“8 Realisations of a Bodhisattva Sutra” recitation competition

On the afternoon of 28th April, the “8 Realisations of a Bodhisattva Sutra” recitation competition was held inside Xian Yun Hall. The competition was joined by 11 teams from all sub-chapters. After a heated race, team “wondrous auspiciousness” from East 2 won the top prize due to their fluent recitation, beautiful creativity, solemn presence and solid team work.

Judges for this competition included Venerable Abbess Manshin, Venerable Juehao, NZ North Island BLIA president Dolly Tsai, and Fo Guang Chinese School principal Shu Jen Lu. All teams performed with speciality, and expressed the “8 Realisations of a Bodhisattva Sutra” with recitation, reading, singing and skits. They’ve also utilised instruments such as the wooden fish and hand bell, and many varieties of costume. East 2 sub-chapter’s team “wondrous Auspiciousness” utilised 8 different backing tracks to sing 8 sections of the Sutra. Their solemn and dignified voices, fluent and righteous delivery won first prize from the judges. Central sub-chapter’s team “Compassion” won the 2nd prize with a short comedy skit. YAD’s team “Prajna” won the 3rd prize with their cute “class room” styled presentation. East one sub-chapter’s team “All Encompassing” won the 4th prize with their elegant all female recitation. English sub-chapter’s team “Lotus Link” gave an astonishing special performance where they recited the sutra both in Mandarin and English with dignified and respectful voices. All competing teams joyfully received their prizes.

Afterwards the Abbess explained to everyone about the source of the “8 Realisations of a Bodhisattva Sutra” where the honoured elder Aniruddha asked the Buddha about “How to achieve enlightenment for Lay people”. This sutra was translated into Chinese by the Parthian monk An shigao during the late Han Dynasty. Right now it’s still the best compass for Buddhism’s lay disciples. Within the short 327 words, the Buddha taught everyone how to establish a diligent attitude when it comes to upholding precepts while living, thus making it a treasured text for teaching people on how to live in the mundane world. When Fo Guang people were diligently memorising this sutra for 3 month, it’s actually a method to cultivate and uphold precepts. It’s hoped that everyone continue diligently and never retreat from practicing the Dharma.