Nalanda members and devotees gathered for the inauguration of NEO Centre Sungai Petani.

The Nalanda Education & Outreach (NEO) Centre in Sungai Petani, Kedah, was inaugurated on 11 December with a simple yet meaningful ceremony.  Inaugurating the Centre means dedicating it as a Buddhist educational facility.  The choice of 11 December was significant as it was an Uposatha new-moon day as well as Nalanda’s ‘Education Day’.

In the morning, Nalanda members from Kedah Branch gathered at NEO Centre for pūja and chanting.  They were joined by Nalandians from Serdang and Kuala Lumpur.  Thereafter, Bro. Tan gave a talk on what ‘Buddhist education’ means, how it is different from normal education, and what it aims to achieve.  It was truly an enlightening sharing on the philosophy of Buddha-Dhamma.

Bro. Tan sharing about the meaning and objectives of ‘Buddhist education’.

To mark the occasion, two trees were ceremoniously planted besides the Centre.  The tree-planting was performed by representatives of Nalanda Board and EXCO, Branch leaders, members and all devotees present. Bro. Tan said that the two trees symbolize ‘Sīla’ (integrity) and ‘Pañña’ (wisdom), which were declared by the Buddha as “qualities which uphold the world”.  Both integrity and wisdom are also the objectives of Buddhist education.

Nalanda Board of Management Member Bro. Louis Chan planting the tree at NEO Centre.

Kedah Branch Chairman Bro. Khaw Seng Giap planting the tree.

Nalandians and devotees were overjoyed by this new Centre and insights gained through participating in this momentous event.  Sadhu!

NOTE:

NEO Centre Sungai Petani will be officiated on the upcoming Uposatha full-moon day (Friday, 25 December 2015).

NEO Centre Sungai Petani is strategically located in Bandar Mutiara, 7km east of the town centre.