Pertaining to the annual Nalandian Gimhana Retreat. Any report, news or notice concerning this programme should be tagged.
‘Happiness’ is but a fleeting emotion that lasts for just a short time, before it is displaced by other feelings. ‘Unhappiness’ on the other hand, can last for days or even years, because it can transmute into many forms – be it disappointment, jealousy or anger. Unhappiness is not so much the opposite of happiness, rather it is the absence of happiness.
Read moreIt was the second group meditation of the Gimhana Retreat on Wednesday, 19 June. Following the 45-minute quiet sitting, Bro. Tan quoted Sutta 4.110 from the Anguttara Nikaya on the four kinds of vipers (poisonous snakes), which are comparable to four kinds of persons:
Read moreThe second Service Sunday of the Gimhana period was held on 16 June. It was heartening to hear personal sharings from Sis. Margaret Ng, Sis. Buddhini Tan and Bro. Lee Teck Beng, who shared how the Buddha-Dhamma has impacted their lives, and how thankful they are for the opportunity to learn Dhamma and to serve the community.
Read moreOn Wednesday, 12 June, devotees once again filled the Shrine Hall at Nalanda Centre for the first group meditation of Gimhana Retreat. Bro. Tan guided everyone in loving-kindness meditation, followed by a quiet sitting as we observed our breath mindfully. Despite the day’s hustle and bustle, most meditators experienced a sense of peace after the 45 minute session.
Read moreEveryone was all-ears as Bro. Tan shared the interesting and insightful story about the snake. As it was shedding its skin, this 12-feet long King Cobra snake was very distressed and undergoing a big change. Half-blind, mad with discomfort, and in the heat of the high noon sun, it crossed the hot tar road not once or twice, but three times. This was the sight that Bro. Tan came across one day on the road.
Read moreFor seven weeks after the Buddha’s Enlightenment on Wesak full-moon in May, 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 Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta on the Asalha full-moon (Dhamma Day) in July.
Read moreNalanda organizes 3 special retreats annually – the ‘Hemanta’ in January, ‘Gimhana’ in June-July, and ‘Vassana’ in October-November. Each of these 3 retreats focuses on different aspects of personal, communal and spiritual growth.
Read moreThe following are Bro. Tan’s teachings on 17 June 2012, the Fifth Gimhāna Sunday, summarised by Sis. Faith Teh.
Read moreAsalha Full-moon Day falls exactly 2 months after Wesak Day. It marks the three important events in the history of Buddhism – the day Buddha Gotama was conceived; the day He renounced worldly life to become an ascetic; and the day He first preached the Dhamma as the Enlightened Teacher.
Read moreBefore the self-practice group sitting meditation, we reaffirm our faith in the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha. With understanding and devotion, we pay homage to our Teacher, the Enlightened and Blessed One, take the Three Refuges and observe the Five Precepts.
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