Commemorating the 20th Anniversary of the Passing of Chief Ven. Dr K Sri Dhammananda

31 Aug 2026, A Buddhist Channel Special Edition

The Buddhist Channel pays tribute to the late Chief Ven. Dr K Sri Dhammananda Maha Nayaka Thera on the the 20th annoiversary of his passing

The late Venerable K. Sri Dhammananda Nayaka Maha Thera will always be remembered as one of Malaysia’s great Buddhist lights, a compassionate teacher whose wisdom, simplicity, and tireless service helped bring the Dhamma into the hearts of countless people. In a diverse and changing society of multi-religious Malaysia, he stood as a calm and dignified voice of truth, kindness, and harmony, strengthening the Buddhist community while encouraging respect across traditions. His life was a living offering of dana, sila, and panna, and his legacy continues to inspire all who seek to walk the path of the Buddha.

Today, The Buddhist Channel publishes the archives documenting the "Last Years and Days of Chief Venerable" as tribute to commemorate his passing on 31 August 2006 (Merdeka Day, Malaysia's independence Day).

'The Buddha taught just three things: Avoid evil, Do good, Purify the mind'

- Chief Ven. Dr K Sri Dhammananda quoting the Dhammapada 183

Chief's "Homecoming"

31 August 2006

View slide gallery:
https://buddhistchannel.tv/Chief-Homecoming/

Read news of this event:
Malaysia and Singapore's Chief Monk passes away

Chief's Funeral Rites

1-2 September 2026

View slide gallery
https://buddhistchannel.tv/Chief-Funeral/

Archive: A compilation of articles on the funeral of the late Chief Venerable K Sri Dhammananda

Cremation arrangements for the late Venerable Dr K Sri Dhammananda

3 September 2006

View slide gallery
https://buddhistchannel.tv/Chief-Cremation/

Read the news about this event:
Funeral arrangements for the late Venerable Dr K Sri Dhammananda

40 Foot Pyre for Late Chief Venerable's Cremation

Nirwana Memorial, Semenyih at 5 pm on Sunday, September 3, 2006
The late Venerable Dr K Sri Dhammananda's funeral ceremony was conducted with steep Buddhist tradition, in the footsteps of the Buddha Himself

View Slide Gallery
https://buddhistchannel.tv/Chief-Pyre/

Read the news about this event: 40 foot pyre for the "Chief"

Auspicious Signs Appear at Chief Venerable's Cremation

3-4 September 2006
Some "unexplained" signs were seen during the cremation of the late Venerable Dr K. Sri Dhammananda.

View Slide Gallery
https://buddhistchannel.tv/Chief-Signs/

Read the news about this event: Odd Sighting At Dhammananda's Cremation

Video: A documentary of "Chief: The Life and Work of K Sri Dhammananda"

The video, produced by True Sense Production, premiered at the Wesak International Film Festival (WIFF), held in Kuala Lumpur on 2006.

Director: Oon Yeoh (Malaysia)
Producer: Lim Kooi Fong (Malaysia)
Filmography: Zan Azlee (Malaysia)
Editor: Wong Hung Chung (Malaysia)
Narrator: Gary Gach (USA, author of "Idiot's Guide to Understanding Buddhism")

The video can be viewed here:

Chief's Memorial

2 December 2006
Relics of the late Venerable Dr K Sri Dhammananda was interned in mini pagoda

View Slide Gallery
https://buddhistchannel.tv/Chief-Memorial/

Read the news about this event:
Relics of the late Venerable Dr K Sri Dhammananda interned in mini pagoda

Book: Spiritual Tea Break with Ven Dr K Sri Dhammananda

The Buddhist News Network (which was rebranded as The Buddhist Channel in 2006) captured the thoughts of the late Chief Venerable in a series of articles from 2001 to 2002. The interviews - believed to be some of the most honest and candid ever recorded - were later compiled into this book, published by Upakara Kalyana Mitta Buddhist Association (UKMBA) in 2002.

Here are some excerpts from the book:

Spiritual Tea Breaks: The interviews with Ven. Dr. K. Sri Dhammananda from June 2001 to February 2002

Note: This book is out of print