On the fifteenth day of the fourth lunar month, Buddha Day, Than Hsiang Temple solemnly held some Buddha Day Celebration Activities.

At around 7:30 a.m., the Than Hsiang temple canteen began preparing buns, dumplings,fried noodles, porridge, Putu Piring, etc to offer to the public. At the same time, volunteers also began to prepare packed rice boxes to be provided as lunch for the public.

At the ground floor of the Great Compassion Hall, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., there was a Sangha Blessings station. Each devotee lined up to receive blessings from the Sangha members and was given five-coloured threads symbolizing peace and auspiciousness.

In addition,the Great Compassion Hall housed the Foundation counter, where devotees could register to Lamp-Lighting, whole year offering of lights, etc. There was also a bookmark colouring activity for children to joyfully colour, as well as booths for Dharma items and fundraising by Penang Wan Ching Yuen. The entire hall gradually became lively.

Outside the Great Compassion Hall, two Buddha Bathing basins were set up for the public,along with flower stalls and volunteers preparing floral water.

On the sixth floor, the Main Shrine Hall was also opened for Buddha Bathing. Some devotees,after bathing the Buddha, sat inside waiting for the noon offering ceremony. At around 10:45a.m.,the Noon Offering Ceremony was held, with many devotees arriving to participate.After the ceremony, the Sangha members proceeded to the Yan Sheng Tan for dedication of merits,and then to the San Sheng Dian for further dedication.

At 1:00 p.m., the Transmission of the Three Refuges and Five Precepts was conducted in the Main Shrine Hall. Before the ceremony, two sisters explained and demonstrated the Buddhist etiquette. Afterwards, Venerable Zhen Ru compassionately delivered a Dharma talk,elaborating on the profound meaning of theThree Refuges and Five Precepts, the proper motivation for learning the Dharma, and the ceremony process. He emphasized the importance of taking refuge in the Triple Gem for personal cultivation and liberation from afflictions and pointed out that observing the precepts is the key to cultivating mindfulness and eliminating greed,anger,ignorance,arrogance,doubt,and wrong views.

Following the talk, the ceremony officially began, with about eighteen preceptees participating.Before the conclusion,Venerable Zhen Ru distributed the Three Refuges Certificates and Five Precept Certificates to everyone. Thus, the Three Refuges and Five Precepts ceremony was successfully completed.

The Buddha Day Celebration at Than Hsiang Temple concluded with these activities.

At 3:00 p.m., the Sunday Dharma School and Youth Group gathered at the Great Compassion Hall.Before departure, Venerable Zhen Nian gave a brief Dharma talk,reminding participants to participate the procession with respect, mindfulness,joy, and gratitude, while paying attention to safety and caring for one another, thereby enhancing spiritual cultivation and spreading the Dharma.After the talk, everyone prepared to set off for the Buddha Day procession.

Herein,Than Hsiang Temple wishes everyone a Happy Vesak Day.

******************************************************
More photos:https://thanhsiang.org/CH/node/7005
******************************************************

Spread the Buddha's teachings to guide more people to study Buddhism.
Continue diligently in the path studying the Buddha's teachings and listening to the Dharma.
Follow us on:
https://linktr.ee/thanhsiang