My First Trip to Malaysia

Reported by Yang Xueqin, BA1 student
On November 21st, I went to Malaysia by road with Ven. Zhen Ti. The main purpose of my trip was to attend the International Young Buddhist Scholars Conference organized by International Buddhist College (IBC) and Than Hsiang Foundation.

Our first stop was the Bujang Valley in Kedah. Set against a beautiful natural landscape, Bujang Valley is one of Malaysia's richest archaeological sites and is historically significant for Buddhist learning and exchange. We also visited the Bujang Valley Archaeological Museum, which displays artifacts and a model of the ancient site, offering insights into its rich history.

Next, I visited the Than Hsiang Wan Ching Yuen Centre elderly home and the Than Hsiang Kindergarten in Sungai Petani, Kedah. The kindergarten staff invited us to join the Children’s Day program the following day, marking my first time celebrating the event in Malaysia.

On November 23rd and 24th, I attended the International Young Buddhist Scholars Conference at Than Hsiang Temple, Penang, conducted in English and Chinese respectively. Although I could not fully understand all the presentations, I gained valuable insights and appreciated the scholars' dedication to their research. After the first day of the conference, a Than Hsiang volunteer took two speakers and me for a tour of University of Science Malaysia (USM), offering me a glimpse into university life.

Before leaving Penang, we visited Than Hsiang Sungai Ara Wan Ching Yuen Centre and another kindergarten. At Wan Ching Yuen Centre, I spent time with the elderly, who shared their artwork with us, and we sang songs together. Before lunch, I helped serve food to the residents. At the kindergarten, I was impressed by the children's discipline and creativity. They proudly showed us their artwork and shared their stories with us.

Reflecting on my experiences with both the elderly and the children, I realized how vital early childhood education and elderly care are to the well-being of the society. Those who dedicate their time to these areas deserve our respect and support. Everyone in society can contribute, whether giving direct help or just offering a simple word of appreciation.
This trip to Malaysia was more enriching than I had expected. It was a meaningful trip, filled with enriching experiences and important reflections. I am deeply grateful to IBC for giving me this opportunity. Thank you.