On the 20th September 2009, our IBC's monastic students participated in an auspicious International Mahasanghikadana, organized by Malaysian Buddhist Sangha Association. Our students arrived at Than Hsiang temple on 19th September at 10.45a.m., where we had our lunch. The main purpose of our visit to Penang was to join in the International Mahasanghikadana, but coincidently it turned out to be a memorable cultural, educational and religious trip as well.

On 19th September, after having our lunch we went to visit Snake Temple and several significant world heritage sights, including Kek Lok Si Temple (means 'Temple of Supreme Bliss'), which is an oldest Buddhist temple in Penang built in 1890, and its pagoda is considered one of Penang's most beautiful architectural wonders with its Chinese octagonal base, Thai middle tier and Burmese crown. Thereafter, we moved to the Batu Feringgi which is one of Penang's most popular sea front beaches.

In the night at 8.00 p.m. a Dhamma Talk was given by an eminent Pali and Buddhist scholar Ven. Professor Dhammavihari on the Early Buddhism, covering the importance of human quality that should be cultivated without relying on superstitious beliefs but through understanding. He advised that all humans have equal potential to attain Buddhahood, release from a state of unsatisfactoriness which is taught in the early Buddhist discourses, not just believing that everything happens due to previous Karma but everything is related by many factors of conditioning.

On 20th September after our breakfast we got ready to join in the Mahasanghikadana at the Phor Tay Chinese Secondary School. The offering ceremony commenced with paying homage to the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Sangha. The opening speech was given by the representative of the Chief Minister of Penang State. The Buddhist religious chanting were chanted respectively from both Mahayana and Theravada tradition.

After joining in the offering we visited Little India in Georgetown, market of the Indian people. At 4.00p.m., we moved to Fort Cornwallis, which was built when Captain Francis Light first landed on Penang to guard over the island's cape. In the evening we departed Penang for IBC.