Pindacara (almsround) on Wesak Dawn - Fulfilling our duty as lay devotees by supporting Sangha members. Wesak at Nalanda was observed with a packed but meaningful programme from 4 to 6 May. This year saw a record turnout of more than 2,000 visitors over the weekend. Everyone came together with strong devotional spirit and added meaning to our celebration. The activities and events steered all of us towards the cultivation of loving-kindness, generosity and much peace.
Read moreAs part of Nalanda’s Wesak Programme, we were fortunate to have Mr. Vijaya Samarawickrama (also fondly known as Uncle Vijaya) give a Dhamma talk this morning on “Being Well Begins with Me”, in line with this year’s Wesak theme. “Be-ing” means to be here and now. It is dwelling in the present, letting go of the past and not worrying about a future that has not materialised.
Read moreDear Friends, Namo Buddhaya! Wesak Day commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and passing away of Lord Buddha. Let us observe this occasion mindfully, peacefully, with full gratitude and respect for our great Teacher. It is also a time for us to reflect on the sublime goodness of the Buddha and his teaching.
Read moreA Truly ‘Green’ Heritage Procession at Nalanda
The Wesak Procession held annually in Sri Serdang by Nalanda Buddhist Society is a truly unique experience! It is the only procession in Malaysia where the Buddharupam (image) is paraded on a wooden sedan and carried by 12 men taking turns. There is also a second Buddharupam ferried on a bahtera (boat), pulled by devotees along the 1.3km procession route. Devotees cover the route in 2,600 mindful steps, marking the 2,600th Anniversary of Buddhism this year.
Besides the sedan and bahtera, there is an assortment of colourful parasols, figurines and flags on parade, which are borne by devotees in traditional Nalandian uniform of sarong and white tops. Students of Nalanda Dharma School will also put up a spirited ‘Naga Dance’, accompanied by the beats of drums, gong and cymbals. The sights and sounds of the Nalandian procession rich in heritage is truly something to behold. It is also an event much anticipated and photographed; in fact, the procession was even featured on a Sri Lankan television programme on Wesak celebrations!
Being Well begins with Me !
圆满人生从自我起航
Wesak Day commemorates the three-fold events in the life of the Buddha – His Birth, His Enlightenment and His Passing Away. This year’s celebration marks the 2600th Anniversary of Buddhism. It was through the Buddha’s way of virtuous living and insightful practice that he developed the true understanding to gain liberation from suffering. His lofty attainment of Ultimate Peace was taught compassionately to benefit all beings.
In conjunction with the upcoming Wesak Day, Mr. Vijaya Samarawickrama, the Director of Nalanda Institute, conducted a 3-hour course on the "True Significance of WESAK", which aimed to better inform Buddhists on the right spirit and understanding of celebrating Wesak.
Read more“The practice of giving is universally recognised as one of the most basic human virtues, a quality that testifies to the depth of one’s humanity and one’s capacity for self-transcendence. In the teaching of the Buddha, too, the practice of giving claims a place of special eminence, one which singles it out as being in a sense the foundation and seed of spiritual development.”
Bhikkhu Bodhi
Dāna, the practice of giving, is often related to the quality of generosity (cāga). The highlight here is not so much the physical act of transferring an object from one’s hands to another’s, but rather the inward transformation that gradually takes place as we experience the joy of giving, naturally loosening the knots of greed and hate, allowing us to feel happier and more at peace within.
On Wesak Day, 5 May 2012, Nalanda is hosting several events to encourage the practice of giving and develop the virtue of generosity.
This is a featured-article on Wesak 2012, published in the New Straits Times, on Friday, 27 April 2012, Streets, pp 4. Happy Wesak!
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