4 May 2013 marked the first anniversary of Nalanda's Monthly Pindacāra (alms-round) Programme at the Taman O.U.G. morning market. Devotees and volunteers gathered for the morning chanting and invocation at NEO Centre Happy Garden to calm their minds and reaffirm their wholesome aspirations before embarking for the alms-round with the venerable bhikkhus.
Read moreNalanda Buddhist Society Johor Bahru Branch achieved an important milestone on Sunday, 14 April. The inaugural meeting of the Pro-tem Committee was held under the chairmanship of Bro. Yap Chong Huat. The meeting was also attended by Honorary Secretary Sis. Buddhini Tan, representing Nalanda's Board of Management, 3 Board Members, and 4 other Nalanda officers.
Read moreIt was yet another wonderful morning when Buddhist laity in Taman O.U.G. morning market had the opportunity to offer alms-food to the venerable bhikkhus on Pindacāra. This monthly programme organised by the Nalanda Sangha Support Team continues to attract the interests and participation of the marketing crowd, as well as stall operators there. After the Pindacāra, devotees adjourned to NEO Centre in Happy Garden for a Mandarin Dhamma Talk by Bro. Aggaphala Yap. We take this opportunity to thank the venerables, all our great volunteers and the Sangha Support Team members for their monthly effort in providing this programme for the benefit of the many. Sadhu anumodana!
Read moreOver a three-day period from 26 – 28 March, Nalanda Dharma School organised a Stay-in Programme for our junior students from the Happy Garden, Kuala Lumpur (KL) branch. As part of the stay-in, the students had an outing to the KL Bird Park, lunch at Lake Gardens, and visited the Malaysian Association for the Blind (MAB).
Read moreSince 2009, there has been a significant increase in the number of outstation devotees traveling to Nalanda Centre in Sri Serdang to attend various courses and activities. Thus, at the Members’ EGM on 13 January 2013, Nalanda Buddhist Society has decided to establish full-fledged branches outside Serdang to serve our community better.
Read moreMonks going on alms-round is gradually becoming a familiar scene at the Taman O.U.G. morning market. The day dawned calm and clear, beautiful weather for the monthly Pindacāra at Taman O.U.G. morning market. We were privileged to host 38 devotees from Gandharama Vihara, Kuala Terengganu, who joined us on this meritorious occasion.
Read morePindacāra, the practice of collecting alms-food, is observed by Theravada Buddhist monks who have gone forth from ‘home-life’ to ‘homelessness’.
Read moreHaving right understanding when offering alms and performing wholesome deeds purifies our actions. On 1 September, we organised the third monthly pindacāra (alms-round) at Taman O.U.G. morning market. This time around, the public were much more aware of alms-giving; some had even prepared food in advance to offer to the monks. It was heart-warming to see that consistent efforts to organise this programme is leading to such positive responses from the public.
Read more'Pinda' in the Pāli language means “a lump of food, especially of alms”. 'Pāta' refers to “bowl” whereas 'cāra' is “to move about”. Hence 'pindapāta' is “food received in the alms-bowl (of a monk)” whereas 'pindacāra' means “going on alms-round; wandering for alms”.
Read more5 August marked the start of Children’s Dhamma Class at NEO Centre, Happy Garden. The class is aimed at giving children a good grounding in knowledge, skills, values and culture. The four Nalanda Dharma School facilitators sent to teach at NEO Centre are highly motivated. Lessons are activity-based to make them interesting and lively for the children. The children’s class is held every Sunday, from 2 – 4pm. The annual enrolment is limited to a small number of students so as to enable facilitators to maintain personal rapport with their charges. Parents who are interested to enrol children (age 10 – 12) at Nalanda may contact the School Director, Sis. Sunanda Ong at 03-8938-1501. Enrolment for next year (2013) will begin on 15 October 2012.
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