Youths listening intently to start the new year well.

On Sunday 5 January 2025, Nalanda Youths began the year with spiritually at the first Youth Sunday Service of 2025 with Sis. Sunanda Ong who shared about two types of search – the Ignoble Search and the Noble Search.  One embarks on the Noble Search having seen that we are subject to birth, aging, illness, death, sorrow and defilement, thus one seeks happiness in what is unborn, aging-less, illness-less, deathless, sorrowless and undefiled.

She advised us to maintain three purposes in life. These are 1) temporal purpose – living comfortably and achieving well-being in life 2) spiritual purpose – doing good deeds and purifying the mind from defilements 3) the highest purpose – realising the end of suffering.

Making offerings at the start of the service.

Undertaking the Five Precepts and Three Refuges.

Making their aspirations after reflecting on what they would like to progress this year.

Making offering of lights together with their aspirations.

Everyone then reflect and shared about their own aspirations based on the four kinds of aspirations or resolve (cattāro adhitthānāni) being Wisdom (‘Paññā’), Truth (‘Sacca’), Relinquishment of Unwholesome Qualities / Liberality (‘Cāga’), and Tranquillity (‘Upasama’).

Making offering of lights, the youths made aspirations and resolved to put in efforts towards realising these aspirations throughout the year.  We extend our thanks to Sis. Sunanda for her guidance and rejoice over the learning spirit of the youths.  May everyone have a fruitful and inspiring year ahead. Sadhu.