Nalanda Johor Bahru Branch members had a very enlightening and enjoyable 4-day study tour to Kedah and Perlis, from 22 – 25 November. The entourage left NEO Centre in JB on 22 November and stopped over for lunch at our ‘spiritual home’ – Nalanda Centre Sri Serdang. The group of 30 participants also visited the Buddhist Maha Vihara in Kuala Lumpur for a familiarization tour, thereafter left for Sungai Petani in Kedah. Read more
We are very honoured to welcome the visit of Venerable Sri Pandit Henepola Gunaratana Māha Nāyaka Thero to Malaysia! Ven. Gunaratana at 86 years of age is the Theravada Sangha Nāyaka (senior-most and honorary 'Chief monk') of the USA and North America. Also popularly known as ‘Bhante G’, he is a renowned Buddhist meditation teacher and author of several influential works, such as the best-selling ‘Mindfulness in Plain English’.
Read moreIt's the 'Kathina' season whereby the laity are offering alms and requisites to the Sangha members who completed another ‘annual rains retreat’ (Vassana). The Nalanda Johor Bahru Team is happily taking part in several such celebrations in Johor. On 20 October, the team was at Santi Forest Monastery in Ulu Tiram for its Kathina Day. On 27 October, the team headed to Dhamma-Light Meditation Centre in Api Api, Pontian, for the celebrations there. Next the team will be going to Santisukharama in Kota Tinggi for its Kathina Day this Sunday. Sadhu anumodana!
Read moreIt was a busy but productive Sunday for officers at NEO Centre Johor Bahru on 29 September. After the morning service and Mandarin Talk by Bro. Tan, officers and volunteers tucked in for a pot-luck lunch. In the afternoon, 20 Nalanda Johor Bahru officers joined Bro. Tan for a special meeting to plan programmes for the last quarter (October-December) of 2013, as well as to chart directions for 2014-2015. With clarity of vision and purpose, the JB Branch Management would be able to lead the community progressively onward.
Read moreIt was another packed weekend at NEO Centre as Bro.Tan came on his monthly visit to Johor Bahru. He gave a Dhamma teaching in English on Saturday 24 August, in memory of Sis. GG Tan, Julie Ang, Lee Ah Yem, and Jennie Cheong who passed away in an accident 4 years ago while on a visit to India. Bro. Tan gave another uplifting talk in Mandarin on Sunday 25 August, in honour of Nalanda's late Spiritual Advisor Ven. Dr. K Sri Dhammananda Nayaka Thero.
Read moreOn Monday 8 July, Bro. Tan led the New-moon Uposatha Day Puja at NEO Centre Johor Bahru. After which, Bro.Tan gave an uplifing talk on the purpose of spiritual cultivation, which is to develop the ability to view things from a 'Dhamma prism' and hence obtain Right Views. The talk was very well-attended, which saw a packed Shrine-Hall. Attendees included a group of devotees from Metta Lodge led by Dr. Wong Yin Onn, and Singaporean devotees from the Buddhist Fellowship.
Read moreOn Tuesday, 25 June, a special parenting talk by Bro. Aggaphala Yap was held at NEO Centre Johor Bahru. Bro. Yap is a professional counselor specializing in youth-related issues. The talk was well-attended, and participants found the sharing relevant and most useful to communicating with their teenage children.
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 moreWesak full-moon Buddha Day was celebrated for the first time at NEO Centre Johor Bahru on Saturday, 25 May. More than 200 devotees packed the Centre to attend the pūja and Dhamma sharing by Nalandians.
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.
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