that honors all living beings as fundamental elements. Beyond showing respect, we must come to understand that we are companions, acknowledging the interconnected and interdependent relationships among all forms of life. The entire ecosystem is a holistic and organic entity.

Therefore, we must respect the intrinsic value of ecological existence, understanding that its value lies in sustaining life itself. The ecosystem provides the nourishment essential to our survival. Thus, we embrace each being's right to exist and protect them as they grow, thrive, and sustain themselves. This is the true meaning of ecological value. In the past, we often overlooked the importance of the environment; today, we must care for it with genuine love, so that sustainability becomes possible. Without it, human life cannot be sustained.

By applying the Dharma to guide our approach to spiritual ecology, we respond to the needs of our time. Thus, our mission of propagating the Dharma and benefiting beings takes this integrative direction. With the consecration of the new center, we hope all will cherish the opportunity to study and propagate Buddhadharma. Through this ecological compass and the compassion of the Buddha’s teachings, we hope to purify both society and humanity. Let us enter into the life of spiritual ecology, applying the Dharma to purify our defiled consciousness and transform it into a clear and virtuous mind—thereby ensuring the sustainability of both life and the natural world.