With faith and reverence, the congregation paid respects to the Three Jewels, and chanted spiritedly in the morning service.

On Sunday 29 May, Nalanda members and volunteers entered into the Gimhāna Period as they gathered for its first Sunday Morning Service.  After the morning meditation, offerings and chanting, an appreciation session for Buddha Day volunteers was held, where everyone rejoiced in the selfless efforts of all who contributed to the joyous celebrations held the week before.

Thereafter, Sis. Paruadi Ramasamy delivered a talk on the purpose of this 7-week Gimhāna ‘retreat’, that of reflecting on Dhamma and strengthening our spiritual practice which develops into wholesome life-long habits.

Representatives from Dhamma School and Nalanda Youths offering flowers and fruits at the altar, with reverence to the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha.

Sis. Buddhini Tan, President of the Society, expressed her gratitude for the active participation and support of so many people in the Buddha Day observance, and also now, as Gimhāna Period begins.

Sis. Livin Leow, Chairperson of Buddha Day Organising Committee thanked all members, devotees and volunteers for working together harmoniously and selflessly during the observance.

In appreciation of the Buddha Day volunteers, Nalanda youths shared a touching rendition of the song ‘Semoga Semua Hidup Berbahagia’.

Sis. Paru shared that we should not just observe this period as an event.  Instead, we should be energetic, determined and disciplined in exerting efforts to carry out the Five Daily Practices (find out more by clicking here).  To arouse this sense of urgency, Sis. Paru quoted the Buddha’s advice in the Dvejana Sutta (AN3.51 – 3.52), that is “… for one swept on by ageing, no shelters exist. Keeping sight of this danger in death, do meritorious deeds that bring bliss.”

During this Gimhāna Period, the theme of ‘Living in Harmony’ will be further explored in the weekly Sunday Morning Service. As you intensify your Dhamma practice, may your meritorious actions be a condition for your attainment of freedom from suffering. We wish you a fruitful and joyful retreat.

Sis. Paru reminded us that we can be easily distracted by worldly pleasures, hence we need to put in effort to realise the sublime Dhamma that we are fortunate enough to learn in this life.

After the Dhamma sharing, discussion groups were formed to share key takeaways and commitment for Gimhāna.