On Monday 6 March, Nalanda members and volunteers warmly welcomed Ven. Dr. S. Pemaratana, Abbot of Pittsburgh Buddhist Centre, on his first trip back to Malaysia since the pandemic. The visit started with a tour around the Wisdom Park campus and an introduction to this educational facility dedicated to train Buddhist leaders and develop Dhamma teachers.
Read moreOn Wednesday 15 February, Nalanda Centre was honoured to welcome Ven. Ajahn Dhammasiha back to Nalanda Centre for a Dhamma talk. Following the evening chanting, Ajahn started by advising us to take heed when we face the realities of life – aging, sickness and death, because these are reminders to arouse urgency to progress along the spiritual journey.
Read moreOn Sunday 5 February, we were honoured to host Ven. Dr. Santacitto, from Indonesia, for a Dhamma talk during the Sunday Morning Service, on how understanding Dependant Origination (Paticca-Samuppada) can lead us to happiness and peace.
Read moreOn Sunday 15 January, over 80 Nalanda devotees and volunteers gathered for the morning service even as Lunar New Year celebrations are just around the corner. On this occasion, Datuk Charlie Chia gave a Dhamma talk on ‘Harmony and Happiness’, to help us reflect on cultivation of wholesome states of mind as we reunite with our family and friends for the festivities.
Read moreOn Saturday 17 December, Nalanda Centre was honoured to host Venerable Ajahn Kusalo for a Dhamma talk. Ajahn expounded on the pursuit of happiness, a common goal for most people. In this developing world, it is easy to fulfill our pleasures and desires but we often find that we only experience a fleeting happiness.
Read moreOn Wednesday 13 July, over 150 devotees gathered at Nalanda Centre to commemorate ‘Dhamma Day’, the sacred day honouring the preaching of the Buddha’s first discourse after his Enlightenment – the ‘Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta’. After reciting the seminal discourse together, Bro. Tan Siang Chye delivered a Dhamma talk about the journey of the Buddha in achieving Enlightenment. He shared how rare it was for a Samma-Sambuddha – a Fully Enlightened Buddha – to advent and teach the True Dhamma (Sadhamma).
Read moreOn Sunday 26 June, Nalandians gathered for ‘Samaggi Day’, which falls on the last Sunday of every month. Members and devotees were joined by Nalanda youths and Dhamma School students for the morning meditation, offerings and chanting. Sis. Buddhini Tan, President of the Society, encouraged us to pay more attention to our daily practice, so that we can stop unwholesome practices from repeating, and develop habits which are conducive to spiritual development.
Read moreIn the third Gimhāna Sunday Service on 12 June, Sis. Sandy Lim delivered a Dhamma sharing on living in harmony with our family. Harmony is the smooth and pleasant functioning together of two or more parties, resulting in not just concord, but also unity. When harmony within the family unit exists, it forms the nucleus of a peaceful community. The Buddha taught that ‘the progress of a society’ (aparihāniyā dhamma) can be measured by the ability ‘to meet together in harmony, adjourn in harmony and conduct business in harmony’ (Mahāparinibbāna Sutta, DN16).
Read moreAfter six years of unequalled ascetism, the Bodhisatta Gotama realised that Enlightenment could not be gained through extreme means. Having nourished the body sparingly, the Buddha-to-be took a seat under the large Pipal tree in Uruvela and was determined not to rise until He had attained the unshakable peace of Nibbāna.
Read moreBeing mindful and staying in the present moment is a cornerstone of Buddhist practice. Yet, we frequently find our thoughts wandering off due to external stimuli of all kinds and proliferation of thoughts. This inability to focus results in a mind that is not calm, serene and concentrated. The distracted mind also drains our energy level and hinders our spiritual progress.
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