Than Hsiang Foundation of Kuala Lumpur, organized and invited Xi Chao Bao Ern Buddhist Vihara's abbot Venerable Guo Neng to the Chinese Assembly Hall in Kuala Lumpur to conduct the Cun Di Bodhisattva Auspicious Blessing Dharma Assembly for three days from the 1 st to 3 rd April 2005.

Venerable Guo Neng became a monk many years ago. The Venerable had always helped other Buddhist associations in their activities. In November of 2004 he visited the International Buddhist College, located

in Khlong Ngae, Southern Thailand. He was very impressed. He saluted Venerable Wei Wu's efforts, determination and vow to take on such a big and noble project to establish a Buddhist University. Thus the Venerable offered to help Venerable Wei Wu to collect donation so that more people can share the merit in the building a Buddhist University.

This program is not only supported by Venerable Guo Neng but also Venerable Yi Xiu and Venerable Xin Wu. The three days session was very impressive and auspicious.

The Purification and Consecration Ceremony was followed by the Dharma session on the Chanting of Cun Di Bodhisattva Mantra. In the Cun Di Bodhisattva Suttra it is stated that if we recite the Cun Di Bodhisattva Mantra, we are able to reduce our bad karma and increase our good karma. Relationships between husbands and wives can become better, and also grant wishes for a son. The mantra can help prolong your life and cure sickness. The mantra also helps you rid of our sins, and protect you against harm by negative elements of charms, curses, ghosts and deities. By chanting this mantra, you will constantly receive the protection of the Devas.

All those who participated in the three days session were very happy and satisfied. Beside the prayers there were also three sessions of dharma talks.

The first dharma teaching was by Venerable Wei Wu, abbot of Than Hsiang Temple. The Venerable stressed the Buddha's teaching and the Buddha's actions. Venerable Wei Wu also introduced the International Buddhist College to the public.

The International Buddhist College (IBC) covers an area of 110 acres. It is situated in Khlong Ngae District, which is half way between Bukit Kayu Hitam in Malaysia and Hat Yai in Southern Thailand. The IBC is the realization of the vision of establishing an institute of higher learning, offering quality Buddhist Education within a modern society, non-sectarian and spiritually dedicated environment. It also seeks to combine the rigors of academic scholarship with a healthy appreciation of the richness and diversity of Buddhist traditions through history and the world. When fully established it will consist of three main colleges, offering courses in Theravada Buddhist Studies, Mahayana Buddhist Studies and Vajrayana Buddhist Studies. Besides that, circular courses on pre-school education, counseling, geriatric care and other will be offered.

Plans for the first phase building project of the International Buddhist College started since the first recruitment of students in July 2000. The temporary campus campus renovated from three four-level shop lots is strategically located in Hat Yai. A Ground Breaking Ceremony marking the commencement of the first phase building project with a total build up area of 100,000 square feet was held in December 2001. This project comprises the building of a center block which houses the prayer hall cum library, an administrative block, a study block, a canteen block, and three blocks of hostels. The budgeted expenses for these building project is ten million ringgit. (RM 10,000,000).

The International Buddhist College is an institute open to all Buddhists and staunch support from the public is needed to make it a success.

The second dharma teaching was conducted by Venerable Yi Xiu, the Abbot of the Da Zhi Library in Petaling Jaya. The Venerable spoke about Prosperity and Wisdom, stressing the importance of wisdom. “Meng Shan Shi Shi” Prayers for the deceased and the transfer of merits to the departed was conducted on the evening of the third day.

The third dharma teaching was given by Venerable Guo Neng who also conducted the closing ceremony. Venerable Guo Neng, in the closing speech thanked all those who helped and contributed to wards the assembly. He also handed out some gifts to the sponsors and volunteer workers.