Organised by the Working Committee of M.B.S.A. Maha Sanghikadana

INTRODUCTION

Maha Sanghikadana is an important event well known among Buddhists of both the Theravada and Mahayana traditions. Once, Buddha asked his disciple, Venerable Maudgalyayana, to perform this meritorious deed on Ullambana Day in order to rescue his mother who was suffering in the hungry ghost realm. His mother was saved by his deed. Thus, many Buddhists follow Venerable Maudgalyayana's example by performing the Maha Sanghikadana to benefit their parents, both living and deceased.

In conjunction with the Annual General Meeting of Malaysian Buddhist Sangha Association, the Working Committee of M.B.S.A. Maha Sanghikadana usually organises a Maha Sanghikadana to make offerings to Sangha Members residing in Malaysia. The M.B.S.A. supports the education of the Sangha Members. Proceeds from the Maha Sanghikadana is channeled to the Education Fund of M.B.S.A. For the past years, the fund collected was used for sponsoring Sangha Members studying at the Malaysian Buddhist Institute and the International Buddhist University College.

The M.B.S.A. Maha Sanghikadana for 2005 was held on the 10th. July 2005 at the Multi Purpose Hall of Than Hsiang Temple, Penang.

Speech by Brother Saw Kok Oon
Chairman of the Working Committee of
M.B.S.A. Maha Sanghikadana
Venerable Chow Khun, Dr. Prathep Mongkonlayan, Chairman of Malaysian Buddhist Sangha Association, Venerable Members of the Maha Sangha. Y.B. Datuk Dr. Teng Hock Nan, Members of the press, Brothers and Sisters in the Dharma.

On behalf of the organising committee, I would like to thank the Venerable Members of the Maha Sangha for their kind presence today to give us lay devotees an opportunity to practice Dana. We also thank Y.B. Datuk Dr. Teng Hock Nan, for his kind presence today. We would like to record an appreciation for all those directly or indirectly support this Maha Sanghikadana.

It is important for lay Buddhists to support promotion of Buddhist education. After the Tsunami incident which happened last year, we believe that this is our collective karma. Human beings have poluted mother earth, and because of this, it resulted to natural disaster. This Maha Sanghikadana itself is an educational process. We learn how the lay devotees support the Sangha Members materially and how the Sangha, the community of monks and nuns offer spiritual teachings to the lay devotees. It is our hope that members of the public can be educated by this Maha Sanghikadana to understand the relationship betweeen Sangha members and the lay Buddhist.

Finilly, I would like to report to you that the excess fund of our last year's Maha Sanghikadana was handed over to the MBSA Education Committee. This Committee sponsored altogether 19 Sangha Members to study at the Malaysian Buddhist Institute and the International Buddhist College.

May all beings be well and happy.