Organised by the Working Committee of M.B.S.A. Maha Sanghikadana

INTRODUCTION

Official Opening Ceremony

Venerable Professor Bhikku Dhammavihari Thero is no stranger to Than Hsiang Temple in Penang. The Venerable Professor had stayed and taught the Buddha Dharma at Than Hsiang Temple and also at the Klintiendharm (Than Hsiang) Foundation in Thailand from 1999 to 2000. We were honored that the Venerable Professor revisited Than Hsiang Temple from the 3rd to 7th April 2005. Venerable Professor Dhammavihari was escorted by Venerable Sumana who is also from Sri Lanka.

Than Hsiang Foundation of Kuala Lumpur, organized and invited Xi Chao Bao Ern Buddhist Vihara's abbot Venerable Guo Neng to the Chinese Assembly Hall in Kuala Lumpur to conduct the Cun Di Bodhisattva Auspicious Blessing Dharma Assembly for three days from the 1 st to 3 rd April 2005.

Venerable Guo Neng became a monk many years ago. The Venerable had always helped other Buddhist associations in their activities. In November of 2004 he visited the International Buddhist College, located

This celebration not only acknowledges the impact of the Metta Free Clinic and the Metta Mobile Free Clinic which have been providing free treatment and free traditional Chinese medicine for the lower income group, but also brought together the people who were pioneered, implemented, ran, supported and benefited from services that the Metta clinic provides.

The Qing Ming Jie is one of the major Chinese festivals that had been celebrated in China for thousand of years. Qing Ming Jie or just Qing Ming in short, is a period to remember, honor and pay respect to one's deceased ancestors and family members. It reinforces filial piety in the Chinese community by requiring them to make special efforts to visit graves, columbarium or temples to pay their respects.

Bodhicitta or Bodhi mind is important in Buddhism, with the objective of helping all sentient beings and to attain Buddhahood. Thus the Wan Ching Yuen Centre for Senior Citizens runs a very different way, which is the actualization of the Than Hsiang Conviction – ‘for the aged and sick to be cared for’.

To welcome the Year of the Rooster, Tham Wah Wan Buddhist Temple and the Ratnasri Buddhist Centre jointly organized the Yellow Zambala Puja. The Puja or Buddhist Religious Ceremony was organized to usher in the New Year with wishes for blessings and peace at Tham Wah Wan in Old Klang Road and attracted a very large crowd of devotees.

It was a bright and sunny morning on the 4th day of the 2nd Chinese Lunar Month of the year of the Rooster. Than Hsiang Temple in Penang was bursting with activities. Tens of devotees arrived and gathered in small groups. Greetings of Amituofo (Amitabha) were passed between fellow friends and devotees. Some make their way to the canteen for a quick vegetarian breakfast. Others went upstairs to wait for the monthly “Eight-Precept Cultivation” to start.

As a young child, one of the most exciting things is to have a party, especially a party to celebrate one’s birthday. At monthly birthday celebration for the Kindergarten students at Than Hsiang Temple, we witness the very same air of excitement, joy, happiness and laughter. The children even persuade their parents and family members to bring them to school early and want their loved ones to be with them for the party and to share the joy that they really look forward to. That day they are usually on their best behavior and looking after them is so easy.