Third Session of 2016 Ksitigarbha Dharma Function during the Filial Piety Ullambana Month – Revealing the Wish Fulfilling Mani Pearl through Elimination of Afflictions and Ignorance

The third session of the 2016 Ksitigarbha Dharma Function was held at the temple on 7th August. It was presided over by Venerable Abbess Manshin, who led a congregation of over 250 to recite the “Original Vows of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva Sutra” and chant “Namo Great Vow Ksitigarbha Rajaya Bodhisattva”, whereby all merits were then transferred to benefit all deceased ancestors.

During the Dharma talk the Abbess explained the meaning of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva’s title, which is translated to “Earth Treasure Bodhisattva”. “Earth” can contain all living beings, allow all things to grow, and nurture all wholesome roots. It can be relied on by all things and cannot be destroyed. “Treasure” means something that is hidden and stored away. In this case these treasures contain the three virtues of Dharma Body, Prajna, and liberation. The Abbess further quoted the Buddha’s words: “All sentient beings possess the Tathagata’s mark of wisdom and virtue” to emphasise that Buddhism teaches that our intrinsic nature are fundamentally pure and complete. Ksitigarbha’s complete possession of “Tathagatagarbha” is represented by the wish fulfilling Mani Pearl in his hand, which can be used to relieve sentient beings of their sickness and suffering. What’s more is that every person possesses their own wish fulfilling pearl. As long as we can increase our wisdom we can eliminate afflictions, ignorance, and confusion, whereby reveal our own Mani Pearl.

Finally the Abbess encourages one to learn according to Ksitigarbha’s wisdom, powers and eloquence. This will allow us to cultivate an unshakable meditative concentration that is as stable as the ground on earth. She hopes everyone can take advantage of this month’s intensive cultivation to turn our consciousness into wisdom, so we can become a enriched and energetic person that is able to travel from the shore of afflictions to the shore of liberation.