Be Blessed by the Sound of Lotus Bell; Greet the New Year with Great Light
Dharma Drum Mountain held its yearly Grand Prayer Ritual at the DDM World Center for Buddhist Education on February 18, 2015 which was also the eve of the Lunar New Year. The Lotus Bell (from the Lotus Sutra) was rung 108 times to greet the coming new year. At 10:00 pm, the Abbot President of DDM, Ven. Guo Dong as well as the Vice Abbot Presidents, Ven. Guo Hui and Ven. Guo Pin started ringing the Lotus Bell together and completed the last ring with the President of Taiwan, Ying-Jeou Ma, Vice President, Dun-Yi Wu, Mayor of New Taipei City, Eric Chu as well as other honorable guests. DDM also shared its slogan of blessing for 2015, that is, “Great Light” by projecting it throughout this event.
When referring to recent disasters that occurred one after another, the Abbot President appealed to the public to pray for harmony and peace to all beings in this world. He indicated that those who suffered in these disasters were actually Bodhisattvas who took up different forms and identities in order to share our suffering and thus lessen the suffering of all sentient beings.
In addition, the Abbot President implored the public to be more compassionate, handle all problems or situations wisely, live harmoniously and to treat others with respect in this new year. In offering his blessings, he recounted the Eight Positive Tips to Deal with Expectations: It is inevitable for everyone to have expectations; however, excessive desires should be controlled. Do not covet things we do not deserve but have faith in our future prospect. Keep disappointment and despair at bay. Embrace our aspirations to keep our hope alive.
This is the eighth year that President Ma attended the Grand Prayer Ritual and this year, he wished everyone to have a peaceful, healthy and happy new year full of hope. He also quoted a phrase from the late Master Sheng Yen’s dharma talk: “Seek a peaceful mind and you will find a peaceful refuge; treasure others and you will find fortune and happiness”. Last but not least, Vice President Wu and Mayor Chu wished for peace and a great future for the nation respectively.