Today is World Environment Day, and time for us to reflect on what Mother Nature has been telling us for the past few months. She showed us that when humans decide to perform only their essential activities, we can live in a cleaner and less polluted Earth. When we make our lives simpler and restrain our desires, the environment worldwide immediately begins to heal.
Read moreOver 6 million people globally have been infected by the Covid-19 pandemic to-date, and more than 370,000 people have died. While many parts of the world are still in lock-down, several countries are now experiencing a decline in infections after months of combating the disease. However, even as some governments look towards easing restrictions and resuming economic activities, a few countries that had flattened the curve are reporting a second wave of infections.
Read moreThe term ‘new norm’ is the latest catchphrase around, as people come to terms with the need to turn our comfort zone inside out, to control the global Covid-19 pandemic. You may know someone who said with a heavy sigh, “Life as we know it will never be the same, the world is changing…”.
Read moreIt is with a heavy heart that we mark the passing away of Most Venerable Elgiriya Indaratana Maha Thera early this morning. He was the abbot of Mahindārama Buddhist Temple, the oldest Sri Lankan Vihāra in Penang.
Read moreIn this talk delivered in early May, Director of Nalanda Institute Achariya Tan Siang Chye explains the importance of cultivating faith, and how we can anchor our spiritual practice and progress with this essential quality.
Read moreThis weekend, Muslims worldwide celebrate ‘Aidilfitri’ which marks the end of the month-long dawn-to-dusk fasting of Ramadhan. This year, many Malaysians may not be able to gather and celebrate as usual with their elders, relatives and friends, considering the on-going prohibition on inter-state travel and the ban on having large gatherings due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Read moreA tragic air-crash took place earlier this afternoon in the suburbs of Karachi, the largest city in Pakistan. An Airbus-320 belonging to Pakistan International Airlines was flying from Lahore to Karachi when it crashed while attempting to land. The carrier reported that flight PK8303 was carrying 91 passengers and 8 crew members. Miraculously, two of the passengers survived, but at least 97 other people have been confirmed killed.
Read moreOn Wednesday 20 May, the coastal districts of West Bengal and Bangladesh suffered the wrath of ‘Cyclone Amphan’ which left a trail of destruction with thousands of people homeless. The death toll, which currently stands at 84, has been rising as search and rescue missions continue to be carried out amidst the devastation. Powerful winds and torrential rains which hit the Bay of Bengal had caused extensive damage to electricity supply, infrastructure and homes.
Read moreIn the annual Gimhāna Retreat, Nalanda members are encouraged to maintain the momentum of our spiritual experience during Buddha Day celebrations by deepening our understanding and cultivation of Dhamma. Therefore, during these seven weeks, we undertake five daily practices of:
Read moreAfter the Buddha’s Enlightenment on the full-moon day of Vesakhā month (in May), He contemplated on the Dhamma for forty-nine days in the vicinity of the Bodhi Tree. He then walked for another seven days from Uruvela to the deer park near Sarnath, where He preached the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta on Asalha Day, the full-moon in July, to His first five disciples.
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