According to Theravāda tradition, fully-ordained monks and nuns (bhikkhus and bhikkhunis) are required to observe ‘Vassana’ or ‘Rains Retreat’ for a 3-month period, beginning the day after the full-moon of Asalha month, which is today.
Read moreFrom 7 to 9 April, Persatuan Buddhist Universiti Malaya (PBUM) held a camp at Nalanda Centre on the history of Buddhism. 30 students gathered for three wholesome days to learn from Venerable Ji Chi the development of Buddhism throughout the past 2,500 years – from its emergence in ancient India to how it evolved into three main traditions of Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana, today.
Read moreFor the first time ever, the public will get the opportunity to worship the Buddha Relic (Şaŗira) at Nalanda Centre on Wesak Eve (from 7pm on Tuesday, 9 May) and Wesak ‘Buddha Day’ (until 7pm on Wednesday, 10 May).
Read moreToday is the beginning (New-moon day) of ‘Vesakha’ – the month commemorating Buddha’s Enlightenment 2,606 years ago. We invite everyone to join us at Nalanda Centre for chanting, meditation and Dhamma talk this evening starting at 8.00pm.
Read moreOne of the most enduring and evocative traditions at Nalanda is the “Achariya-abhivādana” – where Nalandian officers formally pay respect to teachers past and present. The simple ceremony is performed on special occasions such as ‘Buddha Day’, ‘Dhamma Day’, ‘Sangha Day’, ‘Education Day’ (on 11 December), Nalanda’s anniversary celebration (‘Nalanda Day’, on 1 May), and memorial days of departed achariyas.
Read morePhotograph credits to Gary Chen and The Star.
Malaysian daily The Star reported that 135 ‘bhikshus’ (monks), ‘bhikshunis’ (nuns), and novices went on an alms-gathering procession on the streets of George Town on 8 December. The alms-round was held in conjunction with a novitiate programme organised by Kek Lok Si, the largest Māhayana Buddhist monastery in Penang.
Read moreNalanda Buddhist Society will be celebrating our annual ‘Sangha Day’ next month at two venues – Nalanda Centre Sri Serdang and NEO Centre Happy Garden in Kuala Lumpur. ‘Sangha Day’ is dedicated to honour, appreciate and support the monastic order of bhikkhus (monks) and bhikkhunis (nuns) – the pillars of Buddha-Sāsana. On this day, devotees offer them robes as well as requisites such as medicinal products and food supplements.
Read moreThe Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha are collectively known in Buddhism as the ‘Three Jewels’ (Pāli, “Tiratanā”). They are also regarded by Buddhist adherents as our ‘Three Refuges’ (Pāli, “Tisaranā”). Buddhists revere these ‘Three Jewels’ with the highest esteem – the ‘Buddha’ is our Enlightened Teacher; the ‘Dhamma’ He taught is the Path to Liberation; and the ‘Ariya Sangha’ is the community of His Enlightened disciples. This community comprises spiritually-developed followers who attained any of the four stages of sainthood.
Read moreMonday 18 July was the Asalha Full-Moon Uposatha Day, whereupon this day 2600 years ago, the Buddha delivered the First Sermon on the ‘Four Noble Truths’ and the ‘Noble Eightfold Path’ to the world. The occasion is also known as ‘Dhamma Day’, and is one of the seven* observance days at Nalanda.
Read moreA special procession of Buddha Relic, the Tipitaka, the robe of the late Venerable K. Sri Dhammananda, and members of the Māha Sangha were held in Sri Serdang yesterday morning to mark the 10th ‘K. Sri Dhammananda Memorial Day’. The ceremonial procession from Nalanda House to Nalanda Centre was a delightful sight indeed. The calm spirituality and dignified manner in which it was held inspired everyone present at the event.
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