“Medicine Buddha Treasured Repentance” Dharma Function – Taking in the Wise Words of the Medicine Buddha
The “Medicine Buddha Treasured Repentance” Dharma Function was held on 8th November, where over 160 devotees sincerely repented for their past transgression by following the Presiding Minister Venerable Abbess Manshin and other Venerables. Merits from everyone’s accumulation of chanting the “Medicine Buddha Sutra” 333 times and repeating the “Medicine Buddha Mantra” 10830 times were transferred accordingly.
Afterwards the Abbess explained the meaning behind the Medicine Buddha’s title and his 12 Great vows, emphasising that the Medicine Buddha is a teacher that offers us the medicine of enlightenment and 12 vows that can allow everyone’s wishes to come true. Many lights were offered to adorn the ceremonial venue, which brought justice to the Medicine Buddha’s full title of “Medicine Buddha of Pure Crystal Radiance”. This Pure Crystal Radiance can pierce the darkness of our afflictions to bring out bright hopes for the future.
The Abbess use further life examples to expound the 12 Vows in detail.
• 1st Vow of equality between Buddhas and all sentient beings – Even though this Saha World is the world of endurance, as long as we can comprehend causes and conditions, this wisdom can lead us to the reality of equality.
• 2nd Vow of awakening sentient to achieve their endeavours – Allowing sentient beings to obtain adequate resources for life and success to their endeavours. This is like Humanistic Buddhism’s spirit of living a happy life.
• 3rd to 5th Vows include abundance of material needs, complete in right views and able to purely observe precepts – they allow beings to peacefully abide in Mahayana Buddhism and attain right views and understanding from diligently observing the precepts.
• 6th Vow of complete in body’s faculties – This is the great fortune of a being possessing complete bodily faculties and lead a fulfilled life with wisdom.
• The 7th to 12th Vows includes transforming from female to male, turning wrong views to right views, liberated from worries, sadness, suffering and distress, satiated in one’s hunger and have adequate clothing – These all arised from the Medicine Buddha’s wondrous and Perfectly Accomplished Wisdom, thus empowering us to lead happy lives, therefore able to practice at peace.