The tradition of ‘Rains Retreat’ was started by the Buddha Himself in the year 588 BCE, where the Lord and 60 bhikkhus resided in Sarnath near Varanasi. The Buddha, seeing that the period of intense spiritual practice and communal discipline had greatly benefited the monks, formally instituted the 3-month ‘Rains Retreat’ whereby monks and nuns were to refrain from traveling and engaging in much activity to focus their attention inwardly towards spiritual development and purification.
Read moreAccording to Theravada Buddhist tradition, monks are required to observe ‘Vassana’ or ‘Rains Retreat’ for a duration of 3 months beginning the day after the full-moon of Asalha month, which is today. The tradition of ‘Rains Retreat’ was started by the Buddha Himself in the year 588 BCE, where the Lord and 60 bhikkhus resided in Sarnath near Varanasi. The monks learned and practised Dhamma intensively under the direct guidance of the Buddha; at the end of that period, all of them had attained the highest spiritual goal of Arahantship.
Read moreEvery year between the Full-moon days of May and July, Nalandians observe 7 weeks of Dhamma immersion where we often gather for meditation, chanting, Dhamma discussions, and communal service. This 7-week programme is called the ‘Gimhana Period’ at Nalanda.
Read moreReport by Thong Fee Shen | Photographs by Gan Jia Cheng
On Wednesday 25 June, devotees thronged Nalanda Centre to participate in the fifth meditation session of the on-going ‘Gimhāna Retreat’. Those who are new to meditation were guided by Bro. Tan in a separate class, while seasoned meditators sat in the Shrine Hall. After the group sitting, Bro. Tan gave an uplifting Dhamma teaching on “Being Positive” – one of the factors for achieving mental well-being.
Read moreOn Wednesday 28 May, devotees congregated at Nalanda Centre Sri Serdang to participate in the first meditation session of the 7-week Gimhāna Retreat. After meditation, Nalanda Founder Bro. Tan was invited to give a Dhamma talk.
Read moreOn 1 December, Ayya Susīla led the Bhāvanā Day (one-day meditation retreat) at Nalanda Centre. After the morning Pūja, Ayya Susīla delivered a profound and inspiring Dhamma talk themed “Returning to the Purity of Mind”. Ayya shared that one should not just focus on having clarity of mind, but also its purity through the cultivation of morality and wisdom.
Read moreArticle by Gan Jia Quan. Photographs by Gan Jia Cheng & See Hui Shien.
An annual 4-day retreat for Nalanda Dharma School facilitators was held from 2 – 5 November in Pulau Ketam, Selangor, with active participation by 16 facilitators and trainees. During the retreat, the School’s performance in 2013 were objectively reviewed, while the 2014 School structure and programmes were discussed.
Read moreOn Sunday 20 October, a group of 40 undergraduates from Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) held a one-day meditation camp at Nalanda Centre. The retreat started at 9am and ended at 10pm, and was led by Venerables Bhikshuni 持向 (Chi-Xiang) and Bhikshuni 继持 (Ji-Chi). University and college students regularly make use of Nalanda Centre for their programmes and activities. Sadhu anumodana
Read more9 days after Nalanda’s inspiring “Dhamma-Living Camp” in Genting Highlands, the joy still lingers on for the camp participants. With a renewed spirit and greater understanding about our spiritual development, we are eager to cultivate ourselves to be ‘better practitioners’ and ‘better friends’!
Read more"Truly inspiring!" That was the most oft-repeated comment by many participants at the Dhamma-Living Camp. After 4 days of joyous communal living, the 120 participants returned from Genting Highlands with renewed source of energy and a heightened sense of urgency to 'live in accordance to Dhamma'.
Read more