Ven. Dhammavuddho Māhathera giving Dhamma teaching on Uposatha Day at Nalanda Centre.

On Sunday 19 June, Nalanda was honoured by the presence of Venerable Dhammavuddho Māhathera, founder and abbot of Vihāra Buddha Gotama in Temoh, Perak, to give a talk on the ‘Qualities of a Wise man’. His talk coincided with the third week of Nalanda’s Gimhāna Retreat, and thus it was an inspiring sight to see the Dhamma Hall packed with devotees who came to listen to the venerable in person.

Part of the large congregation listening attentively to Ven. Dhammavuddho’s talk.

Venerable Dhammavuddho said that from the Buddhist point of view, a fool cannot tell who is wise or foolish.  Whereas a wise person is able to differentiate the wise from the fool, because he knows the characters of the wise, something which the fool lacks.  The wise are known through their noble thoughts, speech and conduct.

On the contrary, fools carry out evil deeds, speak unwholesomely, and maintain bad thoughts.   They do not restrain themselves from the ten unwholesome deeds, i.e. the three harmful bodily actions of killing, stealing, and sexual misconduct; the four harmful verbal actions – lying, slanderous talk, vulgar speech, and idle gossip; and the three harmful thoughts of ill-will, covetousness, and cruelty.

Venerable’s talk on the ‘Qualities of a Wise man’ coincided with the third week of Gimhāna Retreat.

The wise man who acts the opposite way with wholesome conduct will reap five benefits:- (1) He is happy here and now; (2) He has no remorse; (3) He is free from fear; (4) He has good rebirth; (5) If he comes back as human, he is born wealthy and lives a comfortable life.  These benefits cannot be attained merely through vows, prayers, or wishful thinking.

To gain wisdom, one needs to put in effort by (1) Associating with wise men; (2) Learning the true Dhamma; (3) Focused attention when practising Dhamma; and (4) Practise in accordance with the Dhamma.

Devotees offering lunch dāna to the visiting venerable monks.

Devotees had a joyful and enlightening time listening to the talk, and were grateful to Ven. Dhammavuddho for his kind sharing for the attainment of ultimate happiness.  Lunch dāna was later offered to the visiting venerable monks before their departure back to Temoh.  Sadhu!

After the lunch dāna, the venerables had a chat with Bro. Tan and Nalanda President Sis. Evelyn.

Bro. Tan leading Ven. Dhammavuddho and Ven. Khantipalo on a tour of Nalanda Centre (left) and Youth Centre (centre). He also briefed them on the Wisdom Park project (right).