A Day at Nalanda

"Regarding all the people who are working here in the monastery; from having worked here they have accumulated great collections of merit and this merit could become the basis for creating all kinds of happiness, for the pacification of all kinds of problems such as sickness or problems within their families. Also, on the basis of this merit, if we dedicate it, it can lead to, for example, ones root lama’s life being stable and long, so that he stays for a long time."

Geshe Jamphal

The day

The day starts with the morning prayer called "Ganden Lha Gyame" which is a practice where one tries to receive and develop the qualities of one’s spiritual master. At Nalanda we recite most of the prayers in English, although we regularly also chant in Tibetan. As the puja progresses we slow down or stop at certain points in order to deepen our meditation. Guru devotion is said to be the root of the path and in this puja we particularly think of the founder of our tradition, Lama Tsongkhapa.

Breakfast is between 7.00 and 8.15 and is a "mindful breakfast" meaning we keep silence in order to be fully aware of our body and mind.

During the weeks when our Abbot Geshe Jamphal is in residence, we start the teachings at 9.00 with prayers to remove obstacles to learning and then proceed with listening to Geshe-la and asking questions on the topic of that particular text/module. (see the Basic Program for more info.) With a short break in the middle, this lasts until 12.00.

The weeks when Geshe-la is not at Nalanda and teaching at the centre in Barcelona, we alternate between question and answer sessions with Senior Monk Ven. Fedor (from the centre in Munich), and discussion groups/guided meditations in the other weeks. This means we get to listen, discuss and meditate on the teachings to fully understand as much as we can.

Lunch for the whole community is at 12:30, and the meals are vegetarian, prepared mostly by our wonderful volunteers, and by the monks at weekends. The lunch is preceded by a blessing prayer and eaten in silence. Afterwards an offering is made to the pretas (hungry ghosts), followed by a recitation of the Heart Sutra and dedication prayers for our benefactors and all other sentient beings. Monks and Lay People then help with the washing up!

When there are no teachings scheduled, afternoons are used by the monks for working, as well as for private study and meditation.

The work necessary to keep the monastery functioning is shared between the monks and volunteers. This includes things like cleaning, computer/library work, building maintenance, jobs in the art workshop and gardening - giving everyone some task or responsibility.

During special days and when someone has sponsored a puja, the community meets at 19.00 and performs the relevant practice. Silence is then kept every evening from 21.00 till 8.00 the next day.

There is no formal study at the weekends, and this is also the time when we are most happy to welcome visitors to the monastery.