Vow to Complete 100 Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva Sutras

The annual “Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva Dharma Function in Repaying Debt of Gratitude and Filial Piety to Parents and Ancestors” was held at 6.30pm on August 5 in Fo Guang Shan (FGS) South Island. FGS New Zealand’s Abbess, Venerable Abbess Manshin presided over 60 Buddhist devotees in reciting the name of “Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva (Namo Dayuan Dizang Wang Pusa)” and the chanting of “Sutra of the Past Vow from the Earth Store Bodhisattva (Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva)” together with “Offering to the Deceased” dedicated to all sentient beings and those in the Christchurch earthquake. Even with a lot of those who attended couldn’t understand the Chinese characters in the sutras, with their devoted heart, they too followed in finishing the chanting of the sutras which was divided into three parts.

Venerable Abbess Manshin then gave a small talk on filial piety and the needs for us to repay our parents, how should we make them proud and most importantly to make them understand the Dharma so they won’t fall into a lower realm; besides that, we must also know on how to build merits for our own self and be one that does not give trouble to others. We must also remember to be compassionate to all sentient beings. Lastly, Abbess encouraged everyone in following Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva’s spirit, come to the temple more frequently and chant the Bodhisattva’s name to build merits with the help of the Bodhisattva’s strength.

The Buddhist devotees have also vowed in completing 100 “Sutra of the Past Vow from the Earth Store Bodhisattva (Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva)” in the temple, where one complete sutra, consist of three parts. A morning session and an evening session will be held in the Buddha Hall everyday; where each part will be chanted in each session for three weeks. With the encouragement of the Abbess and hearts of filial piety in all of the devotees, there is confidence in everyone that it is going to be a success. Everyone that attended were also being informed that, on May 12, FGS South Island will have the “Amitabha Pure Land Thrice Yearning Congregation Recitation and Chanting”. All are welcome.