On Thursday 21 April, Sis. Ruby Tan gave a sharing on the purpose and benefits of visiting a Buddhist centre in conjunction with the Full-moon Uposatha Service at Nalanda Centre. She explained that although people go to temples for various purposes, a knowledgeable devotee may visit a centre or temple for the following reasons:
Read moreOn Sunday 17 April, Sister Buddhini Tan gave a talk on ‘Going for Refuge’ to participants of BPS 033 ‘Buddhist Practice & Devotion’ course. Sis. Buddhini explained that the practice of ‘Going for Refuge’ existed even before the Buddha’s time. It was customary for a follower to proclaim his or her faith in the teacher or a higher power.
Read moreToday marks the first anniversary of the destructive earthquake which devastated many parts of Nepal on 25 April 2015. More than 8,000 people were killed throughout the country, plus a hundred others in neighbouring India, Tibet and Bangladesh. Let us spare some time to think about the victims of the earthquake and their loved ones. Reflect also on the impermanence and uncertainty of life. Let us live wisely and mindfully every day.
Read moreOn Sunday 17 April, two senior Theravada bhikkhus from Nepal visited Nalanda Centre for a familiarisation tour. Venerables Kolita Thera and Saddhatissa Thera were warmly received by Society President Sis. Evelyn Chow together with other senior officers.
Read moreOn Sunday 17 April, the Superintendent of Dharma Drum Malaysia, Venerable Bhikshuni Chang Zao (常藻法师), was invited to Nalanda to give a Mandarin Dhamma talk on ‘Correct Practices & Devotion’ for Buddhists (“正信的佛教是什么?”). She highlighted the essential teachings of Buddhism, and how it spread throughout the world.
Read moreOn Sunday 17 April, Nalanda founder Bro. Tan led a special service in memory of Sayādaw U Panditābhivamsa, who passed away a day earlier. The service began at 9.00am with meditation, followed by offerings and Pāli chanting. The 300-strong congregation then listened to an insightful talk by Bro. Tan, who started by asking rhetorically, “Do kings have suffering?”
Read moreExactly one month from today, we will be celebrating the Wesak Full-moon “Buddha Day”. Nalanda Buddhist Society together with Bandar Utama Buddhist Society (BUBS) are planning to reprint a wonderful Dhamma book – “Without and Within: Questions and Answers on the Teachings of Theravāda Buddhism” – for free distribution this May in conjunction with Wesak.
Read moreOn Saturday 16 April, two venerable monks from Sentul Sri Lanka Buddhist Temple went on ‘Pindacāra’ (alms-round) at Seri Kembangan market. Nalandians had arrived there earlier to prepare the venue for the monthly educational programme, and took the opportunity to greet our trader friends and devotees in the vicinity.
Read moreOn Wednesday 13 April, we were fortunate to have Venerable Ajahn Chandako leading the weekly meditation session and giving a Dhamma talk at Nalanda Centre. Ajahn Chandako hails from the Thai forest tradition of Ajahn Chah, and is the abbot of Vimutti Forest Monastery in New Zealand.
Read moreThree powerful earthquakes in the past four days struck Kyushu Island in Southern Japan and Ecuador in South America, causing serious damage and the loss of many lives. Dozens have been killed in each of the two shaken countries, with the death toll expected to rise further as search efforts continue.
Read more