Building a strong community

Building a strong community

Bro. Choong Li leading the chanting at the Members' Day meeting.

Bro. Choong Li leading the chanting at the Members’ Day meeting.

On Saturday 9 April, Nalandians from the Klang Valley gathered for their monthly Members’ Day meeting to deliberate and discuss on matters involving the Society.  During the gathering, Nalanda founder Bro. Tan shared about the Buddha’s teaching to Venerable Ananda in the Mahāparinibbāna Sutta (DN 16) on the conditions which would contribute to the progress of a community.

For a community to thrive, he said it was necessary for its members to meet regularly and harmoniously with open hearts and minds, and maintain genuine friendliness towards each other.  It was also important for its members to develop spiritual closeness and community spirit by applying the Dhamma in their daily lives.

Bro. Tan giving a sharing on how to build and preserve a strong community.

Bro. Tan giving a sharing on how to build and preserve a strong community.

Meanwhile, members were reminded to beware of the arising of pride (Māna), which is the opposite of humility.  Pride, arrogance and conceit are destructive behaviours which would contribute to the undoing of a community.  To maintain the spirit of Sāmaggī in a group, its members had to act with humility, compassion, and loving kindness towards each other.

We thank Bro. Tan for his Dhamma talk and all Nalandians who have contributed towards the welfare of the larger community.  Sadhu anumodana.

Bro. Pee giving an update on the Society's projects.

Honorary Secretary Bro. Pee giving an update on the Society’s projects.

Sis. Paru giving an update on the 'Dhamma Family' implementation.

Sis. Paru giving an update on the ‘Dhamma Family’ implementation.