Today is the full-moon day of Asalha month, which marks the occasion when the Buddha first taught the Dhamma after His Enlightenment. He spoke about the ‘Four Noble Truths’ – of ‘Dukkha’ (suffering); its causes; its cessation; and the Path to its cessation – to His first five disciples at Isipatana. That sermon which the Buddha gave became known as the famed ‘Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta’ – the ‘Discourse on turning the Wheel of Dhamma’.
Read moreOn Wesak full-moon ‘Buddha Day’, which fell on 21 May this year, Nalanda founder Bro. H. S. Tan gave an insightful and profound Dhamma talk to commemorate the most important day of the year for Buddhists. This auspicious day also marks the start of the Buddhist Era (B. E.) 2560, marking the 2,560th anniversary since the Buddha’s Parinibbāna (passing away).
Read moreToday marks the start of the holy month of Vesakha. This evening, Nalanda Centre will be hosting the Vesakha New-moon Uposatha Service beginning at 8.00pm. We shall observe this spiritual occasion with offerings, chanting, meditation, and Dhamma sharing. The best way to honour of our Great Teacher – the Buddha, is to enhance our efforts to learn and practise the Dhamma. We welcome everyone to participate actively in Nalanda’s upcoming learning programmes.
Read moreTomorrow is the New-moon day for the month of ‘Vesakha’. Thus, we are just two weeks away from the most important day in the Buddhist calendar – Vesakha Full-moon ‘Buddha Day’, also commonly known in Malaysia as ‘Wesak Day’.
Read moreOn 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:
Read moreOn 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.
Read moreOn Thursday 7 April, Bro. Tan shared with us the story of one of Sri Lanka’s great Buddhist kings – King Dutthagamani – who is mentioned in the Mahavamsa, the Great Chronicles of Sri Lanka. Besides defeating the enemies of Sri Lanka, King Dutthagamani is remembered for being instrumental in the development and preservation of Buddhism on the island as well as for the building of great Buddhist stupas, expanding many temples, and supporting the Sangha during his reign.
Read moreOn Wednesday 23 March, Bro. Tan gave a teaching during the Full-moon Uposatha Service. He told a story about the two kinds of search – the ‘noble search’ and the ‘ignoble search’. At the time of the Buddha, a group of youths had gone to amuse themselves in a park; and while they were immersed in play, thieves absconded with their valuables. The youths, realising that their valuables had been stolen, went all over the place in search of those thieves.
Read moreOn Sunday 24 January, Sis. Sandy Lim gave a Dhamma sharing on Sāmaggī (concord). Sāmaggī is crucial because when there is harmony and unity in a community, it will grow strong and prosper, and there will be peace and goodwill for all to enjoy.
Read moreIn conjunction with Nalanda’s ‘Education Day’ and Uposatha New-moon day on 11 December, the Chairman of Nalanda Education Team, Achariya Vijaya Samarawickrama, gave a Dhamma talk at Nalanda Centre. Achariya Vijaya’s talk was on the ‘Noble Eightfold Path – the Path to Wisdom’. He said we had two choices: we could either choose the ‘Right Path‘ which led to wisdom and happiness, or the wrong one which led to ignorance and suffering.
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