Fo Guang Shan “Buddha’s Enlightenment Day” Dharma Service

On 20th January, a special Dharma function was held at Fo Guang Shan in order to commemorate the Buddha’s Enlightenment Day, which is also known as the “Dharma Day”.

Venerable Abbess Manshin led a congregation of 100 devotees to recite the Diamond Sutra, and perform prostrations after each chant of the Buddha’s venerated name, thus creating sincere connections with the Buddha.

Later during the Dharma talk, the Abbess explained that a cultivator who practices according to the Buddha’s examples will aspire to become a Buddha. A cultivator that recites Amitabha Buddha’s name will aspire to be reborn in the Pure Land. A cultivator that practices Ch’an Meditation aspires to obtain Great Awakening. Buddhism enables people to gain understanding through wise reasoning, hence the practice will progress accordingly in stages. A person that obtains enlightenment will possess the qualities below:

1. Turning conflicts into unification
2. Turning complexity into simplicity
3. Turning obstructions into clarity
4. Turning grudges into forgiveness
5. Turning inability into fulfilment
6. Turning entanglement into liberation

Thus nullifying all temptations within our Saha World.

The Abbess thanked all North Island BLIA committee members, regular members and volunteers for their diligent hard work in cooking “8 Treasure Porridges” for everyone to enjoy inside the dining hall. On this day of the Buddha’s Enlightenment; these delicious porridges transmitted joy and warmth through the crowd, allowing our bodies to be nourished, vexations to subside and lives filled with compassion and wisdom.