Transmitting the Light in Memory of the Late Venerable Master Sheng Yen
The Dharma Assembly of Transmitting the Light was held at 7:00 p.m. on February 27, 2015 in memory of the late Venerable Master Sheng Yen, the founder of DDM, who passed away six years ago. This ceremony was simultaneously held at Dharma Drum Mountain and its affiliated monasteries, such as the Nung Chan Monastery, Anhe Branch Monastery and Zhaiming Monastery, just to name a few. Ven. Guo Dong, the Abbot President of DDM, led the DDM Sangha as well as nearly a thousand devotees in lighting lamp bowls to symbolize the continued wisdom of the Buddha as well as upholding the late Venerable Master Sheng Yen’s great compassionate vows.
The core spirit of Transmitting the Light Dharma Assembly is based upon “The Practice of Bodhisattvas”, written by the late Venerable Master Sheng Yen in 1990; Bodhicitta, the portrayal of spiritual environment, is the essence of Chinese Buddhism. The late Venerable Master Sheng Yen also emphasized that the Pure Lands of the Buddhas as well as all living environments are creations of “minds”. Hence, we should strive to build pure land on earth just as numerous Buddhas built pure lands with their great compassionate vows. In his speech, Ven. Guo Dong indicated that the Bodhi-mind is cultivated through clean and pure deeds of body, speech and mind.
So, how do we focus on creating pure lands? Ven. Guo Dong pointed out that pure land exists in the absence of greed, anger, attachment, arrogance, doubt, wrong view, anxiety and vexation; pure land can be experienced in the instance when we are free from delusion and unaffected by the external environment. This pure land on earth is also the late Venerable Master Sheng Yen’s greatest wish for all sentient beings. In culminating the ceremony, the Abbot President led devotees in making a pledge to uphold Master Sheng Yen’s compassionate vows.
Recalling the grace and guidance of the late Venerable Master Sheng Yen, Pan Hui Wan from Keelung said that Buddhism changed her life; after attending lessons on Buddhism and practicing, she can now appreciate sharing and being altruistic. She vowed to continue supporting DDM’s ideals as well as propagating Master Sheng Yen’s teaching. On the other hand, Chen Yi Ting did not have the opportunity to receive Master Sheng Yen’s teaching; she usually attends the joint practice in DDM’s Yi Lan office. Nevertheless, she agrees with DDM’s ideals and in attending this ceremony, she hoped to share the blessing symbolizes by the Dharma lamp with those around her.
Ms. Liu who has attended this event for six consecutive years indicated that after taking refuge in the Three Jewels, i.e., the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha, at the Dharma Drum Mountain, she always strives to be happy and serves as a volunteer when time permits. In addition, she prays for all suffering beings to develop compassion, attain wisdom and be rid of delusion. She vowed to learn, practice, support and promote the Buddha dharma besides helping all sentient beings to be free from suffering and to be happy.
The 2015 Dharma Assembly of Transmitting the Light ended with Buddhist chants that resonated deeply in the heart of every devotee. It is hoped that this ceremony could spur the public to continue propagating Chinese Chan Buddhism as well as to promote DDM’s ideal to every corner of the world.
(Translated by Tom Hsieh/Edited by Leefah)