By Amanda L
KUCHING, Jan 11: The RM20 million San Seng Tong Buddhist Cultural and Education Centre here has officially opened, marking a major milestone in the temple’s decades-long transition from a single-purpose religious site into an integrated hub for education, culture and community engagement.
The four-storey centre, developed under the guidance of Venerable Fo Sheng with support from Deputy Venerable Jue Gui, is designed to serve all age groups and the wider public, offering facilities such as multi-purpose halls, a meditation hall, a sutra transcription hall, and dedicated spaces for children’s and youth education programmes.
The project was funded through public donations, with RM4.4 million contributed by Sarawak’s Unit for Other Religions (UNIFOR). Construction faced delays following the nationwide Movement Control Order during the Covid-19 pandemic, which temporarily halted building works and fundraising efforts.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, who officiated the opening, said the centre reflects Sarawak’s commitment to inclusivity, education and inter-community harmony.
“The centre is not only for religious practice, but also for education, youth development and shared values that contribute to Sarawak’s nation-building,” he told reporters after the event.
A key feature of the centre is a 15-metre jade carving of the Jing Kang Jing, comprising 236 Buddha statues and two sculpted Kuching cats. Crafted by overseas artisans using various types of jade, the carving is described by organisers as unique on a global scale.
According to the organisers, the land for the project was acquired in 2007, with site preparation beginning in 2017 and the groundbreaking ceremony held in 2019. Despite early setbacks during the pandemic, continued support from devotees, donors and the public enabled the project’s completion.
Located near the ART Exchange Centre, the San Seng Tong Buddhist Cultural and Education Centre is now open to the public and is expected to function as a long-term cultural and educational platform for the local community and beyond. — DayakDaily
