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On April 14, 2024, the Fo Guang Shan North America Water and Land Dharma Service began at Hsi Lai Temple. In the afternoon, Venerable Tzu Jung, Executive Director of the Fo Guang Shan Sangha Affairs Committee, was invited to deliver a Dharma talk in the Auditorium. Venerable Tzu Jung explained the origins of the Water and Land Dharma Service and the appropriate mindset for conducting such a ceremony. She encouraged the Buddhist devotees to cultivate the "Three Supports" and practice the three acts of goodness of body, speech, and mind. Over 300 attendees listened attentively, with simultaneous English interpretation provided.
The final dedication of merits took place amid pouring rain in the afternoon. Devotees went to the Auditorium to hear Venerable Tzu Jung's Dharma talk despite the wind and rain. She elaborated on the full name of the ceremony: the "Majestic Dharma Assembly for the Universal Deliverance of Beings from the Ten Dharma Realms." Venerable Tzu Jung explained that it was initiated by Emperor Wu of the Liang Dynasty, who invited Chan Master Venerable Baozhi to compile the ritual procedures for liberating all sentient beings.
Venerable Tzu Jung reminded the assembly of the proper understanding required for holding a Water and Land Dharma Service. She clarified that although there are inner and outer platforms, there is no distinction of importance between them. All rituals must be conducted precisely according to the prescribed procedures, using the designated number of platforms, and reciting the required sutras without arbitrarily modifying the sequence.
She further explained the two types of Water and Land Dharma Services: the "Water and Land for All Surnames" and the "Water and Land for a Single Surname." The former allows everyone to make merits, greatly amplifying the ability to benefit sentient beings.
Venerable Tzu Jung emphasized that the most crucial aspect of attending a Dharma Service is personal growth. Beyond eliminating karmic obstacles, one must also accumulate spiritual provisions. She stressed the importance of having sufficient causes and conditions of merit and virtue.
To truly be a Buddhist, Venerable Tzu Jung urged, one needs to cultivate the three provisions of faith, vows, and practice. Merely having faith and making vows is insufficient; one must put them into diligent practice to strengthen one's faith and facilitate spiritual growth.
She encouraged combining the three acts of goodness of body, speech, and mind. Doing good deeds, speaking kind words, and harboring positive thoughts all beautify life. By beautifying one's life in this way, obstacles are reduced, allowing all endeavors to proceed smoothly.
Venerable Tzu Jung cited examples of the exemplary conduct of buddhas and bodhisattvas, such as the Ten Great Vows of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, which encompass various physical, verbal, and mental practices. The first vow, "to revere all buddhas," requires complete sincerity of body, speech, and mind to truly revere all buddhas.
She also shared the renowned saying of the Monk Budai: "With my hands, I plant a field full of rice seedlings, As I lower my head, I discover a sky in the water; To purify the six sensory roots is truly the Way, A step backward is actually a step forward.” Venerable Tzu Jung encouraged Buddhist practitioners to cultivate humility, emulating the virtuous and humbly learning from buddhas and bodhisattvas to grow on the bodhisattva path.
Furthermore, she recounted various stories about Water and Land Dharma Assemblies to illustrate the need for utmost sincerity and reverence when participating.
The Auditorium was full, overflowing beyond the original 200 seats. In addition to adding chairs on the floor, extra seating was arranged on both sides of the podium stage, all of which were fully occupied.
(Photos by Chihcheng Chang)
