From 18 to 20 October, Nalanda Dhamma School facilitators and volunteers from Serdang, Kuala Lumpur, and Johor Bahru gathered at Wisdom Park for the Annual Facilitators’ Retreat. Themed “Discover, Grow & Inspire”, the retreat was a time for renewal, reflection, and reconnection among the dedicated team of volunteers who guide and nurture young learners in Dhamma education.
Read moreThis morning, Venerable Ayya Sumangala, the abbess of Ariya Vihara, visited Wisdom Park for a site visit in preparation for the upcoming meditation retreat to be held next month. Ayya and her organising team met with the Wisdom Park EXCO led by Sis. Nandini to discuss the retreat programme and logistical arrangements. Following the visit, Nalanda volunteers had the opportunity to joyfully offer dāna to Venerable Ayya.
Read moreOn Tuesday 27 May, Nalanda held an Uposātha evening service in conjunction with the new-moon day of the month Jeṭṭha, marking the beginning of the 2025 Gimhāna Retreat for all Nalanda members and devotees. The evening service featured chanting, meditation and a Dhamma talk by Sis. Nandini Tan. Tracing the origin of Nalanda’s Gimhāna Retreat to 2012, Sis. Nandini reminded us of the purpose of Gimhāna Retreat – a 7-week intensive self-practice programme based on Five Daily Practices.
Read moreThe fifth daily practice during the Gimhāna Retreat is do ground ourselves in evening chanting and reflection of our day. Take time at the end of the day to recollect and reflect on our actions, speech and thoughts throughout the day. The more that we reflect, the clearer we can see our progress and journey.
Read moreHoning wholesome habits would not be complete without efforts to perform acts generosity and kindness towards others as part of our daily practice. Giving (Dāna) can be performed in everyday life, even when we don’t leave out home; donating online, purchasing requisites to be delivered to another, or even a kind word to someone suffering.
Read moreOne of the wholesome habits we can develop is to dedicate time to read Dhamma books and listen to Dhamma talks. Just as how we brush our teeth daily to ensure healthy teeth and gums, and to prevent tooth decay, we nourish our minds with Dhamma daily so that we purify our minds from the stains of defilements.
Read moreDuring the seven-week Gimhāna Retreat, we can undertake the Five Daily Practices to develop new wholesome habits. The first daily practice is morning chanting and making noble aspirations.
Read moreToday is the new-moon Uposatha day of the month Jeṭṭha, which also marks the start of the summer season, Gimhāna. For seven weeks after the Buddha’s Enlightenment, He contemplated on the Dhamma with His perfectly clear faculty of comprehension. At Nalanda, it marks the start of our annual Gimhāna Retreat where we come together to deepen our understanding and practice in the Dhamma.
Read moreOn Saturday 12 April, Serdang Buddhist Association organised a Metta Bhavana Retreat at Nalanda Centre from 9am to 5.30pm. Ven. U Paññāsami, who currently resides in Dhamma Earth, guided the group consisting of 90 participants in cultivating this ennobling quality of loving-kindness. Tranquillity and calm permeated the Centre as participants listened intently to his instructions and put them into practice immediately.
Read moreFrom 14 – 23 February, 30 yogis embarked on ten days of intensive retreat under the guidance of Ven. Gavesi. They learnt to cultivate serenity and insight under the Mahasi tradition with daily teachings by Ven. Gavesi, extended sitting and walking meditation sessions, mindful eating, and group interviews with Venerable.
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