Fo Guang Shan (North Island) NZ Great Compassion Repentance Dharma Service

On 24 October, it was Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva’s Enlightenment Day and Abbess Manshin presided over the Great Compassion Repentance Dharma Service. 70 devotees attended to pray for world peace and to emulate the Bodhisattva’s compassion. Thereafter, Abbess explained the function of the temple which serves as our spiritual home and explained the differences between spiritual life and ordinary life. Ordinary life would cease when the body stops functioning while our spiritual life would carry on from one life to another. Therefore, learning dharma is to cultivate wisdom and compassion and to unfold our inner potential. One should learn to embrace all sentient beings with an open heart and cultivate towards a positive, energetic and vibrant life. She hopes everyone will be his/her own Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva and be fearless of the journey ahead along the path to Buddhahood.