Gimhana

The following is a summary of Bro. Tan’s teaching on 10 June 2012, the Fourth Gimhana Sunday at Nalanda.

The following is a summary of Bro. Tan’s teaching on Gimhana Sunday, 3 June 2012

Attadīpa vihāratha attapatisarana
nāñña patisarana
Dhammadīpa vihāratha dhammapatisarana
nāñña patisarana

“Dwell with oneself as an island, be your own refuge,
with no external refuge.
“Dwell with the Dhamma as an island, Dhamma as your refuge;
have no other refuge.”

Mahaparinibbāna Sutta (DN 16)

Well-guided by the Dhamma, we carry its light within us into every moment, any situation – we are upright, serene and compassionately wise.  This is what it means to be a Noble One (Ariya).  As Buddhists, this is our mission.  In order to evolve spiritually, we must follow through our vision with right action.  Every day, wherever we are, whatever we are doing, we continuously practise non-grasping, radiate loving-kindness and accomplish wholesome deeds.  In every scenario, we can conscientiously choose happiness (sukha) over suffering (dukkha).  Rather than “I Can’t!”, choose to believe “I Can!” and practise “I Will!” instead.  In this way, we gradually transform to be better, calmer and free. Read more

30 May 2012

The following are teachings of Bro. Tan on 27 May 2012, the Second Gimhana Sunday, written by a devotee. 

The following is a summary of Bro. Tan’s teaching on 20 May 2012, the first day of Nalanda Gimhana Retreat.

“Better than a hundred years lived unwisely and indolently, is one day spent in earnest, energetic effort.”
Dhammapada Verse 112

Tranquility permeated the Shrine Hall as devotees sat in silent meditation, calming the mind, absorbing the surrounding aura of peace.  It was the start of the Gimhana Dhamma Retreat at Nalanda.  (Gimhana, in Pali, means “summer” or “hot season”, whereas Vassana is the rainy season in India.)

For seven weeks after the Buddha’s Enlightenment, He contemplated on the Dhamma with His perfectly clear faculty of comprehension.  Then, He travelled for seven days from Bodhgaya to Sarnath, where He preached the First Sermon (Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta) to the Five Ascetics in Deer Park on Asalha Day, two full moons after His Enlightenment.  So it is for seven weeks after Wesak Day that Nalandians are coming together to “mengenali diri” – know ourselves – and “mendalami Dharma”, deepen our understanding of the Dhamma, with the retreat culminating on Asalha full-moon day (3 July). Read more