On 28 November, family and friends gathered online for the Sangha Day B.E. 2565 Observance featuring a special interview with Venerable Ajahn Jayasaro. In this second of a two-part programme, we were honoured to host Ajahn and seek his advice on how we can face current trends which may impact our Dhamma practice and ways to anchor ourselves in our spiritual journey.
Read moreIn the journey of a Buddhist practitioner, we face many ups and downs in our faith and confidence. We are sometimes fired up and inspired to attain liberation, whilst at other times our confidence wanes. How do we become true disciples of the Buddha and gather the strength and wisdom to maintain confidence to advance along this spiritual path? In this special interview with Āyasmā Aggacitta Mahāthera, held in in conjunction with Sangha Day B.E. 2565 Observance on Sunday 21 November, we learned about how we can maintain our confidence to advance along this spiritual path even amidst today’s challenges.
Read more‘Sangha Day’ is an important occasion at Nalanda for the lay community to honour the virtues and contributions of the Māha Sangha (monastic order) in preserving and propagating Buddhism. Apart from offerings of robes and requisites, let us take heed of the Buddha’s teaching that the best way to venerate our teachers is by learning, reflecting, and improve upon ourselves in accordance to Dhamma.
Read moreBeing kind costs us nothing, but can give us the gains of lightness and happiness Today is World Kindness Day, a time to celebrate this defining quality of our humanity. In the era of the Covid-19 pandemic, random acts of kindness may have become more scarce or maybe more difficult as physical distancing and masked faces define the ‘new norm’. We must be wary that we do not unintentionally alienate care for each other in lieu of ‘safety’, and diminish our compassion.
Read moreToday, Hindu communities all around the world celebrate the festival of lights – ‘Diwali’ (or ‘Deepavali’ in Malaysia). Symbolic of the triumph of good over evil and the victory of knowledge over ignorance, lights are used as a means to disperse darkness in the colourful festivities.
Read moreNalanda members and devotees would like to felicitate and pay tribute to Most Venerable Sri Saranankara Adhikarana Nāyaka Thero on his 68th birthday, today. Ven. Saranankara has dedicated almost four decades of his life to selfless service to the Buddhist community in Malaysia, providing counsel and support to monks and laity alike.
Read moreIt has been announced that 90% of the Malaysia adult population have now been fully vaccinated against Covid-19. The daily infection numbers have also started to drop in the past weeks and vaccinations are now being administered for teenagers ages 12 to 17. We have also reached a milestone for the lifting of travel restrictions cross-states today, allowing many Malaysians to visit their family or go on holidays.
Read moreOn World Mental Health Day this year, the looming shadow of Covid-19 continues to trigger factors leading to mental suffering and illness such as the demise of loved ones, threat of new virus variants, loss of jobs and income, prolonged financial distress and family issues arising from long isolation. Stress is also faced by medical frontliners who experience exhaustion and even severe burnout from long working hours.
Read moreToday is the 8th anniversary of the passing of eminent Tipitaka and Pāli Scholar, Venerable Kakkapalliye Anuruddha Nayaka Thero, and renowned meditation teacher, Acharya Satya Narayan Goenka. Nalandians pay humble tribute to them for their significant contributions towards the propagation of Buddha-Sāsana, and humanity. May both respected teachers experience the highest bliss of Peace.
Read moreBeing mindful and staying in the present moment is a cornerstone of Buddhist practice. Yet, we frequently find our thoughts wandering off due to external stimuli of all kinds and proliferation of thoughts. This inability to focus results in a mind that is not calm, serene and concentrated. The distracted mind also drains our energy level and hinders our spiritual progress.
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