NZ Fo Guang Shan Saturday Service

On the morning of 7th September, the 9 participants of Saturday Service practiced walking meditation, sitting meditation, contemplation and listened to Buddhist philosophy under the guidance of Venerable Miaoyu.

By using easily relatable terms and explanations, Venerable Miaoyu expressed to everyone about the meaning of living in this world. Utilising every person’s different karma to analyse cause and effect and the cycle of rebirth. As an example, in order to learn and practice the Dharma at this very moment, it would require the condition of having:
• Fo Guang Shan North Island temple as a venue
• A Venerable that’s able to communicate through English
• Having audiences present that’s not hindered by reasons of family obligations, social obligations and sickness, thus able to arrive at this location to listen.
Hence the resulting effect can only be achieved when the collective karma and conditions are right.

Many people complain about the various dissatisfactions encountered throughout life, which can be expressed through doubt, karma and suffering. Doubts caused by ignorance has created many unwholesome karma during our past lives. Then under the influence of these past karmas our current physical bodies receives the retribution effects as suffering. This suffering thus cause more doubts in this current life which in turn creates new karmas. Hence we will continue to in cycle of rebirth and experience the karmic results in our next life.

Venerable Miaoyu encouraged everyone to always contemplate their short comings, learn to change and turning one’s thoughts from negative to positive. Remove self attachment thus purifying body and mind. If we sow good seeds then we will receive good fruits. Destiny can only be controlled by ourselves.