History of Amala

History of SGM-AMALA

SGM-Amala was established officially on the 28^th October 1989 in Penang Island by our 1st and former General Director Mr. Koh Teng Hong. It was the first move taken by Soka Gakkai Malaysia to accommodate the Indian practitioners of Nichiren Buddhism . The name “AMALA”
defines its pureness and it is also known as the 9^th consciousness attained by performing the highest meditation state, as we chant “NAM-MYOHO-RENGE-KYO”, we attain the highest state of consciousness and connect ourselves with the Mystic Law.

During the early years when it was formed, the Amala Group was led by the Woman Chief Mdm. Yeoh Joo Saik (Mrs. Yeap). She was a very dedicated and supportive leader. She had given her biggest contribution to growth of Amala Penang.  They used to have meetings at the Pulau Tikus SGM Center. Meetings usually held in Tamil for the tamil educated members and also it was an opening path for more Indian members in Malaysia to learn and to benefit by practicing Nichiren Buddhism. All the study materials will be translated from English and will be conducted in Tamil for the understanding of Indian members. Such efforts and support was given by our senior members in faith who took that as their mission to achieve absolute happiness in each and every Indians peoples lives.

Pulau Tikus SGM Center

 Kuala Lumpur also had quiet a number of Indian practitioners and the formation of Amala Group in KL took place during the same year of its establishment. In KL, the group was led by Mr. & Mrs. Bala with the support of Ms.Wendy and Ms. June. The meetings were held at the Jalan Imbi SGM Center. All the meetings held in KL and Penang will be based on the study materials such as Flow and Cosmic and some are taken from other study materials published by Soka Gakkai International from other countries.

Jalan Imbi, KL SGM Center

We had around 80 members at that time, now, after 23 years we have approximately 230 Amala members from Penang Island, Butterworth and Kedah. In Kuala Lumpur, by combining the whole 5 Regions, there are approximately 210 members, so there are total of 440 members in the whole of Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Kedah. There are a few who are practicing in other states such as Ipoh, Malacca and Johor Bharu. But, it was a tough road for growth to reach these people who are in need of a correct teaching, but now, as we slowly changed our views from attaining materialistic benefits into doing Human Revolution, things have changed for the better for us to reach these people and change their lives. 

In 2006, SGM Amala took another step in growth and expansion. It was our former and 1st General Director Mr. Koh Teng Hong who decided to have Amala meetings in regional base. By doing this, the senior Amala members were given an opportunity to lead and develop Amala Group. In Kuala Lumpur, we have a total of 5 regions, through the earnest effort and aim to grow, Amala Kuala Lumpur has its members increasing gradually through out the year. In the present moment, since 2006 onwards The Amala Group was growing through the continuous support of our 2nd former General Director Mr. Choo Kong Fei and currently by our 3rd General Director Mr. Koh Sia Feai. 
It is our dream to have AMALA-SGM in every state and to have great and courageous leaders to lead and develop every Indian members to become as a great leader with compassion, courage, and to have the never give-up spirit under any circumstances. To educate and to be educated on the great knowledge of all, the knowledge of life, and furthermore, this knowledge comes from Soka Gakkai Malaysia. An organization that promotes peace, culture and education at its best! 

*Center pictures take from google images courtesy of http://www.sgm.org.my/en/home/centers.html and Amala Group picture courtesy from the blogger.