Eleven Novices Tonsured to Become the Buddha’s Disciples
On the morning of 15 September, 2012, Dharma Drum Mountain for Buddhist Education hosted a grand tonsure ceremony in the Grand Buddha Hall. Eleven novices had their heads shaved and joined the sangha.
Abbot President Venerable Guo Dong and Vice Abbot President Venerable Guo Hui presided over the ceremony and gave their warmest blessings. They encouraged the new bhikshus (monks) and bhikshunis (nuns) to not only stay on the Buddha path and pursue enlightenment, but also to guide others to be peaceful and happy, and let go of sufferings and vexations.
Venerable Guo Dong said that the word ‘tonsure’ implies that one is wholeheartedly dedicated to fulfillment of the bodhi mind, receiving the Buddha’s heritage, and devoting to practice for enlightenment.
Family members attended the ceremony to give their blessings and warm wishes to the newly tonsured bhikshus and bhikshunis to dedicate themselves fully to the Dharma and the interests of all sentient beings.
(translated by Jin Yang/edited by DDM Australia Editing Team)