1979    Venerable Saljay Rinpoche, His Eminence Beru Khyentse Rinpoche and His Holiness the 14^th Kunzig Shamar Rinpoche were invited by the late Venerable Da Xiong to give teachings. The teachings were conducted at the former Lien Foh Lin temple, located at 34H Lorong Zaitun. This heralded the dawn of Karma Kagyud Buddhist teachings in Singapore.

During His Holiness Shamar Rinpoche's visit, he advised Mr David Chee Kim Swee and a group of devotees to set up a Buddhist Centre named Karma Kagyud Buddhist Centre (KKBC). A bungalow at No. 17 Jalan Lateh was rented for this purpose.

1980    His Holiness, the 16^th Gyalwa Karmapa Rangjung Rigpe Dorje visited Singapore from 27^th December to 5^th January 1981.  He gave his blessings for the successful Dharma propagation of the Centre and assured Mr David Chee that he would send a qualified teacher as an advisor to the Centre. He conducted the Black Hat ceremony and left a pair of his shoes at KKBC, signifying his return in future.

1981    KKBC was approved by the Registrar of Societies on 17^th March.

1982    The first management committee of KKBC was formed on 11^th March.

1982    Upon His Holiness Shamar Rinpoche's request, Venerable Shangpa Rinpoche accepted the offer to become the religious advisor of KKBC.

1989    KKBC was approved as a charitable organization by the Commissioner of Charities on 2^nd May.

1990    Venerable Shangpa Rinpoche initiated the search for new premises to cater for the expansion of the Centre’s activities. A bungalow with freehold land located at No. 38 Lorong 22 Geylang was shortlisted for the purchase.

1990    His Holiness Shamar Rinpoche visited KKBC to advise members on the purchase of the new premises and launched the “One Man One Hundred” fundraising campaign.  

1991    His Holiness Shamar Rinpoche visited KKBC on 18^th June to give blessings and encouragement to members on the purchase of the new premises.

1991    With the concerted effort of Venerable Shangpa Rinpoche, Mr and Mrs Loh Seck Fah, as well as members and devotees, the new premises was purchased. 

1992    KKBC relocated from No. 17 Jalan Lateh to the new premises on 29^th December.

1993    KKBC was granted the permanent change of use of premises as a Buddhist Institution by Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) on 7^th October.          

1993    KKBC completed refurbishment works and celebrated its opening on 14^th November with a thousand people vegetarian dinner.  His Holiness Shamar Rinpoche inaugurated the opening ceremony.

1996    Venerable Shangpa Rinpoche became a Permanent Resident of Singapore on 23^nd May. 

1997    On 14^th September, during his 38^th birthday celebration, Venerable Shangpa Rinpoche initiated a new building project to cater for the expanding centre activities, with a personal contribution of SGD 21,000 and donated several pieces of priceless Buddhist artefacts for fundraising.

1997    The Registry of Societies granted the amendment to KKBC's constitution to include an Abbot for the centre on 10^th November.

1998    KKBC's website was launched on 1^st February. 

1998    Venerable Shangpa Rinpoche was enthroned as the Abbot of KKBC on 4^th September, following the traditional Vajrayana procedure.

1999    His Holiness, the 17^th Gyalwa Karmapa Trinley Thaye Dorje visited Singapore from 29^th October to 6^th November during his first trip overseas. He blessed the new building project and made a donation.

1999    KKBC invited Maniwa Sherab Gyaltsen Rinpoche and organised the first Mani Project for devotees to collectively recite 100 Million times of the six syllable mantra, Om Mani Padme Hung, from 28^th November to 31^st December.

2000    KKBC renovated its premises and inaugurated its new shrine Hall on 10^th September.

2001    His Holiness Shamar Rinpoche visited KKBC from 20^th to 25^th January during the Lunar New Year celebration and gave teachings to members and devotees.

The Children Dharma Class was launched by His Holiness Shamar Rinpoche on 25^th June.

2004    His Holiness Shamar Rinpoche visited KKBC from 13^th to 15^th February. A welcome dinner was held at Katong Community Club.

2006    His Holiness the 17^th Gyalwa Karmapa Trinley Thaye Dorje graced the celebration of KKBC's 25^th anniversary during his visit from 7^th to 15^th October.

2011    His Holiness Shamar Rinpoche visited KKBC from 3^rd to 6^th March for the last time. He was briefed on the new building plan. 

2012    His Holiness the 17^th Gyalwa Karmapa Trinley Thaye Dorje visited KKBC from 25^th to 31^st May to lend support to the fundraising activities for the KKBC new building project.

2012  URA granted written permission on 9th October for KKBC to build a new building.

2014   Venerable Shangpa Rinpoche launched fundraising project during a grand dinner on 18 January. 

2014   KKBC was relocated to temporary premises at No. 31 Lor 24A Geylang on 1 May.

2014   KKBC awarded the contract for the construction of the new building on 20 Aug.

2014   The KKBC new building project commenced on 1^st September with the demolition of the old building.

2014    His Holiness, the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa Trinley Thaye Dorje visited KKBC from 26^th September to 3^rd October to grace the auspicious ground breaking ceremony for the new building. He also conducted the 1^st Kagyud Monlam with prominent Kagyud Rinpoches and lamas.

2015     KKBC organized the 2^nd Kagyud Monlam on 20^th September.

2017    URA granted the temporary occupation license (TOP) to KKBC on 15^th April.

2017     KKBC relocated to its new building on 31^st May.

Five Core Activities of KKBC

 
Over the years, KKBC has developed five core activities that provide the condition to support devotees to learn, practice, serve, share and progress on the path of enlightenment. By participating in the five core activities, individuals will walk on the path to enlightenment. This will assist them to perfect all the Paramitas and realise true compassion and wisdom. The five core activities are: 

• Teachings, transmissions and retreats, which help to overcome lust, hatred and delusion, and develop compassion and wisdom. Teachings help to formulate the enlightenment attitude. Transmissions and retreats develop experience and realizations. 

• Pilgrimage. When we visit holy places, we recollect the great deeds of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas and pray to receive their blessings. We also make the aspiration to follow in their footsteps and walk on the path to enlightenment.

• Group Practices with emphasis on the practice of meditation are held weekly.

• Events such as anniversary celebrations, Mani Dandrub, Kagyud Monlam and His Holiness Karmapa's visit, teachings and transmission given by invited teachers, pujas that bestow great blessings. These events encourage participants and volunteers to perform good deeds and accumulate merits. 

• Charity which is also the practice of generosity, the first Paramita. Charity work benefit others in skills development, material or spiritual ways. Serving with pure devotion is part of practice.