“HOLDING HANDS AND CULTIVATING TOGETHER, NOW AND FOREVER”

September 9, 2009 or 9/9/09 is not just any other day on the calendar but quite a special one because of the triple digits ; a day whereby one would like to do something memorable like getting married. And that was what twenty six couples did; on 9/9/09 at 9 o’clock on a bright Wednesday morning.

The couples arrived at Than Hsiang Temple, dressed in beautiful wedding gowns and suits; for the most important event of their lives; that is to solemnize their marriage in front of the Triple Gem. The couples were greeted by photographers clicking away then ushered up to the Main Shrine Hall on Level 6 for the wedding ceremony.

A couple, Mr. Cheah Chung Wey and his wife Ms. Mandy Koek who had already been married was encouraged by their parents to go through a Buddhist marriage at Than Hsiang Temple.

Two of the couples who are colleagues had planned to have a Buddhist wedding on 9/9/09 at Than Hsiang Temple together, earlier on.

Another couple who met each other while doing voluntary service for Than Hsiang’s Youth Group, are none other than Bro. Wong Kem Beng and Sis. Wong Choon Yuenn.

The ceremony began with the couples signing the marriage certificates in triplicates which was witnessed by their either their parents; family members or friends. Then the couples exchanged wedding rings followed by Mr. Khoo Kay Seang giving words of advice to the couples. Mr. Khoo told the couples marriage is a life long commitment whereby couples should give each other mutual support and cooperation.

After that, Venerable Zhen Ru performed the blessing ceremony followed by a short Dharma talk. The talk which was based on Venerable Wei Wu’s previous talk, stressed on the three factors required for starting a happy and harmonious Buddhist family, that is:-

1) Mutual Love
2) Mutual Support
3) Mutual Cultivation.

Venerable also said that there must be affinitive conditions to tie the nuptial know as husband and wife so cherish this evanescent human life. Cultivating the teachings of the Buddha together as husband and wife, and transcending the ocean of life and death is far more valuable than accruing millions of monetary wealth!

And lastly, couples must practice filial piety in their daily life. With this, Venerable Zhen Ru concluded his Dharma talk by wishing the married couples a blissful future together; and conducted a blessing service for these twenty six couples.

Each couple then made offerings of fruit and flower to the Buddha. They then made offerings to Venerable Zhen Ru who presented each of them with a souvenir. A photography session for the married couples and Venerable Zhen Ru concluded the ceremony at the Main Shrine Hall.

Amituofo.