Master Sheng Yen’s Chronicle Published on Feb. 20, Dharma Drum Mountain’s Transmitting the Light of Dharma Day
Dharma Drum Mountain held the Transmitting the Light of Dharma ritual at Nung Chan Monastery and several other branch monasteries in Taiwan, at 7 p.m. on February 20, to commemorate DDM founder Master Sheng Yen’s lifelong practice, as well as his compassionate wisdom in inspiring people to enter the gate of the Dharma.
DDM’s abbot president Ven. Guo Dong stressed the importance of remembering the guidance of Master Sheng Yen and passing on the Buddha’s teachings by sharing the ideals and spirit of DDM, as well as the approaches and methods of practice it promotes. The venerable encouraged people to take “emulating and learning to be like Guanyin Bodhisattva” as a lifetime practice and join the bodhisattva path, as an effort to light up the future for society and the world.
Master Sheng Yen once said, “What I am unable to accomplish in this lifetime, I vow to push forward through countless future lives. What I am unable to accomplish personally, I pray for everyone to join forces to promote.” Held annually at all of DDM’s monasteries, the Transmitting the Light of Dharma ritual also serves as a reminder of the Master’s repeated teaching: “Do not be afraid of difficulties and hardships if it is for the sake of benefitting sentient being; to help sentient beings leave suffering behind is to attain peace and happiness ourselves, even if we have to endure hardships.”
There was also a special event to celebrate the formal publication of Master Sheng Yen’s Chronicle. Based on the Master’s wish as stated in his will, the DDM sangha asked Prof. Lin Qixian and his wife to contribute more updated information to the Chronicle up to when the Master died, which can be used as historical materials. At 2 p.m. on February 20, a book launch for the Chronicle organized by Dharma Drum Corporation began at the Anhe branch, as an opportunity for people to remember the Master’s inspiring teaching and guidance.
According to Prof. Lin, the Chronicle contains four volumes, of which the last two are dedicated to the description of the final ten years of the Master’s life. Containing more content than that for his first 70 years, this part records the continual transformation of his life as the time progressed, with his passing away marking the most perfect moment in his life. Although the Master emphasized in his will that he did not wish any books in his memory to be published after his death, devotees and DDM’s followers at home and abroad still want to express their lasting gratitude toward him in some way. Every year, people would make efforts and take time to attend the ritual to commemorate the Master, while in the mean time strengthening their cherished faith in the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha.
Ven. Guo Dong said that it was significant to publish the Chronicle on the seventh anniversary of the Master’s death and the Transmitting the Light of Dharma Day. He urged participants to take the Chronicle as a treasure to help purify people’s minds and society, and turn sentiments into action to promote and share the Dharma.
Translated by Frances Liu (劉珮如) and edited by Chiacheng Chang (張家誠)