The International Buddhist College 5th Convocation Seminar was held at Than Hsiang Temple on Sunday, August 4th. 9 scholars from Belgium, Japan, the United States, Sri Lanka, China and Malaysia presented their papers while about 200 people attended the seminar which had been conducted in Chinese and English at Multi Purpose Halls on the ground floor and the 5th floor respectively. 55% of the participants attended the English section.

BUDDHIST educationists, leaders and members of Sangha and anyone who feels Buddhist at heart are invited to a seminar on August 4 at Than Hsiang Temple in Penang.

Maha Sanghikadana is an important event well known among Buddhists of both the Theravada and Mahayana traditions. Once, Buddha asked his disciple, Venerable Maudgalyayana, to perform this meritorious deed on Ullambana Day in order to rescue his mother who was suffering in the hungry ghost realm. His mother was saved by his deed. Thus, many Buddhists follow Venerable Maudgalyayana’s example by performing the Maha Sanghikadana to benefit their parents, both living and deceased.

Wan Ching Yuen, Sungai Petani celebrated its 3rd anniversary at Than Hsiang Jing Yuan, Sungai Petani on 30th June 2012. Venerable Zhen Xin and Sister Gaik Ean briefed the volunteers on their respective duties after everybody had enjoyed a delicious and nutritious breakfast prepared by dedicated kitchen helpers early in the morning.

Sungai Petani Than Hsiang Kindergarten held a two-day Children’s Camp in the weekends from 26 to 27 May.

2012 Children’s Camp themed “Let Love Permeate My Home” was held successfully by the Sunday Buddhist Class at Than Hsiang Chan Yuan on Sunday, May 27th. It was open to children aged between 7 to 12 years old.

Due to its president Brother Zhan Zhong’s dedicated efforts, preparations started months ago. Forty-four students participated in the camp which was in its fifth year since inception.

On May 6th, a Heart Sutra Recitation and Writing Contest was held the first time by the Sunday Buddhist School at Than Hsiang Chan Yuan.

On Friday 27th April 2012, Friday Buddhist Class of Than Hsiang Jing Yuan held the second Buddhist Hymns Competition with an aim to promote interests towards Buddhist hymns among the children. In addition to that, it is hoped that the children will be exposed to more Buddhist hymns and establish a positive outlook on life by learning the ethical and moral values conveyed in the songs.

From May 31st to June 3rd , Than Hsiang Temple organized a three-day Amitabha Recitation Retreat at the Multipurpose Hall. 112 people participated in the retreat and more than 80% were women. Nearly 50% came from other states and sister Low Shaik Yeng came from Sabah. The youngest was 18-year-old Lim Pei Ting who came from Bukit Mertajam. Eighty-year-old Kok Geok Lan from Penang was the oldest among the participants.

From May 26th to 30th (8 p.m. to 10 p.m.), Venerable Hui Ming delivered a series of Dharma talk with “Bodhi Heart, Bodhisattva Act” as its main theme at the Phor Tay High School Hall. As a whole, the five-night Dharma talks attracted more than 3,000 people.

This series of Dharma talks was aimed at creating a living environment where everyone can learn to become Bodhisattvas. Venerable Hui Ming had each of the five great Bodhisattvas of Mahayana Buddhism i.e. Ksitigarbha, Manjusri, Avalokitesvara, Maitreya and Samantabhadra as the theme for each night respectively.