Than Hsiang Welfare Buddhist Welfare Association has set up yet another branch in Sg Petani, Kedah by acquiring four semi-detached building in Bandar Putri Jaya. The branch is called Than Hsiang Jing Yuan; it has a prayer hall, kindergarten and a welfare home for the aged and a Metta Free Clinic.
The Abbot Venerable Wei Wu said that Jing Yuan located between the International Buddhist College in Thailand and Than Hsiang headquarters in Penang is an ideal and conducive environment to introduce the Buddha’s teachings to the local residents through activities such as group chanting, meditation and other Buddhist activities which will help strengthen the bond between brothers and sisters in the dharma through cultivation activities and sharing of knowledge in Buddhism.
Venerable Wei Wu reiterated that members should not treat the Than Hsiang conviction of creating an environment for:
"The Young to Learn,
The Strong and Healthy to Serve,
The Aged and Sick to be Cared For, and
The Departed to Find Spiritual Destination."
merely as a slogan but to incorporate it into their daily lives.
The Than Hsiang Kindergarten employs both the Western and Eastern concept of teaching methodology that not only emphasises love and care for the young but also the development of an all rounded personality thorough Buddhist practices and learning through purposeful play.
The Abbot further explained that young parents nowadays are too busy with their careers so much so that they seemed to able to only see to the material needs of their children. Therefore the new approach of bringing the young and aged together by establishing a kindergarten side by side with a senior citizen home is to inculcate the value of respecting and being grateful to the aged and also the practice of filial piety. Children when exposed to the Buddhist Teachings in their formative years will be able to apply them in their daily lives when they grow up. Therefore it is of utmost importance that they are exposed to Buddhist ideals from young so that they can live a meaningful life and later serve as volunteers in Buddhist work and also promote the Buddha’s teachings.
Other than the kindergarten and senior citizen home Jing Yuan also provides free Chinese medical care to those in need through the Metta Free Clinic. The weekly chanting and cultivation activities are lead by Venerable Zhen Xin and Venerable Hui Ben. Weekly Buddhist classes on the Lam Rim based on the recorded teaching by Venerable Wei Wu are also held and the public is welcomed to join the class.
Venerable Wei Wu further explained that Than Hsiang is now adopting what is called a community-based approach whereby smaller kindergartens and senior citizen homes are established in residential areas to bring the Buddha teachings closer to the public.
Regarding the setting up of branches in Thailand, the venerable stressed that local customs and cultures must be taken into consideration so as to blend into their society citing the example of the different ways monks in India and China dress which is in accordance to local cultures and weather.
He also hopes that in the future, Than Hsiang can also set up branches in Western countries.