Holistic Education for Integral Human Development
Heartful gratitude on Memorial Day
Heartful gratitude on Memorial Day
We are ever thankful to Ven. K. Sri Dhammananda for his foresight and efforts to lay the foundations of Dhamma communities in Malaysia.
On Wednesday 31 August, Nalanda members, devotees, volunteers and Dhamma School students gathered to honour our late Spiritual Advisor Ven. K. Sri Dhammananda at Nalanda Centre. Although it has been 16 years after his passing, his missionary impact and contribution to Buddhism in Malaysia continues to be felt in today’s Buddhist societies and communities, of which many are rooted in the late venerable’s efforts.
Mr. Vijaya Samarawickrama and Bro. Tan Siang Chye, shared endearing memories about their late teacher. They recollected his boundless energy to teach even if he was unwell, and his dedication to not just propagate the Buddha’s teachings in a land foreign to him, but lay the foundations and build Buddhist communities here.
Memorial Day commenced with flag raising at K. Sri Dhammananda Centre.
Sis. Buddhini Tan shared how the late venerable had given us the name Nalanda and hence tasked us with the duty of Dhamma propagation.
Sis. Nandini Tan passed Ven. K. Sri Dhammananda’s robes to Mr. Vijaya to be brought to Nalanda Centre, in this enduring tradition of Memorial Day.
Nalandians pave the way and respectfully raise their folded palms out of respect and gratitude to the late monk.
Bro. Tan Siang Chye lay the robes at the shrine and pay his respects to his late teacher.
Ven. K. Sri Dhammananda had also encouraged and supported youths in their more contemporary ways of expressing their faith, such as in hymns and drama. And because he enabled the younger generations to connect to Dhamma, many of them are today’s Dhamma teachers and community leaders.
Let the wonderful teachings and inspiring qualities of our late teacher continue to spur us on to live a meaningful life guided by the Dhamma he so loved. May Ven. K. Sri Dhammananda attain the final bliss of Nibbāna.
The congregation sings ‘Negaraku’, with love for their motherland to celebrate Malaysia’s 65th Independence Day.
Devotees chant harmoniously together to take refuge in the Three Jewels, undertake the Five Precepts and recollect the virtues of the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha.
As someone who had learned and worked with the late venerable, Mr. Vijaya shared that Ven. Dhammananda had made great strides in strengthening the inter-faith in Malaysia.
Bro. Siang Chye recollected how sharp Ven. K. Sri Dhammananda was; he was quick to notice and aptly guide devotees in their practice.
As part of Memorial Day, devotees had the opportunity to partake in the wholesome deed of offering meal dana to Sangha members.
Devotees gathered at 12.32pm, the time of Ven. K. Sri Dhammananda’s passing. Venerable Siriwimala shared his own memories of Ven. K. Sri Dhammananda, whom he had known since he was a young boy.
Ven. Siriwimala and Ven. Chandaloka led the congregation in the transference of merits to Ven. K. Sri Dhammananda, Dhamma teachers and all beings.
We thank venerable sirs and all devotees for joining us to commemorate our late Spiritual Advisor.