July 25, 2004:-

(excerpt from The Star, Metro News, Wednesday 28 July 2004)

About 200 monks from all over the country attended the annual Maha Sanghikadana (offerings to sangha members) organised by the Malaysian Buddhist Sangha Association (MBSA) at Than Hsiang Temple in Bayan Baru, Penang.

The annual event, to give offerings to monks and nuns (sangha) from the Buddhist Mahayana and Theravada traditions, was organised in conjunction with MBSA's annual general meeting on Sunday morning.

According to MBSA Maha Sanghikadana working committee chairman Saw Kok Oon, proceeds from last year's event were donated to the MBSA Educational Committee.

"The committee sponsored a total of 19 sangha members studying at the Malaysian Buddhist Institute and the International Buddhist College last year," he said.

He added that the number of young Buddhist studying at these institutes were increasing and some of them even joined the sangha while studying.

He said the committee also organise a six-day course on Living and Dying last year.

In urging more Buddhists to take part in the Maha Sanghikadana, Saw said it was an educational process where devotees learn to materially support the sangha while the sangha offers spiritual teachings to devotees in return.

The concept of performing the dana, or an act of charity, was based on Buddhist beliefs that the dead were able to receive merits done on their behalf by relatives and friends.

Devotees participating in the Maha Sanghikadana also believed that they would accrue merits.

The sangha members were served lunch and given a pack of essential items before Ven Chek Huang and Ven Dr Chow Kun Phra Raj Siddhikhun delivered two dharma talks.

Later, the monks performed merit transfer for those devotees present.

State executive councillor Datuk Koay Kar Huah, who represented the Penang Chief Minister at the function, said offering food to the sangha was a meaningful act and it helps to spread Buddhism and purify the hearts of devotees.