Nalanda Dhamma School
Nalanda Dhamma School (NDS) started with 40 students on 2 January 2005. The name “Nalanda” means ‘the giving of knowledge and wisdom’. Hence the school aims to continue the noble tradition of providing high quality and holistic education to the younger generation of Buddhists, by imparting them with the necessary knowledge, skills, and most importantly, religious and moral values.
NDS focuses its earnest, energetic effort in performing the ‘Miracle of Education’ with the theme ‘The Heart of Education is Education of the Heart.’ Thus, the students are moulded gradually to change for the better – a change preceeded by an understanding of our station in life and our purpose within it. Ultimately, the students are independently equipped for worldly responsibilities and will eventually experience spiritual awakening in their lives.
School Motto
Dhammassa Gutto Medhavi
The wise follow the righteous path of Dhamma
Objectives
- To inform and educate the younger generation of Buddhists on the rich teachings and heritage of Buddhism.
- To assist them in cultivating faith and devotion to the Buddha-Sāsana and gear them towards self-development.
- To make them all-rounded and successful individuals by imparting the necessary knowledge, skills and values needed in life.
- To establish in their young minds the will to protect and propagate the Buddha-Sāsana for future generations.
Philosophy
- Egalitarianism – Nalanda Dhamma School is not an elite school but a school for all, regardless of their family backgrounds.
- Realism – Realistic conditions of life which are full of challenges are presented through lessons and activities.
- Values – A gradual approach in inculcating religious and moral values.
- Kalyana mittata – Friendship and healthy relationships between facilitators, students and parents are essential.
Our Approach
- Practicality – activity-based learning to develop life-skills.
- Opportunity – organizing events and planning activities together.
- Hands-on – experiential learning to develop problem-solving capabilities.
- Sharing and guiding – facilitating and coaching instead of ‘teaching’.
- Team-based – positive social interactivity to maintain group harmony.
Video Production Project
During the pandemic period, while many people were homebound, Nalanda Dhamma School facilitators and students utilised their time to read and reflect on the Dhammapada verses. They also learned video production skills and worked together virtually to produce meaningful videos based on the Buddha’s teachings.
We invite you to watch the ten videos produced by our children, teenagers and facilitators. Each video comprises simple yet meaningful message, may you discover something valuable from the videos. Enjoy your visit!
Opportunities at Nalanda Dhamma School
Video Production by Group Gāravo, Nalanda Junior Dhamma School
When we are generous and kind to others, we reduce the sense of greed and attachment in us. Our mind will naturally be joyful and happy. Opportunity to do good is precious and rewarding, so let’s not hesitate and be quick in doing good!
Reference: Dhammapada Verse 116
Video Production by Group Sati, Nalanda Junior Dhamma School
We live a blessed life when we know how to be grateful to our parents. Just like how our parents have supported us, we too should know how to support them in return with material needs, emotional and spiritual support. Honor them with devotion, respect, and kindness.
Reference: Dhammapada Verse 324
Video Production by Group Viriya, Nalanda Junior Dhamma School
When we forget to love and care for the people around us, we allow hate to grow in our mind. Hatred only creates unnecessary sufferings for ourselves and others. It is only through love and understanding we can live together harmoniously.
Reference: Dhammapada Verse 197
Video Production by Group Kataññutā, Nalanda Junior Dhamma School
Our monkey mind may get distracted and zoned out easily. We need to train the mind to pay attention to the present moment, instead of wandering to the past or the future. The present moment is filled with joy and happiness. If we are attentive, we will see it.
Reference: Dhammapada Verse 37
Video Production by Group Khantī, Nalanda Teenage Dhamma School
Things that we enjoy now are fruits from our past effort. We should not take things for granted and enjoy our life heedlessly. If we want to continue to enjoy success and happiness in the future, we need to continue to put in energetic efforts in giving and helping others in need.
Reference: Dhammapada Verse 53
Video Production by Group Mettā, Nalanda Teenage Dhamma School
Things that we enjoy now are fruits from our past effort. We should not take things for granted and enjoy our life heedlessly. If we want to continue to enjoy success and happiness in the future, we need to continue to put in energetic efforts in giving and helping others in need.
Reference: Dhammapada Verse 53
Video Production by Group Santuṭṭhī, Nalanda Teenage Dhamma School
We should not be greedily attached to winning and losing but instead, we should treat every competition as a learning and growing opportunity. Those who have renounced winning or losing, enjoy peace and happiness.
Reference: Dhammapada Verse 201
Video Production by Group Viriya, Nalanda Teenage Dhamma School
快乐不会停留，痛苦也会过去，而生命的意义需要自己努力寻找。不要沉迷于过去，把握现在拥有的，多和身边的人交流，才能找到宁静的快乐。 By living in the present moment, appreciating people and things in our life, we will find peace and true purpose of life.
Reference: Dhammapada Verse 142
Video Production by Group Appamādo & Group Nivāto, Nalanda Teenage Dhamma School
The Buddhist path begins with the cultivation of generosity. Cultivating a habit of giving and kindness, cleanses our mind from greed and selfish attachment. It also give warmth and joy to people around us. As we bring light to others, we naturally light our own way too!
Reference: Dhammapada Verse 53
Video Production by Group Dhammacariyā & Group Tapo, Nalanda Teenage Dhamma School
In life we sometimes receive positive comments, as well as negative criticisms. Praise and blame come and go like the wind. Regardless of what comment we get, instead of dwelling on the happy or sad feelings, we should focus on learning something valuable from the experience.
Reference: Dhammapada Verse 227
- Teenage & Junior Dhamma School, Sri Serdang
- Family Dhamma School, Happy Garden
- Family Dhamma School, Johor Bahru
Calendar Of Event 2025
| Month | Date | Event | Venue | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 1 | Dhamma School 20th Anniversary | – | – |
| February | 9 | School Session 1 : Tea-Offering Ceremony | Nalanda Centre | 9.00 am – 12.00 pm |
| 13 – 16 | Orientation Camp | Nalanda Centre | – | |
| 23 | School Session 3 | Nalanda Centre | 9.00 am – 12.00 pm | |
| March | 2 | School Session 4 | Nalanda Centre | 9.00 am – 12.00 pm |
| 9 | School Session 5 | Nalanda Centre | 9.00 am – 12.00 pm | |
| 16 | School Session 6 | Nalanda Centre | 9.00 am – 12.00 pm | |
| 23 | School Session 7 : Family Sports Day | – | – | |
| 30 | School Holiday (Hari Raya) | – | – | |
| April | 6 | School Holiday (Cheng Beng) | – | – |
| 13 | School Session 8 | Nalanda Centre | 9.00 am – 12.00 pm | |
| 20 | School Session 9 | Nalanda Centre | 9.00 am – 12.00 pm | |
| 27 | School Session 10 | Nalanda Centre | 9.00 am – 12.00 pm | |
| May | 4 | School Session 11 | Nalanda Centre | 9.00 am – 12.00 pm |
| 11 | School Session 12 | Nalanda Centre | 9.00 am – 12.00 pm | |
| 12 | School Session 13 : Buddha Day | Nalanda Centre | – | |
| 18 | School Session 14 | Nalanda Centre | 9.00 am – 12.00 pm | |
| 25 | School Session 15 | Nalanda Centre | 9.00 am – 12.00 pm | |
| June | 1 | School Holiday (Agong’s Birthday) | – | – |
| 6 – 8 | Teenagers Study Trip to Bujang Valley | Nalanda Centre | 9.00 am – 12.00 pm | |
| 15 | School Session 16 | Nalanda Centre | 9.00 am – 12.00 pm | |
| 22 | School Session 17 | Nalanda Centre | 9.00 am – 12.00 pm | |
| 29 | School Holiday (Awal Muharram) | – | – | |
| July | 6 | School Session 18 | Nalanda Centre | 9.00 am – 12.00 pm |
| 13 | School Session 19 : Dhammacakka Day | Nalanda Centre | 9.00 am – 12.00 pm | |
| 20 | School Session 20 | Nalanda Centre | 9.00 am – 12.00 pm | |
| 27 | School Session 21 | Nalanda Centre | 9.00 am – 12.00 pm | |
| August | 3 | School Session 22 | Nalanda Centre | 9.00 am – 12.00 pm |
| 10 | School Session 23 | Nalanda Centre | 9.00 am – 12.00 pm | |
| 17 | School Session 24 : Family Fun Fair | Nalanda Centre | – | |
| 24 | School Session 25 | Nalanda Centre | 9.00 am – 12.00 pm | |
| 31 | School Session 26 : Memorial Day | Nalanda Centre | 9.00 am – 12.00 pm | |
| September | 7 | School Holiday | – | – |
| 14 | School Holiday | – | – | |
| 21 | School Holiday | – | – | |
| 28 | School Session 27 | Nalanda Centre | 9.00 am – 12.00 pm | |
| October | 5 | School Session 28 | Nalanda Centre | 9.00 am – 12.00 pm |
| 12 | School Session 29 | Nalanda Centre | 9.00 am – 12.00 pm | |
| 19 | School Holiday (Deepavali) | – | – | |
| 26 | School Session 30 | Nalanda Centre | 9.00 am – 12.00 pm | |
| November | 2 | School Session 31 | Nalanda Centre | 9.00 am – 12.00 pm |
| 9 | School Session 32 : Sangha Day | Nalanda Centre | 9.00 am – 12.00 pm | |
| 16 | School Session 33 | Nalanda Centre | 9.00 am – 12.00 pm | |
| 23 | School Session 34 | Nalanda Centre | 9.00 am – 12.00 pm | |
| 30 | School Session 35 | Nalanda Centre | 9.00 am – 12.00 pm | |
| December | 31 | School Appreciation & Honours Day | Nalanda Centre | 6.00 pm – 10.00 pm |
Calendar Of Event 2025
| Month | Date | Event | Venue | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 1 | Dhamma School 20th Anniversary | – | – |
| February | 9 | School Session 1 : Tea-Offering Ceremony | NEO KL | 9.00 am – 12.00 pm |
| 16 | School Session 2 | NEO KL | 9.00 am – 12.00 pm | |
| 23 | School Session 3 | NEO KL | 9.00 am – 12.00 pm | |
| March | 2 | School Holiday | – | – |
| 9 | School Session 4 | NEO KL | 9.00 am – 12.00 pm | |
| 16 | School Session 5 | NEO KL | 9.00 am – 12.00 pm | |
| 22 | School Session 6 : Family Day | Wisdom Park | – | |
| 30 | School Holiday (Hari Raya) | – | – | |
| April | 6 | School Holiday (Cheng Beng) | – | – |
| 13 | School Session 7 | NEO KL | 9.00 am – 12.00 pm | |
| 20 | School Session 8 | NEO KL | 9.00 am – 12.00 pm | |
| 27 | School Session 9 | NEO KL | 9.00 am – 12.00 pm | |
| May | 4 | School Session 10 | NEO KL | 9.00 am – 12.00 pm |
| 11 | School Holiday | – | – | |
| 12 | School Session 11 : Buddha Day | Nalanda Centre | – | |
| 17 | School Session 12 : Peace Walk | NEO KL | 9.00 am – 12.00 pm | |
| 25 | School Session 13 | NEO KL | 9.00 am – 12.00 pm | |
| June | 1 | School Holiday (Agong’s Birthday) | – | – |
| 8 | School Holiday | NEO KL | 9.00 am – 12.00 pm | |
| 15 | School Session 14 | NEO KL | 9.00 am – 12.00 pm | |
| 22 | School Session 15 | NEO KL | 9.00 am – 12.00 pm | |
| 29 | School Holiday (Awal Muharram) | – | – | |
| July | 6 | School Session 16 | NEO KL | 9.00 am – 12.00 pm |
| 13 | School Session 17 : Dhammacakka Day | NEO KL | 9.00 am – 12.00 pm | |
| 20 | School Session 18 | NEO KL | 9.00 am – 12.00 pm | |
| 27 | School Session 19 | NEO KL | 9.00 am – 12.00 pm | |
| August | 3 | School Holiday | NEO KL | 9.00 am – 12.00 pm |
| 10 | School Session 20 | NEO KL | 9.00 am – 12.00 pm | |
| 17 | School Session 21 : Family Fun Fair | Nalanda Centre | – | |
| 24 | School Session 22 | NEO KL | 9.00 am – 12.00 pm | |
| 31 | School Session 23 : Memorial Day | Nalanda Centre | 9.00 am – 12.00 pm | |
| September | 5 – 7 | Family Stay-in Programme | Wisdom Park | – |
| 14 | School Holiday | – | – | |
| 21 | School Holiday | – | – | |
| 28 | School Session 24 | NEO KL | 9.00 am – 12.00 pm | |
| October | 5 | School Session 25 | NEO KL | 9.00 am – 12.00 pm |
| 12 | School Session 26 | NEO KL | 9.00 am – 12.00 pm | |
| 19 | School Holiday (Deepavali) | – | – | |
| 26 | School Session 27 | NEO KL | 9.00 am – 12.00 pm | |
| November | 2 | School Holiday | – | – |
| 9 | School Session 28 : Sangha Day | Nalanda Centre | 9.00 am – 12.00 pm | |
| 16 | School Session 29 | NEO KL | 9.00 am – 12.00 pm | |
| 23 | School Session 30 | NEO KL | 9.00 am – 12.00 pm | |
| 30 | School Session 31 | NEO KL | 9.00 am – 12.00 pm | |
| December | 31 | School Appreciation & Honours Day | Nalanda Centre | 6.00 pm – 10.00 pm |
Calendar Of Event 2025
| Month | Date | Event | Venue | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 1 | Dhamma School 20th Anniversary | – | – |
| February | 22 | School Session 1 | NEO JB | 2.30 pm – 5.30pm |
| March | 1 | School Session 2 | NEO JB | 2.30 pm – 5.30pm |
| 8 | School Session 3 | NEO JB | 2.30 pm – 5.30pm | |
| 15 | School Session 4 | NEO JB | 2.30 pm – 5.30pm | |
| 22 | School Holiday (Sultan Johor’s Birthday) | – | – | |
| 29 | School Holiday (Hari Raya) | – | – | |
| April | 5 | School Holiday (Cheng Beng) | – | – |
| 12 | School Session 5 | NEO JB | 2.30 pm – 5.30pm | |
| 19 | School Session 6 | NEO JB | 2.30 pm – 5.30pm | |
| 26 | School Session 7 | NEO JB | 2.30 pm – 5.30pm | |
| May | 3 | School Session 8 | NEO JB | 2.30 pm – 5.30pm |
| 10 | School Session 9 | NEO JB | 2.30 pm – 5.30pm | |
| 12 | School Session 10 : Buddha Day | NEO JB | – | |
| 17 | School Session 11 | NEO JB | 2.30 pm – 5.30pm | |
| 24 | School Session 12 | NEO JB | 2.30 pm – 5.30pm | |
| 31 | School Holiday (Agong’s Birthday) | – | – | |
| June | 7 | School Holiday (Hari Raya Haji) | – | – |
| 14 | School Session 13 | NEO JB | 2.30 pm – 5.30pm | |
| 21 | School Session 14 | NEO JB | 2.30 pm – 5.30pm | |
| 27 – 29 | Family Stay-in Programme | Wisdom Park | – | |
| July | 5 | School Session 15 | NEO JB | 2.30 pm – 5.30pm |
| 12 | School Session 16 | NEO JB | 2.30 pm – 5.30pm | |
| 19 | School Session 17 | NEO JB | 2.30 pm – 5.30pm | |
| 26 | School Session 18 | NEO JB | 2.30 pm – 5.30pm | |
| August | 2 | School Session 19 | NEO JB | 2.30 pm – 5.30pm |
| 9 | School Session 20 | NEO JB | 2.30 pm – 5.30pm | |
| 16 | School Holiday | – | – | |
| 23 | School Session 21 | NEO JB | 2.30 pm – 5.30pm | |
| 30 | School Session 22 | NEO JB | 2.30 pm – 5.30pm | |
| September | 6 | School Holiday (Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday) | – | – |
| 13 | School Holiday (Malaysia Day) | – | – | |
| 20 | School Session 23 | NEO JB | 2.30 pm – 5.30pm | |
| 21 | School Session 24 : Family Fun Fair | NEO JB | – | |
| 27 | School Session 25 | NEO JB | 2.30 pm – 5.30pm | |
| October | 4 | School Holiday | – | – |
| 11 | School Session 26 | NEO JB | 2.30 pm – 5.30pm | |
| 18 | School Holiday (Deepavali) | – | – | |
| 25 | School Session 27 | NEO JB | 2.30 pm – 5.30pm | |
| November | 1 | School Holiday | – | – |
| 8 | School Session 28 | NEO JB | 2.30 pm – 5.30pm | |
| 15 | School Session 29 | NEO JB | 2.30 pm – 5.30pm | |
| 22 | School Session 30 | NEO JB | 2.30 pm – 5.30pm | |
| 29 | School Session 31 | NEO JB | 2.30 pm – 5.30pm | |
| December | 27 | School Appreciation & Honours Day | NEO JB | 6.00 pm – 10.00 pm |