The M.B.S.A. International Maha Sanghika Dana which was held on 16th July 2023 in Penang and Kuala Lumpur simultaneously had presented two dana cheques to the Malaysian Buddhist Institute and International Buddhist College respectively as an endowment to support sangha education. The dana cheque was presented by the vice-chairman of M.B.S.A, Dato’ Lim Gim Hin to Ven Yan Jing from the Malaysian Buddhist Institute. While Ven Zhen Ru represented the International Buddhist College to receive the dana cheque from the chairman of M.B.S.A, Mr Yew Cheng Keat.

The event was organised by the Malaysian Buddhist Sangha Association and co-organised by the Malaysian Buddhist Kulapati Association and the Than Hsiang Buddhist Welfare Association Kuala Lumpur/Selangor. This ceremony ran concurrently at two venues including Than Hsiang Temple, Penang and Tham Wah Wan Temple, Kuala Lumpur. It was also being live- streamed to the public. There were about 180 Theravada and Mahayana sangha members participating at these two temples.

The chairman of the MBSA working committee, Mr Yew Cheng Keat during his opening speech pointed out that this was the 22nd International Maha Sanghika Dana. It would be live-streamed concurrently from these two Penang and Selangor temples to enable more devotees to cultivate Buddhism and connect good affinity. The contribution from the Maha Sanghika Dana will be used to sponsor the monks to study at the Malaysian Buddhist Institute and International Buddhist College and also as a reserve for the Malaysian Buddhist Sangha educational and medical fund.

Before the Sanghika Dana, there were offering of food, LED candles by the patrons, sponsors and co-sponsors, chanting of sutras by the sangha members from the Theravada and Mahayana traditions respectively and offering of requisites to the sangha members. The ceremony ended by transferring of merits by the sangha members to all sentient beings.

The president of the Malaysian Buddhist Sangha Association, the most venerable Wei Wu during his dharma teaching thanked the devotees and working committees for their devoted support, sincere preparation and active participation to make this International Maha Sanghika Dana a success. He hoped that everyone would continue to support Buddhist education in order to cultivate and improve the quality of sangha members. Finally, he hoped that the merits accrued by offering dana to the sangha members be transferred to the welfare of all sentient beings, and wished all members be liberated from suffering and enjoyed a peaceful world.

The guardians of Buddhism, Dato’ Sri and Datin Sri Steven Ooi, Dato’ Sri Tan Gin Soon were also present at this ceremony.