Fo Guang Shan Christchurch launched the 2024 Filial Piety Month Ullambana Festival Dharma Function on 11th August. FGS NZ Venerable Abbess Manshin was invited to preside over the Dharma Function. Nearly 80 devotees recited the Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva’s Original Vow Sutra. In close response to the Abbess’s recitation and prayers, the congregation devoutly recited the Sutra and diligently participated in the prayers.
Abbess Manshin praised the congregation for seizing the opportunity to return to the Temple early in the morning to take part in the Dharma Function, noting that this was a sign of filial piety towards their ancestors. Abbess encouraged all to cherish the teachings of the Buddha and not to deify the Buddha. Although Buddhism has branched into Theravada Buddhism, Tibetan Buddhism and Mahayana Buddhism, all of these embrace the same principle of the Three Dharma Seals. Among them, Mahayana Buddhism treats the Eight Schools of Mahayana Buddhism equally and among the many virtues, Compassion and Wisdom are two of the most important. Only with wisdom can compassion arise which generates a strong vow to do good deeds.
True Bodhi Mind cannot be easily defeated. However, when one does not have a deep understanding of Buddhism, they will easily regress. Buddhist scriptures can withstand questioning because they are compilations of the Buddha’s answers to his disciples’ questions. Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva is an incredible Bodhisattva, always thinking about benefiting all living beings. If one habitually looks for excuses when facing problems in life, it means their thinking is being hindered by greed, anger, and ignorance. Every human being has something to offer. The accumulation of everyone’s contributions, little by little, can unleash the power of collective efforts.
Abbess Manshin encouraged all to abide in the four objects of indestructible faith and maintain absolute confidence in the Buddha, Dharma, Sangha and Precepts. Abbess stressed that if we become too intoxicated with the laws of this mundane world, we will not be able to enter into the ways of the Dharma world. Therefore, cultivating Bodhi Mind and Compassion in our daily life and helping each other to become better beings is the Bodhisattva’s vow to pursue these paths.