Buddha Day or ‘Wesak Day’ commemorates the Enlightenment of the Buddha – His liberation from ignorance and suffering. This event took place over 27 centuries ago on the full-moon day in the lunar month of Vesakhā, which falls between April and May in our conventional calendar.
Read moreToday marks the historical occasion where the Buddha preached the ‘Ovada Patimokkha’ – the summary of His Teachings – at the famed Veluvana Monastery in Rājagaha more than 2,600 years ago. The Buddha taught the spontaneous gathering of 1,250 Arahant bhikkhus the outline of Dhamma practice – “To abandon evil; cultivate virtues; and to purify one’s own mind”.
Read moreThe majestic ‘Nālandā Māha Vihāra’ was established during the Gupta Period in the 5th Century CE, in the city of Nalanda, where once the Buddha delivered the Kevatta Sutta and spoke about the ‘Miracle of Education’. This key learning institution was not just for Buddhist monastics, but also for students of secular subjects including medicine, mathematics and philosophy. At its peak, the university hosted over 10,000 students from all around the world, the most famous of which is Ven. Xuan Zang.
Read moreAfter the British took over the administration of Kedah in 1911, colonial surveyors were surprised to discover many remains of stone and brick temple structures in the state which showed Indian influence, dating from as early as the 5th century CE. These antiquities were scattered in an area extending from the southern foothills of Gunung Jerai (Kedah Peak) to Merbok River in Kuala Muda District. This 225 km² expanse of land is known today as the Bujang Valley – and it is by far the richest archaeological site discovered in Malaysia.
Read moreToday is the 100th birth anniversary of the late Venerable Dr. Kirinde Sri Dhammananda Nāyaka Mahā Thero (1918 – 2006), Sanghanāyaka Thera of Malaysia and Singapore, and Spiritual Adviser to Nalanda Buddhist Society. Nalandians humbly pay tribute to his immeasurable contributions to the development of Malaysian Buddhism, and his invaluable teachings for our understanding and appreciation of Buddha-Dhamma.
Read moreDr. Ranjit Singh Malhi; Source: ‘The Star’, in his Letter to the Editor.
HISTORY is a factual account of significant events in the past that have shaped present-day society and the nation. It enables us to understand how today’s society and nations evolved.
Read more8 August 2017 marks the 50th anniversary of ASEAN – the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Malaysia, along with Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines and Singapore were its founding members back in 1967. Brunei joined ASEAN after its independence in 1984, followed by Vietnam (in 1995), Laos (1997), Myanmar (1997), and Cambodia (1999).
Read moreAjahn Buddhadāsa’s philosophy, way of life, and teachings continue to have a positive influence on the development of Thai Buddhist movement.This week, we commemorate the life and teachings of one of the most notable Buddhist teachers of the 20th century – Ajahn Buddhadāsa Indapañño (Phra Dharmakosacarya) of Thailand. Ajahn Buddhadāsa was born on 27 May 1906 in Chaiya, Southern Thailand, to a Chinese Hokkien father and Thai mother. He renounced the worldly life at age 20 and led an exemplary life of an ascetic bhikkhu until his passing.
Read moreThe Buddha was distinguished as ‘the Perfect One’ – He had perfect knowledge of the world and faultless conduct. “By definition, a ‘perfectionist’ is someone who likes to accomplish something perfectly, and finds it difficult to accept anything less than flawless. No, the Buddha was not a ‘perfectionist’. He did not have any illusions about perfection. He truly understood the world and was very clear about imperfections in life.
Read moreOn 15 July 2016, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) listed the renowned ancient Buddhist university – Nalanda Mahavihara in India – as a “World Heritage Site”.
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