Thousands Take Vow to Become Buddhists
Over a thousand people gathered at the Nung Chan Monastery in Beitou District of Taipei City on 26 September 2010 to make vows to follow the teachings of the ‘Five Precepts’ and become upholders of Buddhism.
Before commencing the Refuge-Taking Ritual, Abbot President Venerable Guo Dong expounded the meaning of ‘refuge-taking’ and the ‘five precepts’ to the participants at the monastery.
The Abbot President said that the act of taking refuge is the first step of the process to eliminating vexations in the mind and following the teachings of the Dharma, the Sangha and the Buddha to enable us to maintain peace and clarity. On the other hand, the Five Precepts acts like a boat that can take us to the realm of pure land. It also helps us to demonstrate the wisdom of Buddhism and assists others in time of misery.
The Abbot President finally encouraged all the new Buddhists to cherish lives and reflect on their own while staying positive in adversities, cultivating merits and being a diligent Bodhisattva.
(by Jin Yang/edited by DDM Australia Editing Team)