Learning the merits and significance of a Kasaya
The fourth class of the Sunday Buddhist College Winter Class started on July 17 with 30 students participating under the lecturing of Reverend Juexi. The class began with the short story of “Passing Lineage - The Story of Fo Guang Shan”, introducing “Way to Buddhahood” and the interior of the “Main Shrine” alongside the scenery around it. In the introduction of these venues, Venerable Master Hsing Yun gave students the idea in the meaning of “Fo Guang Shan is me, I am Fo Guang Shan”. Reverend Juexi then explained, because there are Dharma and Sutras, besides devotees, other heavenly beings and Bodhisattvas would also be in every Main Shrine and Buddha Hall in continuing the learning and teachings of the Buddha. Reverend Juexi also encourages the students to vow and practice helping all sentient beings with a kind heart and Buddha’s wisdom.
In the class, Reverend Juexi gave lecture to the topic “Triple Robe and Alms Bowl” and the benefits of it. The reverend too explained the extraordinary merits of the cassock, sometimes known as a kasa, jia sha or kasaya and how did it made Mountain Jiuhua (located in Anhui province, China), became dedicated to the protector of hell realms, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva. The reverend then told how the current Buddha, Sakyamuni Buddha pass down his cassock to the future Buddha, Maitreya Buddha even they may not meet each other; and why there is an offering to the Garuda (as known as Great Peng Golden-Winged Illumination King) during each afternoon chanting session.
The curious class asked questions of, what is the difference in between the cassock and a lay Buddhists Haiqing. Will we reincarnate in the Realms and Heavens? Reverend had answered all the questions and encouraged, in learning the Dharma, we must have the compassion and wisdom to help more people in being a better person; in learning the way of a Bodhisattva in this human realm, one must know how to assist in ceasing other people’s suffering and not only strive for own freedom.