Sharing

22 May 2016

Importance of keeping precepts

On Wednesday 4 May, Sis. Buddhini Tan gave a sharing on the “Importance of keeping the Five Precepts” after the weekly group sitting.  She related a story about how a young trader stopped himself from killing his wife and her lover through mindfulness, and who later even became a monk.  The monk practised loving-kindness for many years and finally freed himself totally from grief, anger and enmity.

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17 May 2016

Every stone tells a story

In archaeology, every brick or stone seems to tell a story.  And so it was when well-known Nepali archaeologist Dr. Basanta Bidari took to the podium and delivered a special lecture at Nalanda Centre on Thursday, 5 May.  Dr. Basanta shared his recent discoveries in the last two years at the ancient site of Kapilavatthu – the hometown of Siddhatha Gotama, who later became the Buddha.

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27 April 2016

Reasons for visiting a Buddhist centre

On Thursday 21 April, Sis. Ruby Tan gave a sharing on the purpose and benefits of visiting a Buddhist centre in conjunction with the Full-moon Uposatha Service at Nalanda Centre.  She explained that although people go to temples for various purposes, a knowledgeable devotee may visit a centre or temple for the following reasons:

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15 April 2016

Building a strong community

On Saturday 9 April, Nalandians from the Klang Valley gathered for their monthly Members’ Day meeting to deliberate and discuss on matters involving the Society.  During the gathering, Nalanda founder Bro. Tan shared about the Buddha’s teaching to Venerable Ananda in the Mahāparinibbāna Sutta (DN 16) on the conditions which would contribute to the progress of a community.

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13 April 2016

Campers attend reunion at Nalanda

On Sunday 10 April, 70 participants of the Dhamma Living Camp 2016 which was held last month at Genting Highlands, gathered at Nalanda Centre for a cheerful ‘reunion’.  It was a happy occasion as the campers greeted each other with great warmth and joy.  Participants said that their experiences at the camp had made a huge difference in their lives, and given their spiritual practice a boost.

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12 April 2016

Keeping Eight Precepts on Uposatha days

On Thursday 7 April, Bro. Gan gave a sharing at the New-moon Uposatha Service on the significance of keeping the Eight Precepts on Uposatha days. He referred to the Visakhuposatha Sutta, a discourse given by the Buddha to Lady Visakha, a generous female lay-disciple.

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31 March 2016

Observing ‘Cheng Beng’ meritoriously

Although ‘Cheng Beng’ (or ‘Qing Ming’, 清明节) was not originally a Buddhist tradition, it has nevertheless  been observed by Chinese Buddhists for centuries.  The Buddha taught that our duties towards parents and relatives do not end with their death.  After their demise, we should continue to honour them by performing wholesome, meritorious and noble deeds, and thereafter dedicate merits to them.

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28 March 2016

Harmony and peaceful co-existence

On Sunday 27 March, Sis. Joyce gave a sharing on the spirit of Sāmaggī, explaining that it is the spirit of harmony, peaceful co-existence, and having inner tranquility.  When there is harmony in the community, there will be goodwill and peace, and the community will prosper and be strong.

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13 March 2016

‘Bhāvanā’ a fundamental daily activity

On Sunday 13 March, Sis. Buddhini Tan shared with us the importance of daily meditation as Buddhists.  She explained that practising Sīla (Morality) and Dāna (Generosity) alone were not enough as the Buddha also taught Bhāvanā (Mental cultivation) – leading to the purification of our minds through meditation.

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11 March 2016

Purify our actions through reflection

On Sunday 6 March Sis. Santi Cheang gave a sharing based on the Buddha’s advice to Rāhula at Ambalaṭṭikā  in the Ambalatthikārāhulovāda Sutta (Majjhima Nikāya 61).  In the sutta, the Buddha admonishes his young son, Venerable Rāhula, on why one should never utter a falsehood, not even in jest.  The Buddha exhorts Rāhula:  “So, too, Rāhula, when one is not ashamed to tell a deliberate lie, there is no evil, I say, that one would not do”.

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