It has been quite hot these two months in Kedah. But the hot and dry weather has brought tecoma trees (tabebuia rosea) planted along roads in Alor Setar into lovely bloom of pink and white flowers!
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On Wednesday 6 April, at Nalanda’s weekly group meditation, Sis. Buddhini shared about the importance of mental preparation before meditation. She explained that it was important for us to be aware of the causes and conditions that disturb us before we can settle our minds and be concentrated.
Read moreGood news for Nalanda members and long-term volunteers! This December, Nalanda is organizing a pilgrimage to India and Nepal, to be led by our founder-teacher, Bro Tan. This journey of Dhamma discovery will begin at Bodhgaya – the sacred spot where the Buddha attained Enlightenment 2,640 years ago – and continue on to Rajagaha, Nalanda, Vesali, Kusinara, Lumbini, Kapilavatthu, and Varanasi.
Read moreOn Sunday 3 April, Sis. Sunanda gave a sharing on the ‘Dhammapada’ for our daily reflection. She quoted the popular twin verses: “In the unessential they imagine the essential, in the essential they see the unessential ̶ they who entertain (such) wrong thoughts never realise the essence.”
Read moreOn Saturday 2 April, two venerable monks went on Pindacāra (alms-round) at Overseas Union Garden (O.U.G.) and Happy Garden morning markets. It was the first time in many months that the Pindacāra programme was held at O.U.G. and the response there was very heartening.
Read moreOn Sunday 27 March, Nalanda Youth Centre organised its first recycling project to help raise funds for Kitarsh Handicapped and Disabled Children’s Home. The home was in need of funds because it was partly destroyed by fire last year.
Read moreAlthough ‘Cheng Beng’ (or ‘Qing Ming’, 清明节) was not originally a Buddhist tradition, it has nevertheless been observed by Chinese Buddhists for centuries. The Buddha taught that our duties towards parents and relatives do not end with their death. After their demise, we should continue to honour them by performing wholesome, meritorious and noble deeds, and thereafter dedicate merits to them.
Read moreNalanda founder Bro. Tan has called for a leadership conference involving all central and branch leaders next month to discuss the future development of Nalanda branches. In a meeting with the Board of Management (BoM) in Sri Serdang tonight, Bro. Tan said that branch centres can play a more proactive and effective role in promoting holistic Buddhist education to their local communities.
Read moreOn Sunday 27 March, Sis. Paru conducted the first of six modules of BPS 033 ‘Buddhist Devotional Practice’ course, where she touched on the topic of ‘What is Buddhism?’ and ‘The Three Jewels’. She explained that the coined English term ‘Buddhism’ refers to the religious tenets and practices centred upon the Buddha’s teachings. When Buddhism spread to other parts of the world, it took on different forms due to the influence of local beliefs and culture of the indigenous peoples.
Read moreOn Sunday 27 March, Sis. Joyce gave a sharing on the spirit of Sāmaggī, explaining that it is the spirit of harmony, peaceful co-existence, and having inner tranquility. When there is harmony in the community, there will be goodwill and peace, and the community will prosper and be strong.
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