Than Hsiang Mudita Vihara _19.9.2021

In this age of doom, if a teacher would like to train his students to be a five star distinction achiever (120%) , then the teacher has to instruct the student to run around “jiang hu”! In the ancient era,those who would like to learn by wandering school，that is the meaning of running around “jiang hu” ！

He was once a Departmental Manager of Hewlett Packard Malaysia. In 1987 he established his own consultant company in Malaysia. His clientele covered Asia, Europe and the United States, including many multinational companies. But such a successful entrepreneur, at the peak of career, decided to renounce and spend the rest of his life to contribute to Buddhism.

In some developing countries, which also happen to be international commercial centres, there has been in recent years a big fuss made by some Buddhist leaders on the so called “application of Buddhism” or “Applied Buddhism”. One almost routinely sees such hugely publicized events as “The modern application of ancient wisdom”, etc., organized by well known Buddhist figures and Buddhist educational institutions. The main argument of these leading Buddhists and Buddhist institutions is that Buddhism must have important “impacts” on society, or else it is as good as dead!

In a Buddhist practice or event, we emphasize the need to do the three main parts with mindfulness - Preliminary, Main and Concluding Part. I wish to revise this teaching with you in conjunction with the recent events to celebrate the Guan Yin or Avaloketesvara Anniversary held in conjunction with the 25th Anniversary of the Than Hsiang Buddhist Welfare Association.

REFLECTION ON OTHERS’ MERITS, DEVELOPING GRATITUDE TOWARDS THEM
(CONTEMPLATING MERITS AND DEVELOPING GRATITUDE)

Dharma Teachings from Ven. Elder Pak Wan

1. Starting a Buddhist Family

Maintaining a happy and harmonious Buddhist family requires three important factors, spouses should develop: