Sunday 5 June marked the beginning of the annual 7-week Gimhāna (Summer) Retreat, organised by Nalanda for the fifth consecutive year. This year’s retreat spans from 5 June to 20 July. Director of Nalanda Institute, Achariya Tan Siang Chye, heralded an uplifting start to the retreat by giving a talk on the Buddha as a ‘unique Teacher’, and also his ‘incomparable Teachings’.
Read moreOn Sunday 15 May, the Head of Department at Nalanda Institute Bro. Tong Siong Yeow, gave a talk on the ‘True Significance of Wesak’. It was a timely reminder of what the celebration of ‘Buddha Day’, which fell on 21 May, actually means.
Read moreOn Sunday 8 May, Achariya Vijaya Samarawickrama gave a talk on ‘Faith and Devotional Practice’. He explained that ‘faith’ in the context of Buddhism is not blind nor dogmatic, but is developed through gradual approach and proper understanding, which then gives rise to wisdom.
Read moreToday, Nalandians and devotees celebrated Mother’s Day in a special way to show our gratitude to all wonderful mothers who have sacrificed for their children out of compassion. There is no comparison to the dedication borne of maternal love. As children, we shall always remember our mothers’ unconditional love, and be filial to them.
Read moreOver the past few weeks, Nalanda members and devotees have been busy preparing for the most important event of the Buddhist calendar – the ‘Vesakha’ Full-moon day, commonly known in Malaysia as ‘Wesak Day’. Buddhists celebrate the Enlightenment of the Buddha on that occasion, which customarily falls on the first full-moon day in the month of May.
Read moreOn Sunday 24 April, Sis. Santi Cheang gave a talk on ‘Observing the 5 Precepts’ to participants of BPS 033 ‘Buddhist Practice & Devotion’ course. She explained that Precepts form the basis of morality for Buddhists. It strengthens our commitment to spiritual practice, and ensures a life of integrity and peace. Precepts are observed voluntarily by devotees; they are not commandments from the Buddha.
Read moreOn Sunday 17 April, Sister Buddhini Tan gave a talk on ‘Going for Refuge’ to participants of BPS 033 ‘Buddhist Practice & Devotion’ course. Sis. Buddhini explained that the practice of ‘Going for Refuge’ existed even before the Buddha’s time. It was customary for a follower to proclaim his or her faith in the teacher or a higher power.
Read moreOn Sunday 17 April, the Superintendent of Dharma Drum Malaysia, Venerable Bhikshuni Chang Zao (常藻法师), was invited to Nalanda to give a Mandarin Dhamma talk on ‘Correct Practices & Devotion’ for Buddhists (“正信的佛教是什么?”). She highlighted the essential teachings of Buddhism, and how it spread throughout the world.
Read moreOn Sunday 17 April, Nalanda founder Bro. Tan led a special service in memory of Sayādaw U Panditābhivamsa, who passed away a day earlier. The service began at 9.00am with meditation, followed by offerings and Pāli chanting. The 300-strong congregation then listened to an insightful talk by Bro. Tan, who started by asking rhetorically, “Do kings have suffering?”
Read moreOn Sunday 10 April, Achariya Vijaya Samarawickrama gave a talk on ‘Rites & Rituals’, which is part of the BPS 033 Buddhist Devotional Practice course. He explained how rites and rituals evolved with human development and had an important role in binding communities culturally.
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