FGS South Island NZ Emperor Liang Repentance Service
In response to Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s advocacy of propagating Buddhism through education, and in support of Nan Tian Institute efforts to nurture talents, Nan Tian Temple plans to organise a Waterland Dharma Function on 24th March 2019. In conjunction with this auspicious Waterland Dharma Function, Fo Guang Shan (FGS) Temple South Island organised the Emperor Liang Repentance Service on 8th to 11th June 2018 as the first of a series of such services organised by FGS in the Oceania Continent as preludes to the Waterland Dharma Function to be held in Nan Tian Temple Sydney. The Repentance Dharma Service in FGS South Island NZ was led by FGS New Zealand Abbess Venerable Manshin, with Venerable Miao Yi and Venerable Zhi Shan from Nan Tian Temple Australia, South Sydney Fo Guang Yuan Venerable Miao Rao, FGS North Island Venerable Rulian and Venerable Miao Yu, as active participants.
On 8th June, the first day of the 4-day Service, a cleansing ceremony was first carried out and this was followed by the chanting of chapter one of the Emperor Liang Repentance Sutra. In all, more than 80 devotees from Australia and New Zealand took part in the Service, among these were 3 Lead Grand Ceremony devotee, 1 Grand Ceremony devotee, 4 Repentance devotee and 15 Waterland devotee. The devotees piously carried out the chanting, transferring their merits to their deceased ancestors. The devotees also offered incense to the Buddha, Bodhisattvas and Celestial Dharma Protectors, and prayed for peace and safety, spiritual purity, and Dharma wisdom.
Later in her speech, Venerable Abbess Manshin praised FGS Oceania Abbess Venerable Manko for allowing Oceania FGS Temples to hold different type of Waterland Dharma Function at each Temple with the Waterland Dharma Function at Nan Tian Temple Sydney as the grand final Function. For this purpose, FGS South Island New Zealand was accorded with organising the Emperor Liang Repentance Service. Venerable Abbess Manshin also mentioned that all the participants of this Service have been blessed with good Karma to be able to take part in this auspicious Dharma Service and to be able to chant the outstanding piece of Repentance Sutra written by Chan’ Master Bao Zhi Gong.
Venerable Abbess pointed out that the Repentance Sutra reiterates the importance of Equality in Buddhism and teaches that if one wishes to reap good harvest, one should first sow good seeds. Chapter one of the Sutra teaches that one should not hinder others in their practice of Buddhism and their learning of Dharma. In fact, one should bestow one’s blessings and praises onto someone undertaking the Dharma cultivation. People should also have the determination to accomplish their objectives by applying their wisdom acquired through practice of Buddhism. Venerable Abbess then talked about the 3 important points highlighted in the Repentance Sutra, namely:
1) taking refuge under the Triple Gem and sharing this good news with others;
2) removing all doubts on the Dharma, be diligent in following the teachings of the Dharma in order to cultivate one’s good Karma;
3) exploring one’s unlimited wisdom and potentials through repentance.
At the end of the Service, Venerable Abbess encouraged the devotees to help one another in their pursue of Buddhism cultivation, and wished that they will be able to meet one another when at the dragon-flower tree and teaching in first of the three assemblies.