Dharma Function to Commemorate Sakyamuni Buddha’s Enlightenment Day

A special Dharma function to commemorate Sakyamuni Buddha’s Day of Enlightenment was held on 5th January. The function was presided by Venerable Abbess Manshin, where 70 devotees recited the Diamond Sutra and paid homage while chanting Namo Sakyamuni Buddha. All subsequent merits were transferred to sentient beings everywhere, wishing the New Year will bring fortune, wisdom and achievements in cultivation.

Taking inspirations from this day of the Buddha’s enlightenment, the Abbess addressed a question to the congregation of why do we practice Buddhism? What am I missing? Continuing from this contemplation, a recording of Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s poem titled Buddha, where are you, recited by Director of Office of the Founding Master was played to the congregation. The poem revealed that the Buddha resides in everyone’s mind. If we want to meet the Buddha, then we need to transform our ordinary consciousness into the Buddha mind. This is through the continuous cultivation of our thoughts, attitude and action. Eventually we will discover the true self.