On 2 January 2007, the Multi Purpose Hall in Level 5 of Than Hsiang Temple was filled with about 200 new children with their parents and teachers of Than Hsiang Kindergarten and Day Care Centre for the Kindergarten’s Orientation Day.

Promptly at 9.00am, Venerable Wei Wu, the Abbot of Than Hsiang Temple performed the Cleansing (Sa Jing) Ceremony. After the ceremony, Venerable Wei Wu explained the significance of performing the Sa Jing Ceremony. He said it was to convey wisdom and compassion and good wishes to everybody in this hall. He hoped that under the care of the Kindergarten teachers, Ai Xin Mamas, and Ai Xin Drivers, every child would happily come to school and go back home safely.

Venerable Wei Wu also explained that the Great Compassion Dharani and the Heart Sutra being chanted represent compassion and wisdom respectively. He elucidated to the parents that when we greeted each other with “Amituofo”, we were greeting each other with greatest blessings since the name of Amituofo means ‘infinite life’ and ‘infinite light’.

Venerable Wei Wu informed that the children’s education required the full coordination and cooperation of teachers and parents together. He hoped that these two groups of people would cooperate well for the future education of the children. He encouraged housewives to come forward to become the Ai Xin Mamas as a way of sharing and spreading their love to others.

Sis. Tan Kim Nai, the principal of the Kindergarten explained the mission and operation of Than Hsiang Kindergarten and Day Care Centre for the better understanding of the parents. She then introduced the teachers to the parents, after which, the children and their parents followed the teachers to their respective classes in the first floor of Than Hsiang Temple. There, the parents took this opportunity to ask questions and other matters pertaining to the education of their children in Than Hsiang Kindergarten and Day Care Centre.