Fo Guang Shan (North Island)NZ Emperor Liang’s Repentance Service-Blessing for the Christchurch and Japan Earthquakes Victims

Fo Guang Shan (North Island)NZ held The Emperor Liang’s Repentance Service from 28 May to 5 June to dedicate merits to the victims of the Christchurch and Japan earthquakes. A purification ceremony of the Pagoda was also carried out.

On 28 May, the dharma service started at 8.30am where 200 devotees from NZ, Taiwan and Indonesia, etc participated. Abbess Manshin presided over the ceremony and led the devotees along the Path to the Buddhahood, Front shrine and then to the pagoda for the purification ceremony which touch many hearts. Thereafter, the devotees went back to the main shrine for the repentance dharma service, hoping to purify one’s body, speech and mind through the chanting.

Abbess Manshin explained the origin and the significance of Emperor Liang’s Repentance Service, which was specially dedicated to Emperor Liang’s wife and performed in a Royal Court. Thus the dharma hall was decorated extensively. She further expounded the contents of the repentance which also involves prostrations to a great number of Buddhas and encouraged everyone to attend the ten-day service with full attendance, living life to the fullest.