Beginning the day after the full-moon of Asalha month (around July every year), Theravada Buddhist monks are required to observe Vassana or ‘Rains Retreat’ for a duration of 3 months. The Vassana period from July-August to October-November corresponds with the monsoon season in South and Southeast Asia (which were historically Buddhist strongholds), thus making traveling very difficult and even dangerous. Monks and nuns were often invited by Buddhist communities to reside in village Aramas (monasteries and nunneries) for the duration of the ‘rains’.
Read moreAfter 3-weeks sojourning at Nalanda House, Venerable Guttacitta left this morning to return to Bagan Serai. Ven. Guttacitta will be observing the Vassana (Rains Retreat) in Perak, starting on 3 August. Many Nalandians were on hand to bid farewell to the venerable at noon, after the customary request for forgiveness and blessings. We wish Ven. Guttacitta good health and much peace. We would also like to thank all Nalandians and devotees who have kindly and generously provided food, transport and other forms of dāna to the venerable during his sojourn. May your goodness lead you to greater joy and peace. Sadhu anumodana!
Read more20 – 22 July
Over 3 days, Bro. Tan was invited by Gandhārama Vihāra to conduct a commentarial course on the Karaniya Mettā Sutta in Terengganu. The workshop was held at the beautiful Kenyir Lake Resort amidst peaceful surroundings. In a series of 7 talks, Bro. Tan inspired the more than 40 participants with insightful teachings and gladdened everyone’s heart with Dhamma!
Read moreSynopsis Kamma and the End of Kamma is a written discourse on the diversity of kamma, how kamma came to be and how to create kamma to end the existing kamma that we have in our current lives now. In this book every known kamma in the Buddhist teachings are being investigated, its nature explained and the ways to overcome them are being taught to all readers who wish to learn more, understand more and to create kamma to end kamma. Included in this book are simple meditation manuals to further assist readers to further benefit from this discourse.
Read moreWalking meditation with mindful movements and an observing mind The main aim of Buddhist meditation is to purify the mind of unwholesome tendencies. When the roots of greed, hatred and delusion are removed, the mind is freed from suffering.
Read moreFresh from visits to Java and North Sulawesi, the indefatigable Bro.Tan has again embarked on another 5-day Dhammaduta Tour to Terengganu upon the invitation of Gandharama Vihara and the Terengganu Buddhist Association, from 19 to 23 July.
Bro.Tan was accompanied by Bro. Charlie Teng and Bro. Willie Cheah. En route, Bro.Tan visited the Pahang Buddhist Association and Kuantan Buddhist Association. They were warmly received by the local Buddhist leaders and briefed on the activities and development of Buddha-Sasana in Pahang.
Nalanda Free School is organising the above two examination preparation seminars to benefit students facing UPSR and PMR soon. Participation in the seminars is free. Look for details on the above poster.
Read moreSynopsis The book contains a wonderful collection of short and illuminating essays which serve as reflections on how we see ourselves and the world. Plucking from the supreme wisdom of the Buddha, the author wrote about the relations between the human conditions and the radical psychological insights of the Buddha. Among the topics included are ‘Understanding the Bigger Picture”, ‘Caring for the World’, ‘Constructing Reality’, ‘Understanding the Teachings’, ‘The Emergence of Mindfulness’, etc. By reading the book, one will gain deeper understanding of the Dhamma as experiential tools for exploring the inner world.
Read moreThree years ago, the Buddhist community leaders from Manado, North Sulawesi invited Bro.Tan to visit and give Dhamma talks there. Given his busy schedule, it has taken that long to finally fulfill the promise. But in the words of Manado devotees, “it was well worth the long wait”!
Read moreThe greatest of all gains is health, Nibbana is the greatest bliss. The Eightfold Path is the best of paths, For it leads safely to the Deathless. MN 75 : Magandiya Sutta
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