The following is a summary of Bro. Tan’s teaching on 26 June, the third group meditation in conjunction with the Gimhana Retreat held at Nalanda Centre.
Read more‘Happiness’ is but a fleeting emotion that lasts for just a short time, before it is displaced by other feelings. ‘Unhappiness’ on the other hand, can last for days or even years, because it can transmute into many forms – be it disappointment, jealousy or anger. Unhappiness is not so much the opposite of happiness, rather it is the absence of happiness.
Read moreOn 22 June, a Career Exploration Seminar was held at Nalanda Centre and was mostly attended by teenagers aged 16 to 18. Counsellor Bro. Aggaphala Yap Hock Heng guided participants in exploring their personal interests and priorities, leading them on a journey of self-discovery. It was a thought-provoking and highly interactive session as the youngsters took the opportunity to clarify and find out more about how they can translate what they like to do into potential future career options!
It was the second group meditation of the Gimhana Retreat on Wednesday, 19 June. Following the 45-minute quiet sitting, Bro. Tan quoted Sutta 4.110 from the Anguttara Nikaya on the four kinds of vipers (poisonous snakes), which are comparable to four kinds of persons:
Read moreOn Saturday, 22 June, the 2-session “Taking Refuge & Observing the Five Precepts” Workshop held at Nalanda Centre was successfully concluded. Participants took the opportunity to ask questions actively and clarify their doubts. The session ended with an interactive case study and high-spirited group discussion, with everyone having a clearer perspective on the Precepts as a spiritual guideline to develop one's morality and character. Sadhu anumodana!
Read moreText by Vincent Lee. Photographs by Gan Jia Cheng.
Read moreBright and energetic Youth Leaders and their mentors from the Buddhist Fellowship of Singapore visited Nalanda Centre from 14 to 18 June 2013 for their annual leadership retreat. They chose to have their retreat here so that there can be cultural exchanges with Nalandian youths. It was indeed a great choice as there were plenty of learning and sharing every day, as the youth leaders interacted amongst themselves and with Nalanda’s key-drivers.
Read moreThe second Service Sunday of the Gimhana period was held on 16 June. It was heartening to hear personal sharings from Sis. Margaret Ng, Sis. Buddhini Tan and Bro. Lee Teck Beng, who shared how the Buddha-Dhamma has impacted their lives, and how thankful they are for the opportunity to learn Dhamma and to serve the community.
Read moreOn Wednesday, 12 June, devotees once again filled the Shrine Hall at Nalanda Centre for the first group meditation of Gimhana Retreat. Bro. Tan guided everyone in loving-kindness meditation, followed by a quiet sitting as we observed our breath mindfully. Despite the day’s hustle and bustle, most meditators experienced a sense of peace after the 45 minute session.
Read moreEveryone was all-ears as Bro. Tan shared the interesting and insightful story about the snake. As it was shedding its skin, this 12-feet long King Cobra snake was very distressed and undergoing a big change. Half-blind, mad with discomfort, and in the heat of the high noon sun, it crossed the hot tar road not once or twice, but three times. This was the sight that Bro. Tan came across one day on the road.
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