Notice: New Website

Dear friends,

Effective 1 May 2012, Nalanda updates will be posted on our new fresh and user-friendly website www.nalanda.org.my.


The Management,
Nalanda Buddhist Society

Inviting You to Nalanda Day – 9th Anniversary Celebration

1 May 2012 marks Nalanda’s 9th Anniversary and we are delighted to invite everyone to join us to celebrate this significant milestone from 9am to 12pm at Nalanda Centre. 

On this day, Nalandians will gather to renew our vigour towards accomplishing our noble mission - to continuously learn and practise the Dhamma to achieve well-being and happiness, and to energetically serve the community by providing educational opportunities based on Buddha-Dhamma. 

In addition, we will also witness the Installation Ceremony of our newly-elected Management Committee, the launching of Nalanda’s new website, uniform, “Nalanda-Macro” and van.  There is much “new” news to share indeed!  Do come and be a part of it!

28 April 2012 - BPS068 True Significance of WESAK

In conjunction with the coming Wesak Day, Mr. Vijaya Samarawickrama conducted the 3-hour short course on "True Significance of WESAK" which aimed to better inform the Buddhists on the true spirit of celebrating or observing Wesak.

"By knowing the Buddha's greatness and honourable personality, it is only befitting that we celebrate this Sacred Wesak Day mindfully.  We make it an occasion to learn, practise and understand Buddhism's lofty ideals, which highlight our potential for the highest contentment, peace and happiness" ~ 'The Significance of Wesak' information leaflet published by Nalanda Institute, 2008

Let us encourage our family members, relatives and friends to make this Wesak Day a meaningful day, for the well-being and happiness of oneself and others.

Wesak Series: Generosity Begins with Me!

“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.

• Piṇḍacāra – Almsround (7 – 8am)
DID YOU KNOW that piṇḍa in the Pali language means “a lump of food, especially of alms”?  Pāta refers to “bowl” whereas cāra is “to move about”.  Hence piṇḍapāta is “food received in the alms bowl (of the bhikkhu)” whereas piṇḍacāra means “almsround, wandering for alms”.

Do come and participate in this meaningful act of offering food to the Sangha on this auspicious day!

Piṇḍacāra on Wesak Day, 2011

• Blood Donation Campaign (10am – 5pm)
We take it for granted when we are in good health, yet, for those who are sick and are in need of blood, it is a matter of life and death.  There is no better time than this Wesak period to GIVE LIFE and perform a selfless act by donating blood to someone whose life may depend on it. 

If you are in good health and would like to practise giving, come and help someone who is ill get well by giving one pint of blood during this Wesak Day!

• Mass Food Offering (6 – 7pm)
Everyone is invited to contribute food, and practise serving the food!  This is a wonderful opportunity for us to come together as a Buddhist community, and enjoy engaging in meaningful service with family, friends and neighbours.  Volunteers are welcome to join in the preparation from 4pm.

Mass Food Offering during Wesak 2011

COME AND JOIN US in the practice of giving, and rejoice with the positive action.  If you would like to find out more about Nalanda’s Wesak programme or sign up to be a volunteer, please contact Sis. Buddhini at 012-295 5245 or Sis. Nandini / Sis. Sunanda at 03-8938 1500.

Press Coverage on Wesak 2012

This is a featured-article on Wesak 2012,

published in the New Straits Times,

on Friday, 27 April 2012,

Streets, pp 4.

Happy Wesak!

培养阅读的好习惯 - 你今天读了书吗?

书名：智慧100——消除烦恼的方法

作者：圣严法师

ISBN:  978-7-5613-4053-0

出版：陕西师范大学出版社

书籍内容：

第一篇   智慧之眼

第二篇   种福有福

第三篇   假戏真演

第四篇   不死之药

佛说的法都是智慧的语言，

是从佛的大觉智海中流出；

是从佛的大悲愿海中流出。

智慧的语言，清凉自在；

慈悲的语言，温馨可爱。

为我们从烦恼中解除困扰，

为我们从迷茫中指点出路。

在我们忧愁时给予希望，

在我们彷徨时给予引导，

在我们恐惧时给予鼓励，

在我们得意忘形时给予当头棒喝。

以上的偈颂叙述伟大的佛陀用智慧破除烦恼，用慈爱和谐社会，用法语滋润心灵。

卫塞节就在一个星期后，忙碌中不忘修持，让我们一起忆念佛陀的慈悲与智慧。

借此Nalanda佛教会欢迎大家一起参与我们5月4日至6日以“圆满人生从自我起航”为卫塞节主题的系列活动，过一个充实有意义的卫塞节。

祝：福慧双修

Wesak Series: Physical Well-Being Begins with Me!

HEALTH SCREENING
6 May 2012
10am to 5pm (Sunday)

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Happy Wesak!

Our bodies are like machines that are subject to wear and tear, and like all machinery need scheduled maintenance, we need regular check-ups too.

To find out the state of your health, there will be a health screening session from 10am to 5pm on Sunday, 6 May 2012 at Nalanda Centre, Sri Serdang.  Come along with your family and friends!  There will be volunteer doctors and nurses who will advise you on how to maintain physical well-being and good health.

For details of the Wesak programme, please click here.

We also welcome everyone to volunteer your service during the 3-day-2-night Wesak Observance at Nalanda.  Kindly contact Sis. Buddhini at 012-295 5245 or Sis. Nandini / Sis. Sunanda at 03-8938 1500.

With metta,
Sis. Buddhini Tan
Honorary Secretary
Nalanda Buddhist Society

24 April 2012 - Official Nalanda Youth Centre Formation Meeting

A group of Nalanda youths took up the challenge to form the Nalanda Youth Centre (NYC) under the guidance of Bro. Tan, Sis. Sunanda, Bro. Aggavamsa and Bro. Aggaphala.  The official NYC formation meeting was held on the 24th April 2012 at Nalanda Centre.  The meeting was attended by 14 youths and 3 advisors. 

Remarks by advisor, Bro. Aggavamsa.

 A beautiful meeting,

 Happy in the beginning,

 Happy in the middle,

Happy in the end.

Weekly Programme Update (23 - 29 April 2012)

BPS 068: True Significance of Wesak

Date: 28 April 2012, Saturday

Time: 3pm - 6pm

Venue: Nalanda Centre

Conducted by: Mr. Vijaya Samarawickrama

Participants will learn to appreciate the true meaning of Wesak and how to properly observe this noble day.  Please call 03-8938 1500 to register with Nalanda volunteers at the Management Office.

Service Sunday

Date: 29 April 2012, Sunday

Time: 9am - 11am

Venue: Nalanda Centre

We will begin with sitting meditation, puja and chanting before the Wesak Volunteer Briefing.   Helpers are needed in various areas of preparation for the important day.   We also need volunteers on 4, 5 & 6 May 2012 during Nalanda's Wesak programme to ensure that everyone has a positive and memorable experience. 

If you would like to offer your help for this notable work, please contact  Sis. Nandini at 03-8938 1500.  For more details on the Wesak programme, please click here.

* Please take note that the Pindacara @ Happy Garden scheduled for 28 April 2012 is cancelled due to foreseeable traffic congestion.  We will announce the details of the next Pindacara @ Happy Garden in our future communications.


Upcoming Event

Bhavana Retreat

7-Day-6-Night Meditation Retreat at Nalanda Centre

Start Date: 3 June 2012, Sunday, 2pm

End Date: 9 June 2012, Saturday, 5pm 

Everyone is welcome to join this retreat and be guided by Venerable Yogacara Rahula on how to practise meditation.  To register, please e-mail your full name, gender, mailing address and handphone number to bhavana@nalanda.org.my

22 April 2012 - Service Sunday

Offerings to the Triple Gem

Dhamma Talk by Sis. Yee Yong

 Devotees listening attentively

A token of appreciation presented by Bro. Lee

Fly Our Buddhist Flag!

The International Buddhist Flag symbolises faith, global unity and world peace.  When we see it, we see the Buddhist ideal of loving-kindness and wisdom encompassed in the colours of the flag.  It serves as a reminder for all of us to tread the Noble Path mindfully and energetically, with deep gratitude to the Buddha, our Great Teacher.

In conjunction with the 2,600th Anniversary of Buddhism, Nalanda has prepared 1,000 pieces of superb quality locally made Buddhist flags for devotees to purchase and display at home.  Wesak Day is just around the corner now, so with faith, joy and blessings, let's Fly Our Buddhist Flag!  Get one from Nalanda Centre in Sri Serdang or Nalanda Book Cafe in Sri Petaling today!  

Buddhist flag displayed in full glory at a devotee's house

Have you read a Dhamma book today?

Title : Don’t Look Down on the Defilements, They will Laugh at You
Author : Venerable Tejaniya

Publisher : Auspicious Affinity

Topic : Meditation 

 Contents :

What are defilements?

Mindfulness meditation (Satipatthana)

Dhamma discussions

Mindfulness gains momentum

Wisdom

Food for thought

Keep practising

What is the right attitude for meditation?

“One thing you need to remember and understand is that you cannot leave the mind alone. It needs to be watched consistently. If you do not look after your garden it will overgrow with weeds. If you do not watch your mind, defilements will grow and multiply. The mind does not belong to you but you are responsible for it.”

Being Well begins with Me!

Wesak Day commemorates the three-fold events in the life of the Buddha – His Birth, Enlightenment and Passing Away; and this year’s celebration marks the auspicious 2,600th Anniversary of Buddhism.  

Through the Buddha’s way of virtuous living and his insightful practice, He developed true understanding to gain liberation from suffering and attained ultimate peace.  He taught the world the ‘Way to Peace’, so that humankind can live free from strife and suffering.

“Being well” means ensuring our physical, mental and spiritual health.  Let this significant day be a reminder for all of us to follow the noble teachings of the Awakened One. 

Nalanda Buddhist Society will observe Wesak at Nalanda Centre and NEO @ Happy Garden with a series of programmes, including Dhamma talks, Sanghika-dāna, pindacāra, meditation, blood donation campaign and the Buddha Jayanti Exhibition. The highlight of the observance will be a “Night of Peaceful Celebration” on Wesak Night, 5 May, at 7.30pm.  All are welcome to join us in the celebration and cultivation of inner peace!

Wesak at Nalanda Centre, Sri Serdang

Wesak at Nalanda Education & Outreach (NEO) Centre, Happy Garden

Weekly Programme Update (16 - 22 April 2012)

Service Sunday

Date: 22 April 2012, Sunday

Time: 9am - 11am

Venue: Nalanda Centre

Topic: Buddha, Our Great Teacher

Speaker: Sis. Tan Yee Yong

What are the qualities of a good teacher?  What duties should students perform to their teachers?  Ultimately, the Buddha is the Great Teacher who taught us the path to liberation.  Come and join us this Sunday to reflect together on this topic!  We will begin the Service with sitting meditation, puja and chanting to quieten our minds before the Dhamma talk. 

Volunteers Needed for Wesak!

As Wesak Day approaches, we are stepping up our preparations and help is needed in various areas to get everything ready for the big day.  Active times are 7pm-10pm on Tuesdays-Fridays, and 1pm-3pm on Saturdays & Sundays.  

We also need volunteers on 4, 5 & 6 May 2012 during Nalanda's Wesak programme to ensure the activities run smoothly and all devotees have a meaningful and positively impactful experience.  

If you would like to offer your help for this commendable work, please contact the Management Office at 03-8938 1500.  For more details on the Wesak programme, please click here.

Upcoming Events (registration is required)

BPS 068: True Significance of Wesak

Date: 28 April 2012, Saturday

Time: 3pm - 6pm

Venue: Nalanda Centre

Conducted by: Mr. Vijaya Samarawickrama

Everyone is welcome to join this workshop and learn to appreciate the real meaning of Wesak.  Please click here for online registration.

Bhavana Retreat

7-Day-6-Night Meditation Retreat at Nalanda Centre

Start Date: 3 June 2012, Sunday, 2pm

End Date: 9 June 2012, Saturday, 5pm 

All are invited to participate in this retreat and learn how to meditate from Venerable Yogacara Rahula.  To register, please e-mail your full name, gender, mailing address and handphone number to bhavana@nalanda.org.my

15 April 2012 - Service Sunday & Wesak Preparation

Offerings to the Triple Gem

Ayasma Dr. T. Sangharatana leading the chanting

Joyous delight in the Dhamma

Devotees listening attentively

Lunch dana

Volunteers working diligently in preparation for Wesak