Celebrating the Buddha’s Enlightenment Day

Fo Guang Shan Temple (North Island) celebrated the Buddha’s Enlightenment Day from 22 to 24 January and free vegetarian congee was given out at lunchtime during these three days. The Buddha’s Enlightenment Day dharma service was held on 24 January, the last day of celebration, when 100 devotees were present to celebrate this special occasion by chanting the Diamond Sutra and reciting the Buddha’s name.
After the Dharma service Venerable Abbess Manshin explained the significance and meaning of Nirvana. Nirvana is a state of being free from suffering representing supreme wisdom and compassion, when the root causes of craving and aversion have been extinguished. The Abbess encouraged everyone to put the Dharma into practice; to repent and reflect on one’s daily thoughts, speech and actions in order to obtain the supreme state of Nirvana.
At the end of the service, Venerable Abbess Manshin wished everyone ‘Awe-inspiring Virtue and an Ocean of Prosperity’, with wishes that the world will be filled with an auspicious peace likened to bathing in an ocean of prosperity and compassionate light.