Submitted by MeiYue on
On Saturday, June 28, Kalyana Mitra Home held a Purification Ceremony for its new location. Around 30 Buddhist friends participated in the ceremony. Venerable Zhen Sheng, the new Abbot of Than Hsiang Temple, also presided over and attended the ceremony.
After the Purification Ceremony, Hong Chii Chew, Chairman of Kalyana Mitra Home, briefly recounted the organization’s development since its inception. He mentioned that Kalyana Mitra Home has moved four times, and this recent relocation was particularly challenging, as finding affordable accommodation in Penang is quite difficult. He extended heartfelt gratitude to Brother Yee Loong for his assistance in finding the new premises.
The Chairman then elaborated the concept of the Kalyana Mitra Home: to provide a harmonious environment where youths and college students can live together in comfort and with peace of mind. The goal is to gradually guide them toward learning Buddhism. Thus, Kalyana Mitra Home holds evening chanting sessions every week and occasionally organizes Dharma Sharing sessions. These activities allow members to exchange insights on their Buddhist practice and encourage each other to participate in various Buddhist activities, including volunteering at Than Hsiang Temple.
The Chairman emphasized that, this concept of the Kalyana Mitra Home is an aspiration of Most Venerable Wei Wu. He wishes to be closer to the Buddhist Undergraduates to understand more of their way of thinking and their dreams and aspirations.
Finally, the Chairman expressed his gratitude to all members for their extensive preparations for this relocation.
Subsequently, Venerable Zhen Sheng, the new abbot of Than Hsiang Temple delivered a compassionate Dharma Talk. During his talk, Venerable Zhen Sheng expressed his joy at the gathering and his gratitude for the connections made. Venerable then explained the deeper meaning of purification (洒净) and offered encouragement and spiritual practice for the participants.
Venerable Zhen Sheng pointed out that the purification in Buddhism is not merely about sprinkling water; it is about purifying our minds. It is about washing away greed, hatred, and delusion with the water of compassion, and illuminating the darkness of ignorance with the light of wisdom. Venerable also emphasized that learning Buddhism and purifying body and mind are not confined to the temple but should be integrated into daily life.
Venerable Zhen Sheng hoped that everyone would regard their daily lives as a form of practice, achieving purity year after year, auspiciousness step by step, encountering good affinities in every endeavor, and seeing action as act for the Buddha.
After the dharma talk, Venerable led everyone in chanting the Buddha’s name and dedicating merits. Subsequently, the Chairman and other representatives of Kalyana Mitra offered dāna (offerings) of fruits and gifts to Venerable Zhen Sheng, thanking him for presiding over the purification ceremony.
Following the ceremony, Kalyana Mitra Home prepared a delicious vegetarian lunch for everyone, and all departed filled with Dharma joy.
******************************************************
More photos: https://thanhsiang.org/CH/node/6588
******************************************************
Spread the Buddha's teachings to guide more people to study Buddhism.
Continue diligently in the path studying the Buddha's teachings and listening to the Dharma.
Follow us on:
https://linktr.ee/thanhsiang


