On November 1st, Than Hsiang Temple held the Installation Ceremony for the newly appointed Abbot, Venerable Zhen Sheng. The ceremony was attended by Datuk Steven Ooi, Datuk Ooi Hoe Leng, members of the Monastic Council and Lay Sangha Council, representatives from various Than Hsiang groups, as well as temple staff and volunteers.

The ceremony commenced at 10 a.m. with the resonant sounds of bells and drums, struck by Venerable Zhen She. Founding Abbot Most Venerable Wei Wu and the newly appointed Abbot Venerable Zhen Sheng entered the Main Shrine Hall together, accompanied by four Monastic Council members—Venerable Zhen Ru, Venerable Zhen Nian, and Venerable Zhen Xiu—and four Lay Sangha Council members—Brother Eng Lu, Brother Lean Tong, Sister Gaik Yen, and Sister Siew Hong.

Following the Installation Ceremony officiated by the Founding Abbot, Most Venerable Wei Wu, a prayer bead was presented to the newly appointed Abbot, Venerable Zhen Sheng. Upon completion of this segment, the ceremony proceeded to the Noon Offering session.

After the offering, Most Venerable Wei Wu presented the symbolic token of abbacy to newly appointed Abbot, Venerable Zhen Sheng before delivering his speech, in which he highlighted five key points:

Firstly, Most Venerable Wei Wu noted that Than Hsiang Monastic Sangha Council during the first of June were having the second election of five members and choose the new abbot. Due to the coinciding celebration of Phor Tay 85th Anniversary and Than Hsiang Buddhist Welfare Association Malaysia 40th Anniversary & Than Hsiang Mitra Welfare Centre 35th Anniversary Gratitude Night, the Installation Ceremony for the new abbot was postponed until today.

On behalf of the Elders’ Council, Most Venerable Wei Wu expressed gratitude to
Venerable Zhen Xin for serving as acting abbot in recent years. He also congratulated Venerable Zhen Sheng, Venerable Chen Cong, Venerable Zhen Nian, Venerable Zhen She, and Venerable Zhen Xiu on their election to the Monastic Council committee members. He emphasized the importance of this responsibility and encouraged the committee members to undertake it with courage and diligence.

Most Venerable Wei Wu stated that over the next few months to half a year, the Elders’ Council will assist the new members of Monastic Council in smoothly managing temple operations.

Most Venerable Wei Wu also highlighted that temple affairs are managed not only by the Monastic Council but also by Lay Sangha Council. He expressed hope that the current lay Sangha Council will work closely with the newly appointed Monastic Council .

Finally, Most Venerable Wei Wu hoped that all the monastics, lay people, staffs, and volunteers—to continue supporting the newly elected Monastic Council.

Following this, the newly appointed abbot, Venerable Zhen Sheng, delivered his gratitude speech. Venerable began by expressing heartfelt thanks to the elders, the sangha members, and the lay supporters. He likened himself to a newly lit lotus lamp—though its light may be faint, it aspires to illuminate the path of awakening alongside all present through the light of the Dharma.

Venerable Zhen Sheng quoted the teaching “All phenomena arise from conditions,” emphasizing that today’s Installation is not the result of individual effort, but the fruit of the Buddha’s teachings, the guidance of mentors, communal cultivation, and the support of lay devotees.

Venerable Zhen Sheng further shared the “Three Hearts” philosophy:
Beginner’s Heart: Never forget the aspiration for enlightenment, wishing all beings to be free from suffering and attain happiness. Pure Heart: Like a clear mirror, reflecting the emptiness of the five aggregates. Compassionate Heart: To guide beings with loving-kindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity, allowing the Dharma to nourish the heart like sweet dew.
As the new abbot, Venerable Zhen Sheng expressed that he has no desire for grand halls but rather wished for Than Hsiang Temple to be a warm spiritual temple—where sangha members can practice in peace, lay people can learn peacefully, and all beings can learn the Dharma.

Venerable Zhen Sheng concluded his gratitude speech by dedicating the merit of this gathering to all beings in the ten directions, wishing them released from suffering and swift attainment of enlightenment.

After the speech, a group photo was taken. The newly appointed Abbot, Venerable Zhen Sheng, proceeded to the Ancestral Hall to paid homage, accompanied by Venerable Zhen Ru.

The elders, sangha members , and guests then proceeded to the fifth floor for lunch, led by Most Venerable Wei Wu in chanting the offering and meal completion verses. Thus, the Installation Ceremony of Venerable Zhen Sheng at Than Hsiang Temple concluded successfully.

To mark the occasion, a senior lay devotee of the Than Hsiang temple, Layperson Brother Lim Peng Theam, offered his congratulations:

“Zhen” transmits the lamp of wisdom, dispelling the darkness of ignorance;
「真」「传」延慧灯，破除无明暗；

“Sheng” blossoms with the lion’s roar, proclaiming the Dharma to guide the lost.
「升」「华」演狮吼，说法度群迷。

Congratulations to Venerable Zhen Sheng (Chuanhua-传华) on becoming the third abbot of Than Hsiang Temple.

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More photos:https://www.thanhsiang.org/CH/node/6729
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