While Beijing kicked off the opening of the Olympic game on August 8, 2008-at 08:08:08 p.m., the auspicious date and time chosen for the 29th Game, couples tying the knots in Than Hsiang are joining thousands of people around the world looking forward to the good fortune promised by the eighth day of the eighth month of 2008. On such an occasion, not only Chinese couples who jumped on the eights, but others as well.

A wesak international film festival was held from the 28 to 29 June 2008 at the Wawasan Open University in conjunction with the 2008 wesak day celebration. The biennial festival was jointly organized by Buddhist organizations in Penang and co-sponsored by Yayasan Belia Buddhist Malaysia, YBAM Penang state liaison committee and Than Hsiang temple.

A series of Dharma talks spread over three nights consecutively was held in Than Hsiang Temple in conjunction with the annual Mahasanghikadana organized by the Malaysian Buddhist Sangha Association. The speakers were: Ven. Zhi Teng , Ven. Zhi Zunand Ven. Boon Kean with the following topics:“snow view”, “the choices on the path of cultivation” and “the Fouthfold Noble Path” respectively.

The Malaysian Sangha Association held its AGM in conjunction with the annual successfully-organised Mahasanghikadana on 15 June 2008 (Sunday) at Than Hsiang Temple.

Than Hsiang Sunday school successfully convened its 2008 Buddhist youth camp from 29 May to 1 June at the 5th floor Multi-purpose hall. The total 130 participants were seperated into 10 groups, named after the Paramita classifications.

The theme of the camp is “search, discover and grow”. The camp was declared opened by Ven. Zhen Xin, accompanied by the chairman of the organizing committee and the camp superintendent at 7.30pm in the evening of 29 May, followed by offerings to the Buddha and dharma-sharing by the Venerable.

Two major disasters struck in May this year bringing untold sufferings to millions of people. On 2 May 2008 tropical cyclone Nargis hit the coast of Myanmar and devastated a large part of the low Irrawady delta. Homes were flattened, trees uprooted and power-lines downed. Up to 90 % of homes in rural areas wiped off the surface of the earth. Such a calamity the country has never faced before, the scale of needs is clearly massive. Casualty figures continued to rise and estimated to exceed 23000.

About one hundred people attended this year’s Fo San (the three-day Amitabha name-recitation retreat) from the 5th to 8th of June held at Than Hsiang temple.

(Penang-18 May 2008)—Hundreds of devotees, with lighted LED-candle in their hands, thronged the Than Hsiang multi-purpose hall to usher in the 2552 B.E. and at the same time help to raise fund for the relocation of Phor Tay High School.

The open day for BM Kindergarten was held on the morning of the 5th of May 2008. In conjunction with its 1st annual open day since its establishment, a Buddha- bathing ceremony was also arranged ahead of the Buddha day, to be followed up on the same day with a parenting talk by the renowned child educationist and ex-head master, Mr. Tan Kerk Chee .

The 2008 labour day (1st of May) is memorable to Than Hsiang Temple as the day witnessed the official opening of its new canteen, vegetarian restaurant and articles shop as well as the 14th anniversary of Wan Chin Yan , the senior citizens home, by Ven. Wei Wu.

The double celebration attracted about 100 guests who also joined the 50 plus inmates in Ta Pei Tian (the great compassion hall) commemorating the 14th anniversary of its founding.