Full Moon Festival Celebrations at the Chan Meditation Center
On the night of 13 September 2008, the Chan Meditation Center of Dharma Drum Mountain (DDM) in New York celebrated the Chinese tradition of the Full Moon Festival. There were about 120 people present at the event, including Venerable Jinyi, Venerable Chuanhui, Venerable Mingkuan from the Fo En Monastery and Venerable Zhilung from the Pu Zhao Monastery.
The Abbot of the Chan Meditation Center, Venerable Guo Chan, said in his opening remarks that in the Buddhist scriptures, the bright moon is often portrayed metaphorically as one's pure mind. A moon covered by dark cloud suggests adversity. But if one can cultivate a joyful mood through positive practice, the pure mind will be gradually revealed, even in times of adversity.
The evening's program was full of joyful celebration and included Tai Chi Chuan, the Dong Chu Chorus, Chinese Fan Dancing, tasting vegetarian cuisines, riddle games and the introduction of both the Chinese and English publications of Venerable Master Sheng Yen. The program ended with Moonlight Chan Meditation, led by Venerable Guo Xing from the Dharma Drum Retreat Center with all the people present participating.
Venerable Guo Xing expressed that the Moonlight Chan Meditation required calming of one's vexatious mind, and purification of the mind to eliminate the ego.
In all, the event was very successful. The Chan Meditation Center Venerables warmly thanked every volunteer's selfless contribution towards paving a good path for the propagation of the Dharma.
(translated by Jin Yang/edited by DDM Australia Editing Team)
