Facilitators and students taking turns to participate in the robe washing today.

31 August is the anniversary of the late Venerable K. Sri Dhammananda’s passing; he was the Spiritual Adviser to Nalanda and the ‘Sanghanāyaka Thera’ of Malaysia.  Every year, on the Sunday* preceding 31 August, the upper robe (Pāli, “uttarāsanga”) of the late venerable will be taken out from its case, washed, and dried in the same morning.

According to tradition, a few male students are selected by Nalanda Dhamma School to perform the duty of washing the robe annually.  This morning, 4 facilitators and 6 students had the honour and privilege to do just that.  At 10am, the late venerable’s robe and belt were brought to Nalanda House.  There, the facilitators and students took turns to wash, dry, iron, and fold it.

The appointed Dhamma School facilitators and students paid respects at the K. Sri Dhammananda altar.

The robe was then taken out of its case and brought over to Nalanda House.

Student captains led the short walk from Nalanda Centre to Nalanda House opposite the road.

The robe will be left at Nalanda House until 31 August – which was designated the “K. Sri Dhammananda Memorial Day” since 2007.  On that anniversary day, it will be brought back to Nalanda Centre in a short procession full of dignified reverence.  This is a time-honoured cultural occasion that Nalandians look forward to every year.

The cleaned robe will be put back in its case and duly honoured.  That will be followed by a Dhamma talk and Sanghika Dāna.  Nalandians thereafter dedicate merits to the late Ven. Dhammananda out of deep gratitude for all he had done for the Buddha-Sāsana.

After washing, the robe was then put to dry in the morning sun.

Their duties partially done, Nalandians show reverence to the robe that symbolised our late teacher.

We cordially invite everyone to join us this Wednesday, 31 August at Nalanda Centre to participate in this lovely and meaningful ceremony.  The short but colourful procession begins at 9am to the sound of rhythmic gongs and drums.  All are welcome!

The facilitators and students of Nalanda Dhamma School who were given the honour of washing the robe this morning.

* NOTE :

If 31 August falls on a Sunday, the robe will be washed one day before that, i.e. on Saturday.