‘Together, We are one Family’

Than Hsiang Kalyana Mitra Home recently organised a House Camp on the 5th and 6th of July, 2003.The purpose of this activity is to help the new housemates, who mainly consists of students from USM and TAR College, to get acquainted with living in a Kalyana Mitra Home.

Besides this, it is an opportunity for these students from both the USM and TAR College Kalyana Mitra Home to get to know each other, and to foster a closer relationship with each other. During the House Camp, three of the Than Hsiang staff shared their experiences with the students on the lifestyle and concept of a friendly Kalyana Mitra Home. Bro. Hock Heng, coordinator of the House Camp, talked about the formation, uniqueness and purpose of having a Than Hsiang Kalyana Mitra Home, while the next speaker Bro. Han Chun, Aixin Ge-Ge, shared his experiences on the principle of fostering a healthy relationship between house members in order to gain a 'six harmonious respect'. The last speaker, Sis. Lay Chin from the Mitra Welfare Centre, shared her experiences living in a UM Buddhist House in Kuala Lumpur.

The concept of a Kalyana Mitra home is to 'Bring Buddhism into Daily Practice', and to emphasize on the true understanding of Buddhism. Therefore, through the preparation of three meals a day, housekeeping, morning and night prayers, sharing and discussion of the dharma together, the housemates will be able to bring the joy of Buddhism into their lives. Though the students were still new to the learning of Buddhism, as well as housekeeping duties, but with the enthusiasm to learn and share new ideas, all difficulties were overcome!

During the camp, a brainstorm session was also held to ascertain the future direction of the Kalyana Mitra Home. After the session, the students felt that the most important task for the moment is to upgrade their Buddhism knowledge and to practice the Dharma Path daily. Thus, in this semester, more smaller groups discussions on dharma teachings will be conducted to encourage the students to take up Buddhism courses.

‘To lead a harmonious life is to live comfortably in a Kalyana Mitra Home’ is a concept which the students hope to practice. It is indeed good karma for the students to have the opportunity to stay in a friendly Kalyana Mitra Home, as well as the chance to learn from the knowledgeable monks on the practice of the Triple Gem.

We hope that the students will give support to each other to walk the Dharma path together.

Amitabha!