Nalanda Buddhist Society

29 May 2020

The world is changing; but is it only now?

The 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…”.

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27 May 2020

Obituary – Venerable E. Indaratana

It 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.

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25 May 2020

Anchoring our lives with conviction

In 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.

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23 May 2020

Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri

This 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.

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22 May 2020

Tragic air-crash in Pakistan

A 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.

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21 May 2020

Prayers for victims of Cyclone Amphan

On 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.

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18 May 2020

Five daily practices during Gimhāna

In 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:

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17 May 2020

Annual Gimhāna Retreat B.E.2564

After 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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16 May 2020

How to cope with fear, anxiety and uncertainty?

In this talk given on Buddha Day B.E. 2564, Bro.Benny Liow shares Buddhist teachings on how to cope with fear and anxiety in the face of uncertainties in life.  He quotes from the Pāli Canon as well as from contemporary Buddhist teachers to highlight the practices that lead to tranquility.

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15 May 2020

Are you sure the Buddha said that?

How do we know that the teachings of the Buddha that we come across are indeed what He had taught?  In this day and age, there are a growing number of misquotes of the Buddha found in social media. Content publishers ascribe quotes to “The Buddha”, to draw unknowing readers to ‘like’ their content. This inevitably leads to distorted views on Buddhism.

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