The Qing Ming Jie is one of the major Chinese festivals that had been celebrated in China for thousand of years. Qing Ming Jie or just Qing Ming in short, is a period to remember, honor and pay respect to one's deceased ancestors and family members. It reinforces filial piety in the Chinese community by requiring them to make special efforts to visit graves, columbarium or temples to pay their respects.

Bodhicitta or Bodhi mind is important in Buddhism, with the objective of helping all sentient beings and to attain Buddhahood. Thus the Wan Ching Yuen Centre for Senior Citizens runs a very different way, which is the actualization of the Than Hsiang Conviction – ‘for the aged and sick to be cared for’.

To welcome the Year of the Rooster, Tham Wah Wan Buddhist Temple and the Ratnasri Buddhist Centre jointly organized the Yellow Zambala Puja. The Puja or Buddhist Religious Ceremony was organized to usher in the New Year with wishes for blessings and peace at Tham Wah Wan in Old Klang Road and attracted a very large crowd of devotees.

It was a bright and sunny morning on the 4th day of the 2nd Chinese Lunar Month of the year of the Rooster. Than Hsiang Temple in Penang was bursting with activities. Tens of devotees arrived and gathered in small groups. Greetings of Amituofo (Amitabha) were passed between fellow friends and devotees. Some make their way to the canteen for a quick vegetarian breakfast. Others went upstairs to wait for the monthly “Eight-Precept Cultivation” to start.

As a young child, one of the most exciting things is to have a party, especially a party to celebrate one’s birthday. At monthly birthday celebration for the Kindergarten students at Than Hsiang Temple, we witness the very same air of excitement, joy, happiness and laughter. The children even persuade their parents and family members to bring them to school early and want their loved ones to be with them for the party and to share the joy that they really look forward to. That day they are usually on their best behavior and looking after them is so easy.

The Lunar New Year is the most significant festival for ethnic Chinese around the world, wherever they come from. The Chinese New Year celebration in Tham Wah Temple was a very jubilant occasion mainly because this time Sangha members as well as other members from every branch took a break from work to get together as one big family.

Mr. Yeoh Poh Khim with his family members and staff visited Wan Ching Yuen Centre and made a generous donation on the fourth day of the New Year. The group also sponsored the afternoon tea and distributed ang-pows. Residents, staff and members of the group enjoyed themselves as they presented songs and sang along together.

Mr Lim Yew Chew was invited to hold a Calligraphy Exhibition in Than Hsiang Temple. 26 pieces of his calligraphy were exhibited in our Main Shrine Hall. The manuscripts were sold for RM 500 to RM 1000. Mr. Lim donated all the income from the sale to International Buddhist College. Those who attended the exhibition got to see the pair banners which are considered to be the longest in the world. Mr. Lim demonstrated his skill in calligraphy by writing two Chinese words after the opening ceremony, Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan and other sponsors graced the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Chinese New Year Eve Buddha Name Recitation

The annual reunion dinner was held once again on Saturday, 29 th January at the Multi-purpose hall of Than Hsiang Temple. Residents, staff, volunteers and suppliers gathered for a wonderful giant steamboat cum buffet dinner. It was wonderful yearly event for members of the Than Hsiang family to forget about work, let their hair down and also enjoy themselves. The food was delicious and the atmosphere warm and happy.