Prioritise education over rituals on Wesak

Prioritise education over rituals on Wesak

The Nalandian team at the Shah Alam exhibition on 2 May.

The Nalandian team at the exhibition, together with the President of the Theravada Council of Malaysia, Bro. Chim Siew Choon (standing next to Bro. Tan).

Nalandians who attended the welcoming ceremony for the arrival of the Bamiyan Gandhāri manuscripts to Malaysia on 2 May also took the opportunity to visit another exposition held at the same venue.  The “Awakening Force” exhibition is being held at Samadhi Vihara Shah Alam in conjunction with this Wesak month.  The exhibition is organized by the Buddhist Missionary Society of Malaysia (BMSM), and will run until Wesak ‘Buddha Day’.

Blessing the exhibition before entering.

Nalandians paying respects and offering blessings before visiting the exhibition.

Nalanda founder Bro. Tan praised the organising of this exhibition, which covers the life of the Buddha, a brief history of early Buddhism, and basic Buddhist doctrines.  Bro. Tan has long urged Buddhist centres to organise educational programmes on Wesak ‘Buddha Day’, instead of emphasizing so much on rituals and non-spiritual activities.

Meeting with organisers of the exhibition.

Bro. Tan, President Sis Evelyn, and Honorary Secretary Bro. Pee meeting with the organisers and volunteers of the exhibition.

“It is important to arrange good programmes on Wesak Day for the public to learn about the Buddha’s teachings.  We must focus on educating our own community so that Buddhists can appreciate the great wisdom and practicality of Dhamma,” said Bro Tan.

Spending time at the exposition.

Nalandians spending time at the exposition looking at various displays and installations.

Nalanda President and Honorary Secretary also joined Bro. Tan and other officers in visiting the exposition.  They spent almost an hour looking at the displays and chatting with the organisers there. Sadhu anumodana to the BMSM team who put up this Wesak exhibition.

Nalanda officers paying respect to Ven. Mahinda.

Nalanda officers paying a courtesy call on Ven. Mahinda Thera, Abbot of Samadhi Vihara.

Nalandians with BMSM leaders.

Bro. Tan and Nalanda Secretary Bro. Pee (right) being welcomed by BMSM President Sis. Loh Pai Ling, and its Honorary Secretary Bro. Pang (in yellow t-shirt).

NOTE:

Nalanda Centre Sri Serdang will be hosting an exhibition in conjunction with ‘Buddha Day’, on 21 and 22 May.  It is titled, “A Beacon of Dhamma”.
NEO Centre Johor Bahru will hold a photography exhibition themed “Unity and Harmony”, also on 21 and 22 May.  All are welcome.