Saturday Morning Service

Saturday 4 July 2009

The Temple Saturday Service followed its traditional format of Tai Chi, various forms of meditation and our Dharma discussion class.

Our guiding Reverend, Venerable Miaoyu spoke to the group about cultivating inner fortune through understanding Humanistic Buddhism via interaction with others such as the Fo Guang Shan Temple Buddhism classes.

She encouraged us not to have blind faith and that we are encouraged to be curious and to ask questions. In this way we make room to take on new knowledge and deepen our understanding.

There was a discussion around attachment to beliefs. Our Guiding Reverend explained that when we are first learning something new that it is natural for us to labour over it, to ponder, to enquire and analyse and to put extra effort into it. She used the analogy of learning to swim. When we first learn it takes every effort not to sink to the bottom of the pool – just to stay afloat. We have to put in a lot of effort. We have to stay focused and persevere in order to learn how to swim properly. It takes time. Then it gradually becomes more natural and we don’t need to put as much energy into it. Then once learnt it is never forgotten it becomes a normal and natural part of what we know and understand. It is internalized. So when we think about something like the Five Precepts it is a good idea to uphold the precepts strictly. After time it will become such a natural way of living that it takes very little effort to maintain them. We need external effort to internalise.

Venerable Miaoyu then went on to advise attendees that the Eight Precepts Retreat will be held on the 2nd of August – a whole day seminar where participants can have the opportunity to experience monastic life. Eight Precepts = the Five Precepts of No Killing, No Stealing, No Sexual Misconduct, No lying / cheating, No intoxicants; plus No Perfume, No make-up, No jewellery or unnecessary adornments. She encouraged everyone to attend.