Today 1 July, as we commemorate another milestone in our journey together at Nalanda Institute Malaysia, I am filled with immense joy and gratitude for everyone who has selflessly contributed to our activities over the past year. Your dedication and support have been instrumental in our achievements, particularly in the successful implementation of important experiential learning initiatives.

With the aim of transforming the delivery of our education programmes, the teaching and administrative teams met the challenge of reshaping and enriching course content and implementation to deepen our participants’ comprehension of the Dhamma.  The successful conclusion of the BPS306 Certificate course in 2022 reflected a milestone in the Institute’s development. Reminding ourselves that the Buddha’s teachings were taught for both study and practice, we worked to make the Dhamma more valid in the lives of participants.

In this year’s BPS307, the team built on the knowledge gained to further refine delivery, aiming at enhancing participants’ abilities towards self-exploration and self-understanding. Daily mindfulness practice is more effectively combined with meaningful life-reflection activities. Group discussion is also encouraged, guided by able facilitators.  Moving past mid-2024, the course is currently building momentum and the results have so far been very encouraging.

The Dhammapada study sessions initiated in 2023 met with an acceptable level of success. Though we did not attract the mass audiences of previous years, the learning ensued resulted in substantial understanding of this section of the Buddha’s teachings. Again, I extend my heartfelt appreciation to our faculty and staff for their dedication and loving-kindness in delivering these impactful learning opportunities.

To our participants and students, thank you for embracing these opportunities with enthusiasm and patience.  Your engagement and willingness to learn have been inspiring, and I am confident that you will carry forward the wisdom and knowledge gained from these experiences into your future endeavours.  We would also ask for your forgiveness for any deficiencies experienced during our activities.

I thank again my wonderful team of committed colleagues at Nalanda Institute.  All team members carried out their responsibilities with enthusiasm and commitment, ensuring that our objectives were satisfactorily met.  A special mention to the management of Nalanda Buddhist Society for their unwavering support, encouragement and camaraderie. I rejoice in my good fortune in having such wonderful kalyana mittā around me.

As we reflect on our accomplishments, I am always reminded of our oft-quoted motivations: “I wish not see the suffering of living beings and I wish not see the decline of the Buddha-Sāsana”. Let us together continue to make a meaningful difference in our community and beyond.

May the Buddha-Sāsana thrive for the good of the World.

In the service of the Dhamma,

Achariya Tan Siang Chye, Director of Nalanda Institute