Nalanda Bulletin Issue No 11. September 2012
Read moreInterviewed by Yap Sze Yinn I do not often take the time to listen to other people’s stories, but the story of one of Nalanda’s dedicated volunteers has amazed me with his spirit and strong will to serve the community. Bro. Ooi Choong Li is one of Nalanda’s first volunteer Dharma School facilitators who is still serving this position five years later.
Read more11 August 2012
‘Get Ready!’ Examination Preparation Seminars
With examinations just around the corner, it is only natural for students to feel tension and worry building up. Stress in the right amount can motivate students to start getting serious with their studies, but excessive stress can hinder learning and sap their energy. Knowing this and the importance of mental wellbeing, Nalanda Free School conducted two workshops on 11 August for UPSR and PMR students.
Read more'Natthi santi param sukham' - there is no greater happiness than peace. Following instructions from Ayya Susila, the participants meditated with joyful tranquility in the hall.
Read more'Pinda' in the Pāli language means “a lump of food, especially of alms”. 'Pāta' refers to “bowl” whereas 'cāra' is “to move about”. Hence 'pindapāta' is “food received in the alms-bowl (of a monk)” whereas 'pindacāra' means “going on alms-round; wandering for alms”.
Read more13 July & 10 August 2012
Pustaka Nalanda’s Monthly Dhamma Discussions
‘The Great Discovery’ was the topic of the July Dhamma discussion at Nalanda Centre. The serialised monthly discussion is a Pustaka Nalanda programme aimed at bringing the Dhamma to those who want to know more about the Buddha’s teachings. Our presenter Bro. Ananda Fong skilfully guides participants in uncovering the Buddha’s ‘Great Discovery’ – the Four Noble Truths. In the 13 July session, the discussion was on the first three Noble Truths of Dukkha; the cause of Dukkha; and the end of Dukkha. The fourth Noble Truth of the path leading to the cessation of Dukkha was discussed on 10 August under the topic ‘The Path to Happiness’.
Read more5 August marked the start of Children’s Dhamma Class at NEO Centre, Happy Garden. The class is aimed at giving children a good grounding in knowledge, skills, values and culture. The four Nalanda Dharma School facilitators sent to teach at NEO Centre are highly motivated. Lessons are activity-based to make them interesting and lively for the children. The children’s class is held every Sunday, from 2 – 4pm. The annual enrolment is limited to a small number of students so as to enable facilitators to maintain personal rapport with their charges. Parents who are interested to enrol children (age 10 – 12) at Nalanda may contact the School Director, Sis. Sunanda Ong at 03-8938-1501. Enrolment for next year (2013) will begin on 15 October 2012.
Read more20 – 22 July
Over 3 days, Bro. Tan was invited by Gandhārama Vihāra to conduct a commentarial course on the Karaniya Mettā Sutta in Terengganu. The workshop was held at the beautiful Kenyir Lake Resort amidst peaceful surroundings. In a series of 7 talks, Bro. Tan inspired the more than 40 participants with insightful teachings and gladdened everyone’s heart with Dhamma!
Read more26 – 30 July
The Satipatthāna Sutta Workshop held in Nalanda Institute may be over back in March, but its impact and the learning demand resonated throughout the country, whereby six other similar workshops were subsequently held in Penang, Perak, Johor, Sabah, Sarawak, and even Singapore, under the skilful guidance of Venerable Aggacitta Mahathero.
Read moreThree members of Buddhist Gem Fellowship visited Nalanda Dharma School on 29 July to gather information on starting a Dhamma class for teenagers at their new premises. Sis. Dolly Teoh, Sis. Elaine and Sis. Lau observed Dharma School facilitators conducting their lessons. They also met with students from the School's choir, Publications team, Library Club and Junior Club, who shared their views on the School’s activities with the visitors. The visitors were taken on a tour of Nalanda Centre, followed by a discussion on Buddhist education. We wish BGF all the best in their efforts to teach Dhamma to teenagers.
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