We thank all Venerable Ajahns for gracing Nalanda with your presence and inspiring us with the Dhamma. We wish Luang Por and all Ajahns the best of health, happiness, peace, and strength in carrying out their noble endeavours.

On the evening of Saturday 27 May, devotees congregated at Nalanda Centre to learn from Luang Por Lai Thīpadhammo, a senior Thai forest monk who trained under the late Ajahn Chah.  Luang Por was accompanied by Luang Por Sawang Kalyāno, Luang Por Charlie Piyadhammo, Ajahn Dton Dhirapanno and Ajahn Meng Techadhammo, who are on a Dhamma tour across Malaysia and Singapore.  The Dhamma talk was delivered by Luang Por Lai in Thai, and translated into English by Ajahn Dton.

Luang Por advised that the more we develop ourselves in the Dhamma, the more we become light-hearted and less yielding to our defilements.  With mindfulness, our mind becomes clearer so that we are able to see the defilements arise and know what to do.  We see why our likes and dislikes arise, and find that these are just attachments which are ultimately impermanent, suffering and non-self.

The evening service commenced with communal chanting.

Welcoming Venerable Ajahns as they arrive in the Dhamma Teaching Hall.

Luang Por Lai Thipadhammo delivered the Dhamma talk in Thai. Luang Por Lai was one of the last disciples to train under Ajahn Chah before he became ill in the 1980s.

Ajahn Dton translated the talk into English.

Ajahn Dton acting as the English translator during the Dhamma talk.

Luang Por also emphasised the importance of ‘saddha’ (faith and confidence) in the Three Jewels.  We develop saddha in order to strengthen the remaining mental faculties (Pañca Indriya) of viriya (effort), sati (mindfulness), samādhi (concentration), and paññā (wisdom).

Luang Por Sawang also continued the talk by giving assurance that we do not need to have fear of anything when we have the Dhamma with us.  As laypeople, we can develop ourselves in Dhamma by cultivating (1) Sacca – Truthfulness, (2) Dama – Keeping the mind restraint and not following worldly ways, (3) Khanti – Being patient in cultivating spiritual qualities, and (4) Caga – Letting go by being generous.

Serenity permeated in the Hall, inducing devotees to calm their minds and listen intently and attentively to the Dhamma.

Luang Por Lai passed the session to Luang Por Sawang, who shared 4 qualities laypeople can develop : (1) Sacca, (2) Dama, (3) Khanti, and (4) Cāga.

After the group photo, Luang Por and Ajahns spontaneously expressed their joy in meeting with Nalandians, and also offered words of advice.

Offering requisites to the Mahā Sangha.

Venerable Ajahns giving their blessings to the community.

We thank all Venerable Ajahns for gracing Nalanda with your presence and inspiring us with your inspiring talks.  We wish Luang Por and all Ajahns the best of health, happiness, peace, and strength in carrying out their noble endeavours.

For more photos, please click here