On Saturday 7 May, a large contingent of 55 members, volunteer teachers and Dhamma School students from Seck Kia Eenh (SKE) Temple (or formally known as Malacca Buddhist Association) came to Nalanda Centre for a visit. The group was on a one-day tour of several Buddhist centres in the Klang Valley, led by the temple’s Deputy President, Associate Professor Tan Kim See.
Read moreEgyptAir flight MS 804 enroute from Paris to Cairo has reportedly gone missing over Northern Africa since early this morning. The plane went off the radar at around 6.45am Malaysian time. Let us pray that the 69 passengers and crew on board EgyptAir Airbus 320 are safely found. Sotthi.
Read moreWarmest greetings of mettā! Nalanda Centre is observing this weekend’s auspicious ‘Buddha Day’ with three days of meaningful educational and spiritual programmes – comprising Dhamma teachings, sutta studies, meditation, an exhibition, and guided tours of the Centre with learning stations. There will also be daily alms-giving to monks, blood donation, organ-donation campaign, and the iconic Sri Serdang ‘Heritage Procession’ – a truly awesome and unique cultural experience.
Read moreWesak ‘Buddha Day’ commemorates the profound event of Buddha’s ‘Enlightenment’ – in other words, His complete realisation of truth and liberation from suffering. The path towards ‘Enlightenment’ begins with learning and practising Dhamma. Thus, we should prioritise spiritual cultivation over rituals in observing Wesak Day.
Read moreAuthorities in Thailand today took the drastic action of closing a popular island in the Andaman Sea to tourists. Known for its pristine beaches and fabulous diving, Koh Tachai is part of the Similan Archipelago not far from Phuket. It has been designated a national park. Below is a citation from a CNN news article:
Read moreIn archaeology, every brick or stone seems to tell a story. And so it was when well-known Nepali archaeologist Dr. Basanta Bidari took to the podium and delivered a special lecture at Nalanda Centre on Thursday, 5 May. Dr. Basanta shared his recent discoveries in the last two years at the ancient site of Kapilavatthu – the hometown of Siddhatha Gotama, who later became the Buddha.
Read moreToday, we again celebrate Teacher’s Day in Malaysia. For the development of a happy community and successful nation, good teachers are truly indispensable. They are the ones who can directly shape the culture and attitude of future citizens.
Read moreOn Thursday 28 April, the Universiti Putra Malaysia Buddhist Society (PBUPM) meditation course came to a close for this semester. With the upcoming university examinations and long holidays after that, the weekly meditation sessions will only resume when school reopens in August.
Read moreNalandians who attended the welcoming ceremony for the arrival of the Bamiyan Gandhāri manuscripts to Malaysia on 2 May also took the opportunity to visit another exposition held at the same venue. The “Awakening Force” exhibition is being held at Samadhi Vihara Shah Alam in conjunction with this Wesak month. The exhibition is organized by the Buddhist Missionary Society of Malaysia (BMSM), and will run until Wesak ‘Buddha Day’.
Read moreOn Monday 2 May, Malaysian Buddhists had a rare glimpse of the Norwegian Schøyen collection of Gandhāri texts from Bamiyan. The world-famous collection was on a special exhibition tour of ASEAN countries, facilitated by the international affairs department of the Sangha Council of Thailand. The Malaysian leg was hosted at the Samadhi Vihara in Shah Alam.
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