Sutra Copying Cultivation Program Follows Masters Spirit

In response to ‘One Million Heart Sutras in the Buddha’ program, a second Sutra-transcription cultivation session was held at Fo Guang Shan South Island on 8th January. Temple Supervisor Venerable Juexi led over 30 devotees in reciting ‘Sakyamuni Buddha’s name’, chanting the ‘Heart Sutra’ and transcribing the ‘Heart Sutra’.

Devotees, with all their focus, transcribed the Sutra and returned the merits gained back to their family and friends. This Sutra-transcription cultivation session was also attended by six Westerners; although they could not read the Sutra, they still transcribed it with their utmost attention and heart. This was very surprising for everyone to see and the determination is something that we should all learn from.

At Fo Guang Shan South Island, two months will be devoted to Sutra transcription, and the date of conclusion is aimed at sometime in March. Everyone who has come to experience the joys of Dharma has aimed to share this message with their friends and family.

During the Dharma Talk, Venerable Juexi explained the meaning behind the transcription of the Sutra, noting that it is not the speed at which you transcribe that matters, it is the focus, devotion, clarity and respect which matters. The Venerable also said that the value of words and literature is unfathomable, especially when written with brush and ink.

The Venerable also explained to everyone the one-stroke calligraphy by Venerable Master Hsing Yun, noting that Venerable Master completes all his words with the brush never leaving the paper. In the space of several months, he had produced 1000 pieces of calligrapghy for charity sales raising funds for the ‘Education Trust Fund’, which is used to promote public service activities which support the welfare of the community and purify people’s minds.

Venerable Juexi encouraged everyone to take Venerable Master Hsing Yun as their good role model, and share with their others this rare opportunity to copy the Sutra, plant good seeds and accumulate merits which may lead them to be reborn as a Human in their next lives.