September 11, 2003:-
Amidst the silent musings of the night, small groups of people, some carrying unlit lanterns, headed towards the brightly lit area of Than Hsiang temple. The moon, which shone with an unusual brightness, cast its light on the throngs of people who were already gathered around the Great Compassion Hall to celebrate the moon cake or mid-autumn festival.

In the hall, devotees listened attentively to a talk by Ven. Wei Wu, who spoke about the wisdom of parents to educate their child by relating a story based on this concept. Bro. Tan Hong Tee then gave a brief background on the history of the moon cake festival.

Outside the hall, devotees and volunteers alike began to light up the lanterns, much to the delight of the children who could not wait to begin the lantern procession. Some of the little ones even brought along their own lanterns that came in all colours and sizes. Parents were seen busily clicking away, as their children posed for them with their lanterns.

After a ‘music and movement’ performance by the Than Hsiang Kindergarten children in the hall, Ven. Wei Wu and the sangha members led the lantern procession around the temple. Gales of laughter could be heard as the children and their parents begun the procession, ‘swinging’ their colourful and multi shaped lanterns which were brightly lit.

The procession ended at the canteen, where various foods prepared for the moon cake festivities were laid out on the tables. The devotees enjoyed themselves feasting on moon cakes, mini yams, groundnuts, abuk-abuk, kuih kosui, angku kuih, steamed radish cake, fried noodles, fried kuih kak, chocolates, ‘dragon horns’, etc.