Nalanda Buddhist Society

6 April 2016

Special Pilgrimage for Nalandians

Good news for Nalanda members and long-term volunteers!  This December, Nalanda is organizing a pilgrimage to India and Nepal, to be led by our founder-teacher, Bro Tan.  This journey of Dhamma discovery will begin at Bodhgaya – the sacred spot where the Buddha attained Enlightenment 2,640 years ago – and continue on to Rajagaha, Nalanda, Vesali, Kusinara, Lumbini, Kapilavatthu, and Varanasi.

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5 April 2016

Prioritising Dhamma practice

On Sunday 3 April, Sis. Sunanda gave a sharing on the ‘Dhammapada’ for our daily reflection.  She quoted the popular twin verses: “In the unessential they imagine the essential, in the essential they see the unessential  ̶  they who entertain (such) wrong thoughts never realise the essence.”

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31 March 2016

Observing ‘Cheng Beng’ meritoriously

Although ‘Cheng Beng’ (or ‘Qing Ming’, 清明节) was not originally a Buddhist tradition, it has nevertheless  been observed by Chinese Buddhists for centuries.  The Buddha taught that our duties towards parents and relatives do not end with their death.  After their demise, we should continue to honour them by performing wholesome, meritorious and noble deeds, and thereafter dedicate merits to them.

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30 March 2016

Leadership conference next month

Nalanda founder Bro. Tan has called for a leadership conference involving all central and branch leaders next month to discuss the future development of Nalanda branches.  In a meeting with the Board of Management (BoM) in Sri Serdang tonight, Bro. Tan said that branch centres can play a more proactive and effective role in promoting holistic Buddhist education to their local communities.

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29 March 2016

‘Buddhism’ explained in beginning of course

On Sunday 27 March, Sis. Paru conducted the first of six modules of BPS 033 ‘Buddhist Devotional Practice’ course, where she touched on the topic of ‘What is Buddhism?’ and ‘The Three Jewels’.  She explained that the coined English term ‘Buddhism’ refers to the religious tenets and practices centred upon the Buddha’s teachings.  When Buddhism spread to other parts of the world, it took on different forms due to the influence of local beliefs and culture of the indigenous peoples.

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28 March 2016

Harmony and peaceful co-existence

On Sunday 27 March, Sis. Joyce gave a sharing on the spirit of Sāmaggī, explaining that it is the spirit of harmony, peaceful co-existence, and having inner tranquility.  When there is harmony in the community, there will be goodwill and peace, and the community will prosper and be strong.

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26 March 2016

Story about two kinds of ‘search’

On Wednesday 23 March, Bro. Tan gave a teaching during the Full-moon Uposatha Service.  He told a story about the two kinds of search – the ‘noble search’ and the ‘ignoble search’.  At the time of the Buddha, a group of youths had gone to amuse themselves in a park; and while they were immersed in play, thieves absconded with their valuables.  The youths, realising that their valuables had been stolen, went all over the place in search of those thieves.

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25 March 2016

Elective programmes a boost to learning

During the recent Dhamma Living Camp 2016, there were four ‘elective’ sessions where participants could choose to participate in – ‘Meditation for Absolute Beginners’, ‘Learning and Reflecting on Gathas’, ‘Spiritual Reflection’, or ‘Yoga – Basic stretching techniques’.

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24 March 2016

‘Life-changing’ experience at camp

The Dhamma Living Camp 2016 held over last weekend was a joyous and truly inspiring event which touched the hearts of all its participants.  Many even described their experience as ‘life-changing’, and were determined to establish a habit of daily spiritual practice in line with the Buddha’s teachings.

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23 March 2016

Denounce terrorism, but not with hatred

“Months ago they struck Paris… and now, Brussels.  Those terrorists perform murderous acts to put fear and hate into our minds.  They want to disrupt our peaceful and productive lives.  Such acts of terrorism should be censured and denounced, no question about that.  But we should not give in to hatred (towards the terrorists).  It is easy to hate people who want to harm and kill the innocent; but please don’t give in to that.

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