Nalanda

22 August 2020

Humility opens our minds

The cultivation of humility purifies the mind of pride and ego. Some may deem this as a weakness because we have been socially conditioned to compete for achievements and success. However, those who truly understand humility know it leads to a more fulfilling life blessed with serenity within and harmony with others.
In Pāli, ‘nivato’ translates literally to ‘without air’. It implies the qualities of being grounded, modest, and not inflating the ‘self’.  Humble people are gentle and well-loved because they are genuinely respectful of all beings. By being open to advice and criticism, we are able to let go of our arrogance and we can face our limitations and pursue better ways to improve ourselves.

 

Read more
15 August 2020

Tearing down our boundaries

‘Metta’ is a mental state of unconditional love and friendliness towards all beings.  This noble virtue could be a lofty goal for many because we may even struggle to have loving-kindness for those close to us such as our family members, friends and colleagues.  Out of habit, our thoughts and reactions are tainted with unpleasant or discriminating views of others.

Read more
9 August 2020

Singapore’s National Day

Today marks the Republic of Singapore’s 55th National Day as the nation comes together to celebrate and promote the wholesome qualities of compassion and kindness amidst adversity.  On this special occasion, Nalandians would like to wish our Singaporean friends a joyous celebration of their National Day with unity and harmony.  Happy National Day!

Read more
6 August 2020

Freedom from attachment

As the world grapples with the global pandemic, it is heart-warming to see many rallying together to help others in need.  In various capacities, some provide food and necessities to those whose livelihoods have been devastated, while some sew protective garments for frontline workers.  When we give without any expectations or reservations, we develop a mental state of relinquishment called ‘cāga’ in Pāli.

Read more
28 July 2020

It is our duty to keep others safe

In just the last 4 weeks, another 6.7 million people have been infected by Covid-19 worldwide bringing the total number of infections to 16.7 million.  Over 650,000 of those infected have succumbed to the virus, and more than 66,000 are in critical condition.  The numbers are staggering and yet the peak is likely not over, according to experts.

Read more
24 July 2020

Our waste is weighing down the world

Most of us are privileged to live a life in which our daily requirements such as food, clothing and entertainment are easily accessed.  Globally, this trend of consumption is increasing partly driven by the convenience that plastic packaging affords us.  Never before have so many products been individually packed for our ease of use; it has become the norm even when we are not on-the-go.

Read more
17 July 2020

6th Anniversary of MH17 tragedy

Today marks the 6th anniversary of the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 which was enroute to Kuala Lumpur from Amsterdam.  Three hours after taking off from Schipol Airport, the Boeing 777 was shot down over Eastern Ukraine and all 298 lives on board were lost.

Read more
15 July 2020

Gratitude changes our attitude in life

Every day, we experience a myriad of emotions and endless thoughts.  Fleeting moments of happiness may be replaced with annoyance, anger or anxiety as we react to events unfolding around us.  By being aware of negative feelings and their impact on our outlook in life, we can change our attitude by cultivating gratitude which brings with it contentment, peace and joy.

Read more
10 July 2020

Reflection connects learning to life

Reflection is a process for us to connect the Dhamma with what we hear, see and experience.  Connecting what we have learnt to life’s experiences gives us deeper insights which transforms our perspectives towards these experiences and life itself.

Read more
7 July 2020

Learning and growing with our children

Being a father or mother is a rewarding life experience which comes with a heavy responsibility towards our children.  When a child is born, we tend to his or her every need and comfort.  As they grow up, we need to mature with them by developing our skills to be their teacher, mentor and supporter.

Read more