Nalanda Education & Outreach - NEO Centre, Sungai Petani

【NALANDA 双溪大年卫塞节庆典】

一年一度的卫塞节即将来临，是全球佛教徒纪念佛陀证悟成道的伟大日子。

今年 Nalanda 的卫塞节庆典主题为“导向智慧与慈悲的人生”。我们欢喜邀请您与亲友们，一同前往 Nalanda 双溪大年教育中心参与卫塞节庆祝活动，共度一个充满意义与心灵提升的佛陀日。

精彩活动内容如下：

【华语佛法开示】
5月30日（星期六）晚上8时至9时30分

【华语佛法开示】
5月31日（星期日）上午9时30分至 11时30分

【捐血运动】
5月31日（星期日）下午1时至4时
报名链接：https://forms.gle/G1ogYWnafyPWT9qw8

更多详情，请浏览官方网站：www.wesak.org.my

LEARNING BRAHMA-VIHĀRA WITH ACH. TAN SIANG CHYE

On 17 and 18 April, Nalanda Sungai Petani hosted a two-day Brahma-Vihāra Workshop led by Achariya Tan Siang Chye to deepen our understanding of the Four Heavenly States. He explained the importance of practicing Loving-kindness, Compassion, Sympathetic Joy, and Equanimity which enables us to live with a wise and open heart.

When we cultivate kindness, we become less reactive and more able to respond without harm to others. When we practise compassion, we learn to care deeply and act meaningfully. By rejoicing in others’ success, we free ourselves from jealousy. And with equanimity, we stay steady amidst life’s ups and downs.

Ach. Siang Chye also emphasised gratitude— a practice that shifts our focus from what we lack to what we have received. It strengthens relationships, heals the heart, and brings lasting contentment.

When these qualities grow within us, they not only transform our own lives but also positively impact those around us.

We are grateful to Ach. Siang Chye for his guidance. May we continue to nurture a boundless heart—being kind, compassionate, joyful, and balanced—for the benefit of all beings.

12TH NATIONAL NALANDA MEMBERS' CONVENTION
1 – 3 May 2026 | Wisdom Park, Kuala Kubu Bharu

Next weekend, Nalanda members will convene in Wisdom Park to align ourselves with Nalanda’s educational philosophy and discuss how we can serve others while cultivating ourselves in a more sustainable manner.

We look forward to welcoming you back to our spiritual home!

HOSTING VEN. AYYA CĀLĀ THERI
Friday, 22 May | 8.30am – 10.00pm | NEO Sungai Petani

Nalanda Sungai Petani Branch warmly invites you to a day of Dhamma learning and meditation practice with Ven. Ayya Cālā Therī.

One-day Meditation Practice | 8.30am – 8.00pm
Public Dhamma Talk | 8.00pm – 10.00pm

Nalanda 双溪大年分会将主办一日禅修。课程包含佛陀功德随念、慈心禅及死随念。晚上8点将有开放给大众的佛学讲座。欢迎大家一起来学习。

一日禅修 | 上午8.30 – 晚上8.00
佛学讲座 | 晚上8.00 – 10.00

PROFILE OF VEN. AYYA CĀLĀ THERI 讲师简介：
Ven. Ayya Cālā Therī 来自马来西亚柔佛州，是仰光 Aggācāra（圣行） 国际南转教育与禅修中心和 圣行 国际学院的创始人。她在马来西亚教授巴利文、阿毗达摩和禅修。目前，她正在仰光 ITBMU 大学攻读博士学位。

询问详情 : 012-5159702 Dr Song
报名链接: https://forms.gle/9PffkRpxYEerfueK9

A GLIMPSE INTO THE HISTORY: BUDDHIST EPIGRAPHS OF KEDAH TUA

On Saturday 14 March, Dhamma friends gathered at NEO Centre, Sungai Petani to follow Dr. Ooi Eng Jin into a time tunnel Kedah Tua’s history.

Kedah Tua once stretched from Krabi to Kuala Selinsing and served as an important maritime trade route between the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea. Within this region, Bujang Valley was a key polity and cultural centre, especially during the period of the Srivijaya Empire, when the region was also known for its Sanskrit scholarship.

Dr Ooi’s talk focused on Buddhist inscriptions discovered in the Bujang Valley, including Ye Dharma, Ajnanac Ciyate Karma, Bodhigarbhalankara Dharani, and Sagaramati-pariprccha. Found across several sites such as Bukit Merriam, Bukit Choras, and Gua Berhala, these inscriptions date from the 6th – 9th century and indicate sustained Buddhist ritual practices and the presence of early Buddhist communities in Kedah Tua. His presentation helped us better appreciate the Buddhist heritage of the Bujang Valley.

We thank Dr. Ooi for his generous sharing. By understanding the history and culture, we enhance our appreciation and in turn, hope to preserve it. Look out for the next session with Dr. Ooi.

NALANDA SUNGAI PETANI BRANCH 13TH A.G.M.

On Saturday 28 February, members of Nalanda Sungai Petani (SP) Branch gathered at NEO Centre SP for their 13th Annual General Meeting. The meeting was attended by Nalanda Honorary Secretary Sis. Livin Leow, Branch Coordinator Sis. Evelyn Chow, and Sis. Wee Hwe Shean from Sri Serdang.

As this was a re-election year, Dr. Song Wai Leng was re-elected as Branch Chairman. He shared that the opportunity to serve is a blessing, allowing him to learn and practise the Dhamma while contributing to the community. He encouraged members to continue building the Branch as a warm and welcoming place for Dhamma learning.

Sis. Livin shared updates from the Society, while Sis. Evelyn reminded members that the A.G.M. is not just a formal meeting, but also a time to reflect and renew the Branch’s aspirations. She encouraged everyone to contribute through small and steady efforts, supporting one another in a joyful journey of service.

We express our heartfelt appreciation to the outgoing Committee for their dedicated service over the past two years. May the new Committee serve with wisdom and harmony. Sādhu anumodāna!

SP Branch Management Committee 2026–2028

Chairperson: Bro. Song Wai Leng
Deputy Chairperson: Sis. Ong Yen See
Branch Secretary: Sis. Lee An May (Sumedhā)
Assistant Secretary: Bro. Lee Wai Heng
Branch Treasurer: Bro. Lau Yun Lee
Assistant Treasurer: Sis. Chen Chee Yuan (Vinnie)

Committee Members:
Sis. Tan Hooi Leng
Sis. Heng Sok Hoon
Bro. Fong Chee Meng
Sis. Lilian Yap Lee Yoong
Sis. Song Chu Jun

SATURDAY SERVICE & DHAMMA TALK
28 February | 9.30am – 12pm | NEO Centre, Sungai Petani

This Saturday, 28 February, we invite you to join us for the weekly morning service to recharge spiritually. The service will start at 9.30am with meditation, offerings, chanting and features a Dhamma talk by Sis. Livin Leow.

See you this Saturday.

REGISTRATION OPEN FOR 2-DAY BRAHMA-VIHĀRA WORKSHOP
Friday & Saturday, 17 & 18 April | 9 am – 5.00 pm | Nalanda Education & Outreach Centre, Sungai Petani

We warmly invite you to join the 2-day Brahma-vihāra Workshop facilitated by Bro. Tan Siang Chye on 17 and 18 April, at NEO Centre, Sungai Petani.

The Four Brahma-vihāra are the sublime qualities of the heart taught by the Buddha - mettā (loving-kindness), karuṇā (compassion), muditā (sympathetic joy), and upekkhā (equanimity).

Mettā is the wish for all beings to be happy; Karuṇā is the wish to relieve suffering; Muditā is joy in others’ happiness and success; Upekkhā is balanced awareness that remains steady amidst pleasure and pain. Together, they purify the mind, reduce hatred, cruelty, envy, and attachment. At the same time, these states help us to cultivate wisdom, harmony, and inner peace on the path to liberation.

Please register through this link https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScu8VCsT7qAfMQxrlGp3JkllrqL0Ydj1gMir13his6fu4rC9g/viewform. The workshop is offered at no fee, and lunch is provided.

Do also share this learning opportunity with family and friends. Sukhihontu.

TALK ON BUDDHIST EPIGRAPHS OF KEDAH TUA BY DR. OOI ENG JIN
Saturday 14 March | 10.00 am – 11.30 am | NEO Centre, Sungai Petani

We joyfully invite you to join us on Saturday 14 March at NEO Centre, Sungai Petani to learn about Lembah Bujang. We are blessed and honoured to have Dr. Ooi Eng Jin to share his research and thoughts with us.

This talk looks at Buddhist inscriptions found in Kedah Tua, which were written in Sanskrit and carved or stamped onto stone and clay tablets around the second half of the first millennium. They contain well-known Buddhist verses and texts that were also used in other parts of Asia.

Dr. Ooi Eng Jin has been a lecturer and the Dean of the Faculty of Buddhist Studies at International Buddhist College (IBC) since January 2025. He also holds the Palyul-Khyentse Chair in Buddhist Textual Studies. Before joining IBC, Dr. Ooi was a faculty member of the College of Religious Studies at Mahidol University in Thailand.

His research interests are textual criticism and philology of Pāli and Sanskrit texts, manuscript culture, early Buddhist art, and archaeology in South and Southeast Asia.

We look forward to welcome you!

LUNAR NEW YEAR OPEN HOUSE
Saturday 7 March | 9.30 am – 2.00 pm | NEO Centre, Sungai Petani

Namo Buddhaya! We hope that your lunar new year celebrations have been joyful and harmonious. We would like to invite you and your loved ones to join us for Lunar New Year Open House on Saturday 7 March.

The service starts at 9.30am with meditation, offering and chanting, followed by a sharing. The centre is open for visitors until 2pm. We look forward to see you in this joyous celebration.

NALANDA SUNGAI PETANI BRANCH 13TH A.G.M.
Saturday, 28 February 2026 | 1pm | NEO Centre, Sungai Petani

Members of Nalanda Sungai Petani Branch will convene for their 13th Branch Annual General Meeting on Saturday, 28 February at 1pm.

The meeting will be held at the Nalanda Education and Outreach (NEO) Centre in Sungai Petani. It serves as an important platform for members to review the past year’s work, discuss plans, and set directions for the year ahead.

Members will also elect a new batch of committee members to serve for the 2026–2028 term.

For further information, please contact your Branch Secretary.

Wishing all members a joyous Chinese New Year. We look forward to seeing you at the A.G.M.

STUDY TOUR GROUP DEPARTS FOR BUJANG VALLEY

This morning at 6.30am, Nalanda members and devotees have departed for Bujang Valley as they embark on a study tour to explore Malaysia's rich Buddhist heritage sites. A total of 43 participants will spend the next 3 days learning and exploring together.

We wish them safe travels and a fruitful learning ahead!