Sayadaw Dr. Nandamalabhivamsa

Sayadaw Dr. Nandamalabhivamsa

Sayadaw prefers to stay in the mountain. Santarama is the place.
Below was the kuti where Sayadaw stayed.

Sayalay Yuzananani

Attendant from Burma (left) & Sayalay Yuzananani (right)

Sayalay is the top student in Sayadaw university. She taught the course participants fundamental of Abhidhamma and Patthana in the evening class. The course participants like her very much. She is good in English and explaining the Dhamma.

Below was the kuti that Sayalay stayed.

Rev Mahosadha Pandita

Rev. Mahosadha Pandita is Australian and Rev. is ordained at Malaysian Buddhist Meditation Centre Penang (MBMC).

Ah Peow and Soh Khiam

Bro. Koh Weng Peow (left) & Sis. Cheah Soh Khiam (right)

Ah Peow was the only full time male lay participant. He is Alan's brother. This was his first time attending this Abhidhamma course.
Soh Khiam is Alan's wife. She was very helpful. Wtihout her effort, this course wouldn't be run that smooth. Maha Sadhu to this great helper.

Cheng Kim and Suan Bee

Sis. The Cheng Kim (left) & Sis. Lee Suan Bee (right)

The course participants said they are very good in kitchen works. And I found, they are alway happy. They work happily. So, the results that they will obtain will be accompanied by pleasant feeling. Sadhu! Sadhu! Sadhu!

Samantha Cheong

She is Sis. Samantha Cheong. She is a very hard working person.
She did alot of works while in the retreat. She taught me how to serve Sayadaw, gave me a very good opportunity to do good deeds. Maha Sadhu to this kind lady. May she be well and happy.

Seng, Pauline and Lee Lee

Sis. Seng Saw Moi (left), Sis. Pauline Chong (middle), Sis. Tan Lee Lee (right)

Sis. Pauline Chong says: "Awesome!"

Three of them are great students. They have been following Sayadaw Dr. Nandamalabhivamsa for many years.
Sis. Seng and Sis. Pauline are from KL.
Sis. Lee Lee is from Singapore.
(the Visuddhimagga CD by Sayadaw U Silananda that I received from Sis. Samantha Cheong also get from her)

Sucitta and Candasiri

Sayalay Sucitta (left) & Sayalay Candasiri (right)

Sayalay Candasiri says:
"Mangala ba! Sayadaw Dr. Nandamalabhivamsa and Sayalay Yuzananani, Maha Sadhu!

Here I would like to say about my experience in studying the new topic of Abhidhamma 'Yamaka' - the book of pairs.

Although we only have about 8 days course in learning Abhidhamma 'Yamaka' but I have gain a lot of knowledge and benefits. Studying 'Yamaka' is quite interesting subject, it helps to increase our knowledge. Actually 'Yamaka' has 10 division but we only deal with 'Khandha Yamaka' - pair of aggregates.

Sayadaw is very cleaver and skillful teacher, he knows the tactic to teach us. He used to apply many examples to enlightened us and make us realized and understand the actual meaning in the text with pali sentences. So far we have already learnt about the pairs on aggregates consists of three chapters:
1. pannatti vara - chapter on terms - divided into 4 parts.
2. pavatti vara - chapter on process - divided into 6 parts.
3. parinnavara - chapter on comprehension - divided into 6 parts.

In class sometimes I have a joy arises in me, sometimes I get confuse due to some pali strange words (unfamiliar) and fell lost in somewhere cannot follow the lesson, cannot cope it and fell dull and bore. And Sayadaw is very compassionated and he knows I cannot cope it, he gives examples to make us easy to catch the meanings. Luckily Sayadaw gives Jataka stories tales, Suttas, and sometimes Sayadaw makes a few jokes that make our mind refresh again, relax a bit, then in the end, we can carry on and finished the lesson.

Teaachers has done his duty, but the student still not completely understand yet, hope that when back to centre, I will do revision and try my best to digest in my work.

We are very lucky to have such a teacher able to explain clearly and wishing that we have the golden opportunity to learn under Sayadaw Dr. Nandamala again.

Wishing Sayadaw will carry on the teaching of the Buddha for every corner of the country.

Sadhu! Sadhu! Sadhu!

Jeyyanandi and Candavati

Sayalay Jeyyanandi (left) Sayalay Candavati (right)

Sayalay Jeyyanandi says:
"After attending this course, I find Abhidhamma is very interesting. I got to know more about Buddha's teaching. It is important to study Abhidhamma and also Suttanta. As this course is a short one, I just hope to learn as much as I can. And I appreciate the help given by my fellow coursemates to enable me to understand. I would like to express my gratutude to our teachers Ven. Sayadaw Dr. Nandamalabhivamsa, Sayalay Yuzananani, and Ven. Phra Hoe, committee of Santarama, dana donors and supports for this opportunity to learn Abhidhamma.
Finally, I am most grateful to my preceptor Sayadaw U Nandasiddhi for encouraging me to come and when I return, he encourages me to consult him on topics that I do not understand.

Sadhu! Sadhu! Sadhu!"
Nirodharama Meditation Centre,
Ayer Tawar, Manjung, Perak, Malaysia.

Chuai Lin and Jina Hon

Sis. Foong Chuai Lin (left) Sis. Jina Hon (right)

Sis. Jina Hon says:
"This is my second time and I still feel that I've never learnt so much in my life in such a short time. A few of the very special things I observe during the Abhidhamma course - participants are very serious and committed; the patience and tremendous sharing of Dhamma by Sayadaw; wonderful integration of Abhidhamma & Suttanta, and life experiences in the Dhamma talks; almost non-stop discussion and sharing among participants; dynamic teaching by Sayalay Yuzananani.
I am very greatful to the organisers of the course for making possible some of the conditions for us to learn. I feel deep gratitude to Sayadaw for the Dhamma sharing and guidance. And particularly for Sayadaw's admonishment to 'look for Dhamma in your body, not in the book' and 'Practice!'"

Amy & Moo Lan

Sis. Amy Chew (left) Sis. Lee Moo Lan (right)

Sis. Moo Lan says:
"Have been attending Sayadaw Dr. Nandamalabhivamsa held once a year at Santarama Buddhist Hermitage, Penang. Sayadaw has taught Fundamental Abhidhamma, Patthana & Yamaka. Sayadaw's teachings is always well-expounded. May this yearly Abhidhamma Retreat be continued with great success. Sadhu! Sadhu! Sadhu!."