Great Compassion Repentance Dharma Function and Taking Refuge In the Triple Gem Ceremony

On 16th March, a Great Compassion Repentance Dharma Function and Refuge Taking Ceremony was held in order to celebrate Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva’s Day of Enlightenment. On the day, over 200 devotees gathered to repent in front of the Buddha. Where defilement within the mind is removed, action, speech and thoughts are purified and wisdom is uncovered.

Venerable Abbess Manshin presided over the Refuge Taking Ceremony for over 70 new Buddhist aspirants, including local Kiwis, Maoris and one member of Mexican descent. Under the lead of the Abbess, they recited the “Heart Sutra”, made declarations of commitment and repented for past transgressions, whereby becoming Buddha’s disciples.

The Abbess explained that Taking Refuge in the Buddha is like establishing an electrical station within one’s mind. It can illuminate our mind with brightness, from which the light can bring warmth to others. We can also realise that “we are a Buddha”. Taking Refuge in the Dharma is like establishing a water reservoir within our mind to store waters of the Dharma. As long as we abide by the principals of the Dharma, our endeavours can always succeed. Taking Refuge in the Sangha is like sowing a fertile field within our mind to nurture our wisdom. Where we can understand wise teachings from monastic teachers and receive positive energy from these good Dharma friends. The Abbess also encouraged all new Refuge takers to uncover the “Triple Gem of our intrinsic nature” with the aid of “Triple Gem that are physically present”. The Dharma nature is everyone’s intrinsic nature. If we take the Dharma as our essence, then we can rely upon it to practice as the Sangha and reach Buddhahood.