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In the 9th Nalanda National Members’ Convention last week, the Dhamma community came together upholding the spirit of ‘Kalyana mittata” – spiritual and admirable friendships. It was heartening to witness everyone joyfully offering their sincere support to kalyana mittas with care and encouragement through the host of learning sessions and team activities. May we all continue to cultivate spiritual friendships by being good friends to one another and for the well-being of many. Sadhu anumodana.

Just a few days ago from 9 to 11 December, over 90 Nalanda members from Serdang and all three branches gathered at Wisdom Park for the 9th Nalanda National Members’ Convention. In these 3 days of learning and training, members better aligned to the Society’s direction of progressing towards a Buddhist missionary. We thank the Organising Committee, members and volunteers for their efforts and support in rejuvenating our spiritual vigour and committing to this noble endeavour. Buddha-sāsanam ciram tithattu.

On Monday 11 December, Nalanda members had the priviledge of welcoming Ven. Ayya Santinī, Abbess of Wisma Kusalayani in Bandung, to Wisdom Park for the first time. This timely visit during the Society’s 9th National Members’ Convention, presented a wonderful platform for members from across Malaysia to ask questions pertaining to their practice and missionary calling, in a Dhamma chat with Ayya Santinī, a missionary herself.

Nalanda ‘Education Day’ is observed on 11 December annually, and this year marks the 10th anniversary of the Nalanda “Education Philosophy”. This model which governs our personal and organisational development and programmes calls for a holistic approach in education, balancing and combining knowledge, skills, values and culture, hence leading to integral development of people. Let us each become a beacon to light the Dhamma path for the prolongation of the Buddha-Sāsana. Happy Nalanda Education Day!

In the last 2 days, Nalanda members have been deeply exploring the theme “Towards a Buddhist Missionary” at the 9th Nalanda National Members’ Convention being held at Wisdom Park. This culminated in a forum this afternoon, to learn from the personal life stories and motivations of three dedicated members who have each persevered in their Dhamma learning and service to the Buddhist community. We thank our panelists for their inspiring sharings and rejoice in their wise reflections. Sadhu anumodana.

From 9 to 11 December, Nalanda members from all over Malaysia will congregate at Wisdom Park for the 9th National Members’ Convention. The 3-day convention will discuss issues pertaining to Dhamma-learning, practice and our education mission. We look forward to hosting our kalyana mittas and wish everyone a safe journey to Kuala Kubu Bahru.

Just 2 days ago on Friday 1 December, Nalanda had the priviledge of hosting Ajahn Jayanto at Wisdom Park, whose last visit with us was exactly a decade ago at Sri Serdang. We thank Ajahn Jayanto for spending time to visit us again on this trip to Malaysia. May Ajahn be blessed with good health and success in his noble endeavours as well as in his Dhamma work in Temple, New Hampshire. Sukhi hontu.

On Sunday 19 November, 35 yogis and volunteers have just completed a 7-day Meditation Retreat with Ven. Sujiva at Wisdom Park. In this past week, yogis have been ardent in their efforts by observing noble silence and adhering to the hourly sitting and walking from the early hours in the morning until the late evening, to hone their mindfulness and see things as they really are. We are grateful to the organising team and volunteers for helping to make the retreat a success.

From 2 to 4 November, Firefly Mission Singapore descended upon Wisdom Park to learn and reflect on the Buddha’s Teachings with good friends. We rejoice with our friends from Firefly for their keen learning, and also in their initiatives to effect so many educational and social improvements for communities around the world. Our appreciation goes out to all of you for your camaraderie over the years, and we look forward to hosting you again soon. Sadhu anumodana.

Last Saturday 4 November, participants of the Fellowship Undergraduate Network (F.U.N.) combined their fourth learning session with performing service at Wisdom Park. The university students worked together and supported each other in making quick work of turning around the facilities for the next two programmes at the educational campus. We thank F.U.N for their service and look forward to hosting your next session which will be held this Saturday 11 November at Nalanda Centre. See you this weekend!