Stall owners and market-goers happily offering alms-food to the venerable monks.

On Saturday 6 August, the Nalanda Kuala Lumpur Branch organised the monthly educational ‘Pindacāra’ (monks on alms-round) at the Taman O.U.G. and Happy Garden morning markets. Two venerable monks from Sentul Sri Lanka Buddhist Temple went on alms-round, allowing market-goers the opportunity to performing the meritorious act of offering food.

As part of the effort to educate the public about this ancient Buddhist heritage, Nalanda volunteers also took the opportunity to engage with curious onlookers, explaining to them the purpose and value behind this practice.

A line of helpers assisting the venerable monks in their alms-round.

A devotee joyfully perform the wholesome act of dāna.

The venerables and devotees later adjourned to Nalanda Education & Outreach Centre in Happy Garden, where Sis. Sunanda gave a Dhamma sharing about the proper way to offer dāna. She explained that in order for dāna to be performed holistically, both the giver and receiver have to maintain calmness, goodness, gladness, and mindfulness in the act of giving.

Sis. Sunanda giving a Dhamma talk on the proper attitude in performing dāna.

Discussion and reflection after a wholesome activity consolidates our learning.

We thank the venerable monks for their compassion, and Sis. Sunanda for the Dhamma sharing. We also thank volunteers and devotees who took part in this wholesome activity. May all beings share and rejoice in the merits accrued.  Sadhu anumodana.

After listening to the talk on how to perform dāna, devotees practised offering dāna with the proper attitude to the venerable monks.