‘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 moreIt 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 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.
Read moreBro. Tan made a special visit to NEO Centre Johor Bahru on 2 June to teach devotees there the proper way to conduct Pūja. In his 3-hour sharing, Bro. Tan showed the way to pay respect, to recite the opening and closing gathas, to chant the homage, refuge-taking, five-precepts, and salutations in Pāli. Devotees expressed amazement and great appreciation for the knowledge and understanding gained from the productive session. Sadhu!
Read moreFor seven weeks after the Buddha’s Enlightenment on Wesak full-moon in May, He contemplated on the Dhamma with His perfectly clear faculty of comprehension. Then, He travelled for seven days from Bodhgaya to Sarnath, where He preached the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta on the Asalha full-moon (Dhamma Day) in July.
Read moreNalanda organizes 3 special retreats annually – the ‘Hemanta’ in January, ‘Gimhana’ in June-July, and ‘Vassana’ in October-November. Each of these 3 retreats focuses on different aspects of personal, communal and spiritual growth.
Read moreThe NEO Centre Johor Bahru had a wonderful beginning last Sunday with its first ‘Service Sunday’ held on 12 May. More than 50 Nalanda officers and devotees attended the Service which started with meditation at 9am, followed by Pūja, Chanting, and Dhamma teaching by Bro Tan.
Read moreCounting down to Nalanda Buddhist Society's 10th Anniversary milestone on 1 May 2013, we are sharing with you the wisdom and insights of 10 contemporary Buddhist masters of our times!
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