DDM Holds the Ceremony for the 2014 ‘Day of Transmitting the Light’
On 8 February 2014, about 6000 followers who have taken refuge in the Three Jewels, attended the Grand Hall and the Multipurpose Stadium of the DDM World Center for Buddhist Education in Jinshan District of New Taipei City for the ceremony of the ‘Day of Transmitting the Light’ for 2014.
The meaning of ‘Transmitting the Light’ is in memory of the late Venerable Master Sheng Yen for his selfless and unlimited great vows, care and compassion to benefit all sentient beings and “uplift the character of humanity, and build a pure land on earth.”
In other words, ‘Transmitting the Light’ also means to transmit Master Sheng Yen’s compassionate vows and realize them to assist society towards serenity and good order from generation to generation.
The ritual was started by solemn Brahma-Chants with every participant anticipating the Abbot President of DDM, Venerable Guo Dong and 14 other Venerables in charge of lighting the participant’s lamps to move from the Grand Hall to the Multipurpose Stadium.
The Abbot President reinforced that the spirit that the late Venerable Master Sheng Yen brought to DDM and society is the vow of “Rising Great Compassion”. That is, we should devote ourselves to benefiting others without any reservation in our lifetime.
Besides the attendance of local people, there were also some overseas participants attending the event. Ms. Kao from Hong Kong, a volunteer in DDM Hong Kong for several years, attended the event for the first time and she said always feels the joy of Dharma when volunteering. She stated that from attending the event, she became more familiar with DDM and Master Sheng Yen’s teaching and purpose. Through attending the event, she vowed to introduce more and more lay people to Buddhism.
‘The Day of Transmitting the Light 2014’ ended with solemn joint Brahma-Chants. Everyone held a lamp of mind to vow to spread the virtue of Buddha Dharma and spread the virtuous vows to the places in need of brightness, warmth, and blessing.
(Reported by Tom Hsieh/Edited by DDM Australia Editing Team)