First Week of Ksitigarbha Dharma Function

This year’s annual Ksitigarbha Dharma Function was held at the temple on 24th July. The day’s congregation of 260 people was led by Venerable Abbess Manshin to chant the “The Original Vows of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva Sutra”, repentance through paying homage and transferring merit to benefit deceased ancestors and all sentient beings of the Dharma realm.

After the Function during the Dharma talk the Abbess mentioned that while Bodhisattvas are practicing the Way they will have made Fundamental vows and unique vows. The Four Fundamental Vows are: “Sentient beings are boundless, I vow to liberate them; Afflictions are endless, I vow to sever them; Dharma methods are countless, I vow to learn them all; Buddhahood is unsurpassed, I vow to obtain it.” The Abbess further explained that beside the four Fundamental vows Bodhisattvas also need to make their unique vows, for example: Medicine Buddha’s 12 Great Vows, Samantabhadra Bodhisattva’s 10 Great Vows, Amitabha Buddha’s 48 Great Vows, and Sakyamuni Buddha’s 500 Great Vows. As is written on the “Ksitigarbha Sutra”, whenever Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva reaffirm the vow of “Only until all sentient beings have been liberated, will I obtain Bodhi”, which is the Fundemental Vow of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva. The “Ksitigarbha Sutra” also described the scenery of hell, which allows the read to fully appreciate the Bodhisattva’s incomprehensible power of vow, supernatural power and wisdom.

Finally the Abbess encouraged everyone to keep the Four Fundamental Vows as goals their lives. It is hope that through this July’s diligent cultivation we can gather everyone’s compassion and wisdom, and transfer them back to our ancestors so we can advance along the path to Buddhahood.