Three refuge & five precepts

In conjunction with the birthday of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara on 5th November (Sunday) 2pm, Than Hsiang Temple held the Five Precepts Refuge Taking ceremony at “Dabei” hall.

Venerable Zhen Ru conducted the refuge taking ceremony to six staunch devotees.

Venerable Zhen Ru in his dhamma sharing said that taking refuge in the three jewels, gives us faith and guidance. By following Buddha's Teaching of "do no evil deeds, practice all good deeds", helps us to get rid of suffering and gain happiness!

Than Hsiang's Pu Men Pin Online Gong Xiu’s Dharma Sharing（20/10/2023）

Teaching Assistant in International Buddhist College, Sister Chiew Suan Bee sharing “Mudrā in Buddhism”

A mudra conveys different body or hand gestures practiced in meditation, yoga, Indian classical dances and for healing purposes.

They can be used for the entire body, and/or performed with the hands and fingers.

They are silent languages of self-expression associated with Hindu, Jain and Buddhist iconography.

CBETA Workshop (24 September 2023)

In the current digital era characterised by technological developments, reading the sutra whenever you like is no more a dream. On 24 September, 9 o’clock in the morning, Than Hsiang Temple held a CBETA Workshop in Room A, 4th floor. A CBETA worker, Ms Yong Li Yu, was invited to teach us how to operate CBETA effectively. There were more than 30 participants.

Than Hsiang Temple Filial Piety Dharma Assembly
(4-9-2023 – 10-9-2023)

Than Hsiang temple started the Filial Piety Dharma Assembly on 4th September 2023 (twentieth day of the seventh month) in the hall on the fifth floor. There were lamp-lighting for the devotees to seek blessings for their living parents and relatives as well as penitent service as a remembrance to the departed parents, ancestors and karmic creditors. The devotees gave donation on “as your wish” basis. All proceeds will be credited into the Than Hsiang Educational Fund.

Than Hsiang's Pu Men Pin Online Gong Xiu Dharma Sharing (01/09/2023)

Former Principal of International Buddhist College, Brother Leong Kok Hing sharing " Borobudur "

Borobudur is a Mahayana Buddhist monument located in central Java, Indonesia.

It is 86 kilometers west of Surakarta in Centralk Java and 40 kilometers northwest of Yogyakarta.

Its founder was King Samaratunga of the Sailendra Dynasty who ruled the island of Java.

After the king ascended the throne in 778 AD, he began to build Borobudur to promote Mahayana Buddhism.

The Buddhas’ Joyful Day

On 30 August 2023(the fifteenth day of the seventh month) at 10.30 am, Than Hsiang Temple held the Noon Offering in Main shrine Hall on the 6th floor. The founder of the temple, the most venerable Wei Wu, headed the chanting of the Ullambana Sutra and sharing the dhamma to the devotees.

Than Hsiang's Pu Men Pin Online Gong Xiu Dharma Sharing (25/08/2023)

Teaching Assistant of International Buddhist College, Sis Wong Ping Ling sharing "Buddhist perspective on wealth for a householder"

Is wealth evil?
Buddhism does not consider wealth as evil or bad.
Buddhism asserts the necessity of wealth for lay life.

Buddhist Scriptures :
It is not wealth as such that is praised or blamed.
It is the way it is acquired and used.
Many passages in the Scriptures exhort lay people to acquire wealth in rightful ways.

Than Hsiang's Pu Men Pin Online Gong Xiu Dharma Sharing (18/08/2023)

Than Hsiang Wan Ching Yuen’s committee, Bro. Chin Yee Loong sharing “Are There Any Taboos Concerning Practicing Buddhism at Home?”

There are many dos and don’ts in folk beliefs that are not orthodox Buddhism, but which are often mistakenly considered Buddhist taboos.

For instance:

Taboo: not recommended to clean out the incense burner daily. As an outcome：joss stick residue and ashes look messy and increase risk of fire.

Than Hsiang Temple refuge taking and precepts transmission ceremony

To commemorate the birthday of Bodhisattva Avalokitasvara (Guanyin), THT conducted the refuge taking and precepts transmission ceremony at DaBei Dian on 6th August,2023 (Sunday) at 2pm . Ten devotees took part in the ceremony.

Venerable Zhen Ru hosted the ceremony by giving a dhamma talk on the significance of taking refuge in the three jewels and receiving the 5 precepts.
After the ceremony, Venerable Zhen Ru issued the refuge and precepts taking certificates to the participants.

New Student Orientation Program (One- Day Trip)
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The International Buddhist College (IBC) organized its annual New Student Orientation Program (NSOP) to warmly welcome and introduce new students on 20 July 2023 for the Academic Year 2023/2024. As part of the program, IBC organized a one-day trip for the students to explore a few places of interest in Songkhla city. This report highlights the key moments of the program..........