Hosting of Ching Ming Dharma Function at FGS South Island
On 3rd April 2021, Fo Guang Shan (FGS) South Island hosted the Ching Ming Dharma Function – Precious Diamond Litany. 80 people, consisted of FGS devotees and Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) South Island members, attended the Function. The Abbess of FGS New Zealand Venerable Manshin led the congregation in reciting the Precious Diamond Litany Sutra. At the Dharma Function, the congregation followed the Abbess and the Venerables in prayers devoted to the seeking of their deceased ancestors’ ascents to Buddha’s pure land. They also prayed for the elimination of calamities and disasters for their families and the World.
In her speech, Venerable Abbess Manshin remarked that “many people do not understand the true meaning behind the learning of Buddhism. Buddha was enlightened 2600 years ago with complete understanding of Human nature and all phenomena. When we cling on to attachments, or are in a confused state and do not know the truth, we will fall into pain and suffering. To learn Buddhism is to learn the compassion and wisdom of Buddha. As such, Buddhists must always improve ourselves through the learning and practice of the Dharma. When we come to the Temple, we can get close to the Dharma and gain good knowledge. This can in turn increase our confidence on our road of learning Buddhism.
Buddha had taught not only Human beings, but also the Beings in the heavenly realm. At the Ching Ming Dharma Function, the Venerable carried out the chanting of sutra and the delivery of sermon to all the Beings. The objective of the Ching Ming Dharma Function is not only to seek for the ascents of the deceased ancestors to the Buddha’s Pure Land, but also to seek for our own salvation through correcting our bad habits. By reciting the Precious Diamond Litany Sutra and through genuine repentance, we can decrease our past bad habits and karmas and get a chance of rebirth into the Human realm. There are many things that require repentance in our daily lives, such as committing mistakes in our speeches, behaviours and perceptions. By always keeping Buddha’s Teachings in our heart and by always chanting the Sutra, we will naturally establish a resonance, and hence a closeness, with the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas.”
Through this Ching Ming Dharma Function, it was hoped that the dead could be lifted and be reborn into a better realm. If reborn as a human being, he can practise and learn Buddhism as a person. It was also hoped that the participants of the Dharma Function can take good care of their bodies, mouths and minds not to harm others and can encourage and support one another in their pursuit of Buddhism.