Established in 1985, Than Hsiang Buddhist welfare association was then operating from a small house . With the generous support from the devotees, the present Poium block known as “Ta Pei Dian “ was built in 1991. In time due to demand for space to cater to the growing activities of the temple , the present tower block was built for the development of welfare and educational works.
In conjunction with the 25th anniversary of the TH Buddhist welfare association in the year 2010 , coinciding with Guan Yin’s enlightenment anniversary on the lunar calendar 19th of 6th month, The TH Buddhist welfare association has lined up a series of activities for eight days to celebrate the occasion . We coordially welcome all to join us in celebrating this auspicious event.
The highlight of the eight –day celebration will be the Guan Yin float procession on the night of 31st July(sat). This is the first Guan Yin Float procession organised by Than Hsiang temple to be held in the South-West district of Penang and participated by several Buddhist organisations .
The programme for Guan Yin enlightenment anniversary celebration.
DATES TIME EVENTS
24-27/7/2010 8PM Talks on Guan Yin BODHISATTVA
25//7/2010 (SUN) 8PM The refuge and five precepts ritual.
28/7/2010(WED) 8PM Guan Yin float cleansing/ blessing ceremony.
31/7/2010(sat) 6.30pm Guan Yin float procession.

Talks on Guan Yin Bodhisattva.
Than Hsiang Buddhist Welfare Association is greatly honoured to have Prof. Chung-Fang Yu and Dr. Lai Hun Yeow to be the speakers for the talk on Guan Yin Bodhisattva.
Prof Chun-fang yu is reputed to be an authoritative research scholar in the subject of Guan Yin bodhisattva.
Chün-fang Yü was born in China and educated in Taiwan, graduating from Tunghai University with a major in English Literature and minor in Chinese philosophy. She received a MA degree from Smith College in English Literature and a Ph.D. from Columbia University in Religion, specializing in Chinese Buddhism. She taught at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey from 1972 to 2004 when she returned to Columbia. She is the Sheng Yen Professor in Chinese Buddhist Studies. Her research interests are quite broad. Her early works deal with the history of Chinese Buddhist thought and institutions and later on she focused equally on Buddhist rituals and practices. More recently, she wrote "Kuan-yin: The Chinese Transformation of Avalokiteśvara" (Columbia University Press 2001) which traces the patterns of the evolution of the cult of Kuan-yin through the various medias of transmission.
Her current research interests continue her fascination with the transformation of Buddhism in China. She is completing a study of contemporary Buddhist nuns in Taiwan and has begun a new project. Tentatively entitled “The Creation of a Buddhist Pantheon”, it studies the pairing of two bodhisattvas: Guanyin and Dizang, in iconography and temple architectural layout from the tenth century on.

Dr. LAI was born in Penang and educated in Penang Free school and was active in Buddhist activities in his student days. His PhD thesis was on “history and practice of Yuqioe Yankou”. Apart from being an active buiddhist social worker, currently he is reaseaching into the “Chinese Buddhisy Ritual and liturgical traditions” .

Schedule for the talks on “ Guan Yin bodhisattva”
dates time events
24/7/2010(sat) 8pm Guan Yin & Heart Sutra by Dr. Lye Hun Yeow
25//7/2010(sun) 2.30pm Guan Yin & Chinese Buddhism(chinese) by Prof. Yu Chung Fang
26/7/2010(mon) 8pm Guan Yin & Chinese Buddhism (eng) by Prof. Yu Chung Fang

27/7/2010(tues) 8pm Guan Yin-- Q & A.