On Sunday 27 September, a memorial service was held in honour of two illustrious teachers – Venerable Kakkapalliye Anuruddha, a foremost and distinguished scholar in the Pāli language; and Acharya Satya Narayan Goenka, a prodigious teacher who taught millions of practitioners the technique and bliss of Vipassāna Meditation. Both great men passed away on the same day, 29 September 2013; their likes will rarely be seen again.
Following the tributes, Nalanda Founder Bro. Tan gave a pertinent lesson on Kusala Dhamma, taken from AN. 4.61, where the Buddha taught Anathapindika about worthy deeds.
Bro. Tan also reminded devotees that Dhamma ‘practice’ is the gradual, systematic and progressive purification of morality; purification of mind and mental states; and purification of views.
The Path of Practice requires the training, cultivation, and development of the mind, said Bro. Tan, and to do these, one has to have 1) Training in being mindful; 2) Training in being aware; 3) Training in having fewness of desires; 4) Training in being wholesome; 5) Training in calmness; 6) Training in non-diffusion; 7) Training in concentration; and 8) Accomplishment in wisdom.
The memorial service concluded with dedication of merits to both our late teachers and to all sentient beings. We are thankful to our spiritual teachers who inspire us to continue with Dhamma practice. Sadhu!