Online Participation of Triple Gem Refuge and Five Precepts Ceremony by Devotees of FGS South Island

While the whole World was faced with darkness of Covid-19 pandemic, to uplift their faith in Buddhism and to facilitate in the cultivation of their Dharma wisdom, on 25th October 2020, Fo Guang Shan (FGS) New Zealand Abbess Venerable Manshin organised for her devotees a Triple Gem Refuge and Five Precepts Ceremony at FGS Temple North Island. FGS South Island, through internet connection with FGS North Island, participated in the ceremony. The day’s ceremony consisted of ordination, Dharma service and lunch break, in the morning; and carrying out Temple duties by participants, and Dharma Talk by Abbess Manshin, in the afternoon. This was equivalent to a day’s Diligence practice. In FGS South Island, more than 30 members of the public participated in the event online, 15 as either new devotees taking part in the Triple Gem Refuge and Five Precepts Ceremony, or as old devotees renewing their vows; and 17 others as observers to the ceremony.

Participants of the Triple Gem Refuge and Five Precepts Ceremony piously followed the Chief Ceremony Venerable throughout the whole process, vowing to protect the ways of the Buddha, to practice the Eight Noble Paths, and to propagate Humanistic Buddhism in the course. The scenes of the ceremony were indeed solemn and grand. FGS South Island Minister-in-charge Venerable Jue Xi thanked Abbess Manshin for enabling FGS South Island devotees to participate online in the Triple Gem Refuge and Five Precepts Ceremony. Venerable Jue Xi added that it is a huge blessing for one to seek Triple Gem Refuge and observe Five Precepts. Becoming the Practitioner of five Precepts marks the start of a new life in learning and practicing Buddhism more diligently, which can be construed as planting of a Dharma seed in one’s heart, which is, in turn, the same as planting a Dharma seed in all of one’s future lives. Devotees should treasure the opportunity of becoming the Practitioners of the Five Precepts, and should treat FGS Temple as their Dharma Home and visit it regularly.

In her address to the congregation, Abbess Manshin explained the meaning of ‘Faith and Legacy’, as interpreted by Humanistic Buddhism, i.e., to believe in the Dharma that was told by Buddha personally, to practice the Faith that meets the need of the people, to believe in the Faith that is pure and perfect. Buddhism was started 2600 years ago in India and was brought to China by various Buddhist Masters. It was later fused into the daily lives of the people by Master Hsing Yun through Humanistic Buddhism. The successful multi-directional developments brought about by Humanistic Buddhism have enabled the people to come into contact with Buddhism more easily. The word Legacy means the continuation of the lineage of the Dharma by passing on the Faith from generation to generation. It includes continuing with the virtues of Compassion, Dharma Wisdom and good Moral Values, as well as the continuation in the propagation of Buddhism. Abbess Manshin reminded the congregation to return to the Temple for recharging whenever they run short of positive energy. They will be able to discover the meaning of life by carrying out voluntary works in the Temple to help the masses. In her summing up, Abbess Manshin pointed out that Faith is the track that guides one’s direction in life and Legacy is the continuation of one’s Dharma practice and wisdom. One should always keep to the vows one has made in the Five Precepts Ceremony, and progress diligently with other devotees in the learning and practice of Buddhism, for this present life and other future lives.

Three and a half months old Hannah Ou was the youngest participant of the Triple Gem Refuge and Five Precepts Ceremony. She came with her parents and remained quiet and calm lying in their arms throughout the Ceremony. After her milk feeding during the rest time, Hannah fell asleep. But when the Ceremony restarted, Hannah responded to the chanting and immediately opened her eyes. Later when handed the certificate of becoming a Triple Gem devotee, Hannah held tightly onto the certificate as if she knew of her new status as a young Buddhist. Hannah’s mother was also a participant of the ceremony, and she claimed that making Hannah a Buddhist at this young age was the best gift they could give to Hannah.

Twenty odd years old youngster Arvin Chen from Indonesia was a volunteer in FGS South Island a year ago but had moved to Wellington because of work. This time around, he was back in Christchurch during the long Labour Day holiday, and just happened to visit the Temple on the day of Triple Gem Refuge and Five Precepts Ceremony. On learning of the Ceremony, Arvin immediately signed up to participate. Venerable Jue Xi then picked from a list the last remaining name Rong Xu as Arvin’s Dharma name. Arvin was happy to be given such a beautiful name with the meaning: ‘Sun rising from the East to brighten the World’. Arvin was moved by his good fortune and promised to bring along his chanting robe and five  precepts robe every time he returns to the Temple.