Date:31th May 2012 - 3th June 2012
Venue:Multi Purpose Hall (the fifth floor)
Participants:112 people

An account of the trip from day 1 to day 16:

Day 1 – 26th November 2011: We departed KLIA for Mumbai

Day 2 – 27th November 2011: We arrived at Ajanta Caves in Aurangabad

BUDDHIST PILGRIMAGE IN INDIA (26Nov-12Dec 2011)
by Seow Phaik Im

A Buddhist Pilgrimage to the Holy Sites 30 Years later ………………………….

Let me steal some time off our retreat. I know that you are going through a tough period.

Sorry I was not able to spend much time and talk to many of you yesterday afternoon except Pao Yen.

One of the key event of the 25th anniversary celebration of Than Hsiang Buddhist welfare association is the launching of the commemorative pure gold Guan Yin medallion. The medalions are produced by Singapore Mint. Being one of the most revered and beloved Bodhisattva, Guan Yin has become the epitome of compassion for all aspiring bodhisattva, thus earning the epithet of the maha-bodhisatva of great compassion.

Established in 1985, Than Hsiang Buddhist welfare association was then operating from a small house . With the generous support from the devotees, the present Poium block known as “Ta Pei Dian “ was built in 1991. In time due to demand for space to cater to the growing activities of the temple , the present tower block was built for the development of welfare and educational works.

Than Hsiang Welfare Buddhist Welfare Association has set up yet another branch in Sg Petani, Kedah by acquiring four semi-detached building in Bandar Putri Jaya. The branch is called Than Hsiang Jing Yuan; it has a prayer hall, kindergarten and a welfare home for the aged and a Metta Free Clinic.

Very grateful to Venerable master Wei Wu too being so compassionate for offering me this opportunity to participate in this retreat. It has been always my desire to join, but due to my ignorance/ laziness and taking “WORKING” as an excuse, kept me postponing the cultivation. It has been almost ten years, since my previous Retreat. While in my journey from KL to Penang my mind kept thinking , age is catching up and this running out, I must make an effort to restart, I vowed to overcome any obstacles that I might encountered during the retreat.

When I first submit my name to participate in this retreat I did not know that TST Pure Land Buddhism. I took over the Buddhist organization in my place as a president when there are only less then ¼ members left. This happened when they started listen to "Ching Kong Fa Shi" Pure Land Buddhism tape. They get the idea that they need only learn to recite the Amitaba name. They do not have to listen to the Dharma talks and participete in other activities. I do not have "FA QI"(法器) group as all of them stay at home to recite on their own.