What a wondrous weekend of hosting Sangha members at Nalanda!

If you had visited Nalanda Centre over the weekend, it is almost as if Nalanda Centre had transformed into a monastery!  Everywhere you looked, the sight of recluses donning robes of different brown hues with glistening-shaven heads brought serene and reverent energy to the building.

This rare sight arose because Nalanda had been honoured with the opportunity to host 27 monks and 11 nuns from various parts of Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand from 6 – 9 December.  The monastics had convened in Kuala Lumpur to attend an Asubha Workshop jointly organised by the Academy of Silent Mentor and Sāsanārakkha Buddhist Sanctuary.  It was a wondrous opportunity for both male and female Nalanda members and volunteers to support Sangha members personally by hosting, serving, fetching and making offerings.

Welcoming bhikkhus from Sāsanārakkha Buddhist Sanctuary (SBS).

Welcoming Luang Por Nusin Sujitto (45 vassas) and two other Thai monks from Dhamma Bodhiyan, Tanjong Piandang, Perak.

Receiving Malaysian and Burmese bhikkhus from Nandaka Vihara, Bukit Mertajam, Penang.

Welcoming Ven. Ālokavaṃsa and his entourage of bhikkhus and sameneras from various parts of Indonesia.

Welcoming Sayalays from Indonesia who had travelled for this workshop together with Ven. Ālokavaṃsa.

Joyfully welcoming Ven. Ariyadhammika back to Nalanda Centre after he had visited the workshop venue.

We also had the opportunity to learn from their candid sharings and draw deep inspiration from their conduct and how they lived together harmoniously; despite hailing from different countries and traditions, we witnessed the Sangha blending together like milk and water in the way they interacted and expressed their respects.  The last phrase of Dhammapada verse 194 truly rings true : “Samaggānaṃ tapo sukho – Happy is the unity of the disciplined ones”.

We thank Ven. Ariyadhammika and all members of the Sangha for giving us this precious opportunity to come into contact with samanas (ascetics) and personally support them in their spiritual journey.  May the Sangha members continue to progress in their path of Dhamma until they attain their ultimate goal of Nibbāna.

Opportunity to offer breakfast dāna to the residing monks.

Opportunity to offer breakfast dāna to the residing nuns.

Kappiyas personally attending to the needs of the Sangha members.

Team of male kappiyas.

Team of female kappiyas.

Volunteers preparing strained juice for tea time.

Candid discussions on the Dhamma and spiritual experiences.

Nalanda members sending off Ven. Ariyadhammika and all Sangha members with deep reverence and gratitude.

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