THAN HSIANG JING YUAN, SUNGAI PETANI

Than Hsiang Jing Yuan is set up with a stimulating and holistic environment and also based on the four convictions of Than Hsiang, that is:-

I need to have more practice. I cannot deny that the past few months was a trying time for me and I suppose to say sorry for all those around me. However I did not register for this FO SAN on my own. Again I was entry-sick, motivated only to do so by my kalyana mitras who saw my need more than I. For this, I am lucky and grateful as I am indeed blessed in many ways. I have an extremely supportive and understanding family who are always there for me.

The Lay Sangha members together with members of the chanting group Than Hsiang Zang Yuan (THZY) organized a one day recitation retreat at THZY in Sg. Ara. Many who are not staying in the vicinity of Sungai Ara or Relau might not know of this centre which was in operation since 2006 when the Mitra Welfare Centre (MWC) moved into its new premises (THZY). Every Thursday, the centre conducts devotional chanting of the Amitabha Buddha Sutra and 88-Buddha Repentance on first Thursday of each month for the convenience of Buddhists and residents around the vicinity.

It was already 8:30am and none of the named volunteers for the said project could be seen at the temple premises. I felt a little relieved when Sis Poi Kin walked into the canteen after a little while. (Sis Poi Kin really walk the talk by taking public transport from her house in town to THT) We sat near to the enzyme counter and started to discuss about enzymes with Sis Gaik Yen giving some input while she was setting up her stall. Still no sign of the others…until Sis Chun Yan turned up.

Thai Bhikkhuni Rattanavali, the recipient of the outstanding woman in Buddhism award in 2002 visited Than Hsiang on 17 of April 2008. It is rare to meet a fully ordained nun of the Theravada tradition. What we normally have are the Mae Chee , clad in white or pink robe, who follow the eight or ten precepts, rather than the 311 rules of the bhikkhuni patimokkha. Theravada Bhikkhuni order is a controversial issue in Theravada Buddhist countries such as Sri Lanka, Thailand, Burma and Cambodia.

Than Hsiang temple in collaboration with Mahindrama temple, Penang Buddhist Association and Bukit Mertajam Buddhist Association jointly organized a series of talks by Dato Dr. Kumarasiri from the 28th to 30th of April 2008. Two of the dharma talks were held in Than Hsiang temple while the rest in their respective association’s venues.

The first session entitled “Holistic parenting—key to success and Happiness” was held at 10am on 29th March 2008; while the second session, entitled “ Living Buddhism the way forward,” began at 8pm on the same day.

Upon the fulcrum of the yellow sun,
the white crescent moon hovers aloof.
Illumines the beholder with a bright smile
that span across the indigo sky.

Is it merely the moon in the water?

It was the 15th of the second Lunar month of the Chinese calendar, which was also my Chinese calendar birth date. As usual, after a hectic morning in the office, I took a drive out to a vegetarian shop nearby for lunch. Having ordered a simple meal, I took a seat in a corner of the shop and waited quietly to be served. On my left, there was a poster with a few Chinese wordings which caught my eyes instantly. Those words are as follows:

It seems comforting to be told
That old is really gold.
Yet in truth so unnerving to see some old
Left in the cold alone in their world.

In bungalows, in shacks or in homes,