New Year’s Deliverance of Ancestors Dharma Function at Fo Guang Shan – Living in the Present Moment with the Buddha in our Hearts

The annual New Year’s Deliverance of Ancestors Dharma Function was held at Fo Guang Shan on 26th January. The function was presided by Venerable Abbess Manshin and attended by over 100 devotees. The “88 Buddhas Repentance” Text was chanted through the proceedings, wishing all merits to be transferred to our ancestors and all sentient beings, where the conditions of their existence will be pleasantly improved.

Afterwards the Abbess spoke about the many Schools, traditions and methods within Mahayana Buddhism. For the Pure Land method, the importance of keeping a respectful heart and cultivation of our action, speech and thoughts were emphasised. For the Ch’an method, it is important to maintain humility, self reflection, upholding right thoughts. When we practice, we should remember the motto of “When the Buddha is within one’s heart, then the Way appears in the present moment, Ch’an is found within meditative concentration and compassion is found within wisdom”. By using the triple practice of faith, vows and action to correctly decipher the Buddha’s teachings, his footsteps can be followed. We should encourage each other to have unwavering hearts toward the Way.