My Experience in the
International Buddhist College
by Konchok Teoh

This short article is about how I arrived in the International Buddhist College (IBC) in Songkhla Province of Southern Thailand.

I am from Kuala Lumpur. My journey began from Kuala Lumpur and I arrived in Hatyai. From Hatyai Plaza, near the Talat Sod Wet Market, I took a local bus which goes to Khlong Ngae district. Khlong Ngae district has a small population. Most people staying in Khlong Ngae district are Thai, others are Thai Chinese, Thai Muslim and other nationalities. From there I took a motor cycle taxi (or known as ‘tut tut’) for another 6 km in order to arrive at IBC.

The students for the first semester in year 2004 are mostly monks and nuns. They are from various countries such as Bangladesh, China, Nepal, Tibet, Thailand, Cambodia and Sri Lanka. IBC’s main buildings were in semi-completion in late August 2004. These students moved in from the temporary campus in Hatyai.

Today the Study Block and the Administration Block are in-operation. Another block which consists of a Library and an Auditorium is yet to be completed. The library has started its operation. Than Hsiang Fund is targeting for the Official Opening Ceremony in July 2005.

This year’s intake of new students will begin in April 2005 and at the same time IBC’s first batch of students will be sitting for their semester end assessment examination. The students will be finishing their test-paper in the middle of March. After that they will be looking forward with enthusiasm to welcome the new students like myself.

At the beginning , I participated in the Mani Mantra Puja organized by Than Hsiang Temple. Then I came across the Klintiendharm (Than Hsiang) Foundation. I felt very lucky and fortunate so I inquired about IBC. With this knowledge in mind, at the beginning of this year, I took the effort to visit IBC and also to summit my application form for April 2005 intake. After visited IBC, I felt very positive that more and more new students like myself would join IBC. As a member of Than Hsiang, we should feel proud of IBC and how it can benefit Buddhist Learners. IBC will become a stepping stone for Buddhist who want to become more knowledgeable into Buddhist studies. We rejoice for what we have: Sadhu! Sadhu! Sadhu!

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If you would like to share your own experiences in Buddhism, please feel free to email the editor at rykong@thanhsiang.org.