The Malaysian Sangha Association held its AGM in conjunction with the annual successfully-organised Mahasanghikadana on 15 June 2008 (Sunday) at Than Hsiang Temple.

An important objective of the Mahasanghikadana, besides offering of food and requisites to the Sangha Members, is to remind the public on the importance of Sangha education, as part of the proceeds received during the Dana will be channeled towards their education fund.

The crowd began to congregate as early as 7 am at the great compassion hall of the Temple for the Pindapatta ceremony. By 10am, devotees began to take their places at the 6th floor main Shrine hall for the day’s main event. In his opening speech, the organizing-chairman Mr. Chan Keang Teong appealed to all Buddhist to uphold the noble tradition of Mahasanghikadana by offering of alms and requisites as well as the support of Sangha members’ education fund.

The next speaker was YB Mr. Ooi Han Wei who represented the Chief Minister Mr. Lim Guan Eng. The participants joined the Theravada monks in their opening chanting. The lamp offering by the sponsors and the invited guests proceeded before the chanting of the Ulambana sutra and the offerings to the Buddha.

By 11.40, all the Sangha members were invited to the 5th floor to receive the offering of food by the devotees. After the dana, Ven. We Wu, on behalf of the chairman of MBSA, Ven Zhi Kwang delivered a short speech, followed by the vice-chairman Ven Praraj Dhammata.

Ven. Wei Wu traced the origin of the Maha sanghika dana. During the time of the Buddha, the disciple of Buddha, Ven Monggallana, by the use of his super power saw his mother suffering in the hungry ghost realm. He tried to save his mother by using his super power but failed. He sought the aid of the Buddha who advised him to convene a Maha sanghika dana of sangha members after the Vassa month. By this noble deed, the mother was relieved of the suffering in the hungry ghost realm.

After the liberation of his mother, Ven. Monggallana, with the consent of the Buddha, encouraged the chanting of Ulambana sutra to help all those who were suffering in the woeful realm.

Not forgetting the sufferings of the victims of disasters of Myanmar cyclone, Chinese Quake and others, at the end of the ceremony, there was a transfer of merits to the victims concerned. The Maha sanghika dana ended at about 12.30pm.