Rehearsing the Dhamma-vinaya
The Pāli term ‘Sangāyana’ can be translated as rehearsal or communal chanting. The purpose of a Sangāyana is to accurately preserve the original teachings of the Buddha. The reciters’ duty is to rehearse, examine, and review the Canon so that no parts of which are added, omitted or altered, and any such deviations were to be rectified. Throughout history, there had been six such formal occasions where the entire Pāli Canon was rehearsed and authenticated.
Read more“Self-conquest is indeed far greater than the conquest of other people. For he who has self-mastery and is well-controlled in living, his victory cannot be overturned by others.”
Read more“Better than a thousand utterances comprising useless words, is one single beneficial saying, hearing which one feels at peace.”
Read more“Make haste in doing good; check your mind from evil; for the mind of him who is slow in doing meritorious actions, inevitably delights in evil.”
Read more“The world we have created is a product of our thinking; it cannot be changed without changing our thinking.”
Read more“Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.”
Read moreThree members of Buddhist Gem Fellowship visited Nalanda Dharma School on 29 July to gather information on starting a Dhamma class for teenagers at their new premises. Sis. Dolly Teoh, Sis. Elaine and Sis. Lau observed Dharma School facilitators conducting their lessons. They also met with students from the School's choir, Publications team, Library Club and Junior Club, who shared their views on the School’s activities with the visitors. The visitors were taken on a tour of Nalanda Centre, followed by a discussion on Buddhist education. We wish BGF all the best in their efforts to teach Dhamma to teenagers.
Read moreTranquility 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 Nalanda Annual Gimhana Dhamma Retreat. ("Gimhana", in pali means "summer" or "hot season")
Read moreThe Pāli Language was derived from a Prakrit (folks’ dialect) of Magādha in ancient India. Its grammar is similar to those of Sanskrit and Latin. Pāli was chosen as the language to rehearse and record the Buddhist teachings at the First Rehearsal (Sangāyana) in 543 BCE. Pāli is unique among languages in that it is not used for any other purpose except to record Buddhist doctrines. Thus the meanings of its words were not ‘corrupted’ by common usage or ‘evolution’ over time.
Read moreThe Buddhist Flag was first hoisted in Sri Lanka on Wesak Day (28 April) in 1885, when the country was still under colonial rule. The majority Sinhalese Buddhist population then felt discriminated against by the colonial authorities when carrying out their religious activities, as well as pressurized by relentless evangelism. The Buddhists needed an icon to peacefully rally around, and hence, the Buddhist Flag was initiated.
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