About Wisdom Park
Objective
Developing competent Dhamma teachers to educate children, youth and adult communities is essential for the growth of Malaysian Buddhism in the long-run. This effort must be supplemented by the training of dynamic leaders to lead and manage Buddhist organisations effectively. Thus, the objective of Wisdom Park is to make available facilities and programmes to :
- Educate and train competent lay Dhamma teachers;
- Develop future Buddhist community leaders; and
- Propagate Buddhist values, culture and practices to the public.
Wisdom Park Logo
The Wisdom Park logo comprises of an arch and a wheel. The arch is a symbol of the ancient Gupta dynasty. The circle and fire at its top symbolises bhuri (knowledge) and pañña (wisdom) that leads to Buddhahood. The nagas at the sides are important symbols of South-East Asia’s agrarian identity. Each naga represents an aspect of South-East Asia: one for its maritime activities, and another for its mainland regions. Together, they signify the spread of Buddhism from India to South-East Asia.
The 24-spoke Dhammacakka (‘Wheel of Dhamma’) was inspired by Emperor Asoka Moriya’s design. Besides being Nalanda Buddhist Society’s official logo, it also represents the essence of the Buddha’s teachings of ‘Paticca-Samuppada’ (Dependent Origination). The 8 petals of the lotus at the middle of the Dhammacakka represents the ‘Noble Eightfold Path’ which leads to the ultimate realisation of Dhamma.
Wisdom Park Emblem
The purpose of Buddhist education is the attainment of Wisdom and Purity. The Buddha taught that attaining Wisdom is key to liberation from ignorance.
Thus, the Wisdom Park emblem combines three key Buddhist icons – the colour blue (‘nīla’) symbolising spiritual knowledge; the colour orange (‘mañjettha’) symbolising wisdom; and the lotus flower symbolising purity.
The lighter shading on the left symbolises the rising sun in the East – representing the appearance of Wisdom and the banishment of ignorance from our minds.
The Nalanda Legacy
Nalanda Buddhist Society was named after the famous Nālandā Māhavihāra of ancient India – the world’s first ‘university’ built in the 5th Century CE. For nearly seven centuries, it attracted thousands of scholars from across Asia to study medicine, philosophy and religion at its illustrious faculties.
‘Nalanda’ means the ‘giving of knowledge and wisdom’. Thus, it is apt that Nalanda Buddhist Society is today acknowledged as a leading Buddhist educational institution in Malaysia.
Since our establishment in 2003, Nalanda Buddhist Society has been organising many courses, seminars, conferences, youth camps and retreats throughout the country. Nalanda’s community-based programmes are provided free-of-charge, in line with our charitable mission.
A quick guide to Wisdom Park
It is an integrated educational hub comprising facilities for teaching and learning Buddha-Dhamma.
In Hulu Selangor District, 60km north of Kuala Lumpur City Centre.
Nalanda views this project as a necessity for the preservation and development of Buddha-Sāsana in Malaysia, by making available two important factors for its growth: good teachers and good leaders.
Currently in Malaysia, the focus is mainly on conducting rituals; there is a lack of appreciation on Dhamma. Many people are ‘practising’ based on their own beliefs and without proper understanding.
There are many ‘pseudo-Buddhists’ with misleading teachings and this is causing plenty of confusion among the public about ‘Buddhist’ doctrines and practice. This unsatisfactory state of affairs can only be alleviated with proper Buddhist education that is widespread, impactful and effective. The way we can achieve this is by training a large number of competent and inspiring Dhamma teachers – enough for every state and district in Malaysia.
We need educated Buddhists in this country to prevent Buddhism from declining. In the past, Buddhism vanished from India due to the lack of proper understanding among followers. The Malaysian population has matured and it is time for Buddhists to enhance and deepen our understanding of Dhamma, under systematic and progressive guidance.
The park will be equipped with various facilities for Dhamma learning, meditation, wellness, communal and family well-being activities, and monastic residence to cater for different aspects of personal and community development. With this integrated holistic educational facility, more effective leaders, educators and missionaries will be trained to support the propagation of Buddha’s teaching throughout Malaysia.
Phase 1 of Wisdom Park is now completed, consisting of 3 guest lodges, a management centre, pavilions, and core infrastructures such as roads, drainage, and perimeter fencing. With the structures now completed, interior furnishings are taking place while the Management is now setting up the facilities, administration and systems to make the place functional.
Several small-scale training programmes have been conducted to train officers and volunteers. In the near future when the facilities are fully functional, Wisdom Park will be able to accommodate various forms of programmes suitable for the training of good leaders and teachers such as camps, workshops, retreats and more.
The facilities and administration for Wisdom Park are still in the process of being set up. Kindly contact our Nalanda Office for the latest status on using Wisdom Park.