History of Buddhism; history of Nalanda; history or heritage-related topics.
10 Nalanda members and volunteers are currently attending the International Conference : The History of ‘Kedah Tua’ (ancient Kedah) from the written records of Yi-Jing, held today 11 July in Kuala Lumpur. The conference features a diverse panel of international researchers and speakers, and includes a special briefing by Dr. Nasha Rodziadi Khaw – Centre for Global Archeological Research, Universiti Sains Malaysia.
Read moreOn Saturday 11 November, Nalanda Free School teachers and volunteers hosted a study trip for students around Kuala Lumpur city. Students learned about the history of the country’s early development and some of the pioneers of the Chinese community who played a crucial role in shaping the founding ideologies of our nation.
Read moreFrom 3 to 5 June, 36 Nalanda youths and members embarked on a journey of discovery to Bujang Valley in this first study tour organised by Nalanda Youth Centre. The group which was led by Youth leaders Bro. Yeo Disheng and Bro. Lim Ajit, immersed themselves in the rich Buddhist history in the north of the peninsular dating back to 1st Century BCE.
Read moreThis morning, 36 Nalanda youths and members set off on a 3-day study tour to Bujang Valley to visit historical and archaeological locales there. Situated in Central Kedah, the Bujang Valley is the richest archaeological site in Malaysia. Ruins of ancient Buddhist structures dating from the 1st Century BCE, and much-later Hindu temples dating from the 10th Century CE, can be found scattered across the district.
Read moreToday marks the historical occasion where the Buddha preached the ‘Ovada Patimokkha’ – the summary of His Teachings – at the famed Veluvana Monastery in Rājagaha more than 2,600 years ago. The Buddha taught the spontaneous gathering of 1,250 Arahant bhikkhus the outline of Dhamma practice – “To abandon evil; cultivate virtues; and to purify one’s own mind”.
Read moreThe majestic ‘Nālandā Māha Vihāra’ was established during the Gupta Period in the 5th Century CE, in the city of Nalanda, where once the Buddha delivered the Kevatta Sutta and spoke about the ‘Miracle of Education’. This key learning institution was not just for Buddhist monastics, but also for students of secular subjects including medicine, mathematics and philosophy. At its peak, the university hosted over 10,000 students from all around the world, the most famous of which is Ven. Xuan Zang.
Read moreOn 15 May 2022, Buddhists will celebrate the anniversary of the Buddha’s Enlightenment over 2,600 years ago on the full-moon of the Wesak month, commonly referred to as ‘Wesak Day’. This marks the beginning of the Buddhist Era (B.E.) 2566, calculated from the time of the passing away of the Buddha in 543 BCE. Find out more about how Wesak Day was gazetted as a Public Holiday 60 years ago.
Read moreThe majestic Buddhas of Bamiyans made a monumental return today in 3D with laser light technology projected over where it used to stand. The event called “A Night with Buddha” was organised to mark 20 years since the cultural heritage was lost forever when the Taliban destroyed them in March 2001.
Read moreAfter the British took over the administration of Kedah in 1911, colonial surveyors were surprised to discover many remains of stone and brick temple structures in the state which showed Indian influence, dating from as early as the 5th century CE. These antiquities were scattered in an area extending from the southern foothills of Gunung Jerai (Kedah Peak) to Merbok River in Kuala Muda District. This 225 km² expanse of land is known today as the Bujang Valley – and it is by far the richest archaeological site discovered in Malaysia.
Read more‘International Nurses Day’ is observed on 12 May every year; the date was chosen because it was the birthday of Florence Nightingale (1820 – 1910). In the past, it was an occasion that came and went without much notice. But under the shadows of a global pandemic this year, it is finally celebrated with the recognition it deserves – with significant appreciation and gratitude for the toils and sacrifices of nurses worldwide.
Read more