Devotees chanting the ‘Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta’ led by Bro Tan.

Report by Gan Bee Ching  |  Photographs by Gan Jia Cheng

On Sunday 13 July, more than 100 devotees gathered at Nalanda Centre to commemorate ‘Dhamma Day’.  As the day signifies the preaching of Buddha’s first discourse after his Enlightenment, Bro. Tan led devotees in reciting the famous ‘Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta’.

Thereafter, Bro. Tan gave an inspiring teaching to a large gathering at Srivijaya Seminar Hall.  He elaborated on the ‘Tamotama Sutta’ (Anguttara Nikaya 4.85) where the Buddha spoke about four kinds of persons: (1) the one heading from darkness to darkness; (2) the one heading from darkness to light; (3) the one heading from light to darkness; and (4) the one heading from light to light.

Light moments during the inspiring Dhamma talk.

Bro. Tan’s practical illustrations articulated the dangers and benefits for each kind of persons.  He also cautioned the tendency to conveniently assume that “we are ‘of course better’ than before”.  Awareness of individual cultivation can be enhanced with constant reflection on the kind of person we have been in our lives thus far, or simply to recollect from day-to-day.

Fire is lit from a spark; likewise wisdom arises with the right insight.  Thus Bro. Tan concluded with a reminder to all of us, ‘Cultivate a ‘good mind’ so that the light of wisdom shines forth from within us, to brighten the Path not just for ourselves, but for others to follow as well’.

Nalanda youths joyfully serving lunch to devotees.