On Thursday 3 March, the Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) Buddhist Society held its first weekly group meditation for the new semester at Nalanda Centre. It was led by Venerable Chi Xiang (持向法师), who also gave the undergraduates a Dhamma talk. The session was well attended and the undergraduates were pleased to resume their regular group sitting after the break.
Read moreOn Sunday 28 February, Ven. Ariyadeva Māha Thero, together with Ven. Swarnajothi and Ven. Wineetha, came to Nalanda Centre for a visit and meeting with founder Bro Tan. The venerable monks were warmly received by Nalandians, and Nalanda Buddhist Society Deputy President Bro. Charlie Teng brought them on a tour of the Centre.
Read moreOn Sunday February 28, Achariya Tan Siang Chye gave a Dhamma talk on living in accordance with the Dhamma. He explained that the root word of ‘Dhamma’ in Pāli, and ‘Dharma’ in Sanskrit’ is ‘dhṛ’ which means ‘to hold up or maintain’; while the Buddhist meaning of Dhamma is the teachings of the Buddha. Hence, when we live the Dhamma, it is to hold us up, and stop us from falling into the woeful states of existence, and to fulfill our potential for Nibbāna.
Read moreOn Saturday 27 February, a team of 10 Nalandians comprising President Sis. Evelyn, Dhamma School Director Sis. Sunanda, Sis. Joanne, and youths helped to pack food for the needy at Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) Sungai Long campus. The event was organised by the UTAR Sungai Long Buddhist Society, in collaboration with the international hunger-relief organisation, ‘Stop Hunger Now’.
Read moreOn Sunday 28 February, Nalanda founder Bro. Tan shared with us the spirit of ‘Sāmaggī’, which means harmony, peaceful coexistence, and inner tranquility when living with other people. Real ‘Sāmaggī’ can be achieved by noble beings, but is difficult for those without the nobility of mind. When the mind is tranquil, one will experience peace and harmony wherever one lives. A mind that is not peaceful can be easily agitated.
Read moreThe Wisdom Park Development Committee (WPDC) held its 6th meeting on 18 February to continue discussions on the Master Plan for the entire facility. The Committee wants to ensure optimal land-use while maintaining a sense of spaciousness in ‘Wisdom Park’. Native forest trees will be planted throughout the educational facility to create micro-biospheres that are cooling and soothing.
Read moreOn Sunday 21 February, after Nalanda Dhamma School’s annual ‘tea ceremony’, a group of facilitators gathered for a meeting with Nalanda founder Bro. H. S. Tan. In his sharing, Bro. Tan reminded the facilitators that in their noble effort to conduct the school’s sessions, they should always keep in mind to achieve the “best outcome” and not just produce the “highest output”.
Read moreOn Monday 22 February, a group of scholarly Sangha members came for a familiarization visit to Nalanda Centre. The monks are among the best throughout Sri Lanka in Pāli, Sanskrit and Sinhalese languages, having excelled in national Buddhist exams and obtained the first three places in those subjects.
Read moreIt’s that time of the year for Nalanda members to fulfill our constitutional duties again. Nalanda Buddhist Society Malaysia will be holding our Annual General Meetings for 2016 early next month. Kicking off the series of AGMs next weekend will be Nalanda branches in Sungai Petani, Kuala Lumpur and Johor Bahru, followed by the Serdang headquarters in the following weekend.
Read moreOn Saturday 20 February, three venerable monks from Sentul Sri Lanka Buddhist Temple went on Pindacāra (alms-round) at Seri Kembangan morning market. Nalanda volunteers arrived early to prepare for the Pindacāra and set up an information counter. Their activity aroused much interest among the passers-by who wanted to know more about the significance of Pindacāra.
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