Fo Guang Shan (North Island) English Saturday Service

The regular English Saturday Service was held on 16 January under the guidance of Venerable Miao Yu. Twelve members practiced Tai Chi followed by motive and slow walking meditation across the field of merit. They meditated outside in front of the main shrine enjoying the breeze. Venerable Miao Yu guided the members to contemplate on the theme ‘cause and effect’. She asked everyone to reflect on the questions like: what determines one’s appearance, destiny, life etc, and self-reflect on the things that easily stir up our negative emotions. She explained that attachments will bring suffering and pain to oneself and negative emotions may be due to one’s past experiences or even experiences in a past life.
She revised last weeks discussion topic on ‘wealth’, which is the first of the Five Dusts (or Desires), and members shared their thoughts and reflections. Venerable Miao Yu then explained the importance of the second ‘dust’ which is ‘form’. She said that most people are attracted by handsome or beautiful looks and that excessive affection will only lead to continuous rebirth in the six realms. She encouraged everyone to treat the elderly as our parents, elder brother or sister and treat the younger generation as our sons or daughters. In this way, one is able to keep attachment in perspective.
The members who attended the English service find this service practical and beneficial to their daily practice.